Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-01-22
CONGRESSIONAL.

INoRrAsE on THE ARMY.

military force
noses 10 raise ten addoaa regiments ten thousand mr,
rank and 6le in addition the regular army existing,
and under the control Of this Government This hh has
been reported by the Military Comniec IN conformity with
The recommendation OF the President and inform
ed that will be followed by another BILL giving 10 the En
ecuye authority whenever he may think proper % exercise
it, to call twenty thousand volunteers These are The
measures which will form the subject Of our action a this
time BY the existing laws, the President OF the Uniied
States has the basis of army OF sixty thousand men
There thirty regiments Of regulars, believe and about
the same number Of volunteers which have been author
ized be called into service during this war; cannot be
precise, however, The number Of men who have been
actually in service, but is certain that oil the regiments Of
regulars filled up there would be about twenty eight
and understand there are about thirty Thousand Volunteers
II is that of this number have not in the field
under the actual command Of officers than forty five
thousands but is sufficient to say that the President Of the
United States, commander nchief Of the army Of this
confederacy has the power call out at this tme put
the in his power to pay themsixy thousand armed
men. He asks that should add to this number ten
regiments, to be raised by enlsments and suppose, by
another BILL twenty thousand volunteers to be placed his
disposal, making in oil ninety thousand men. These, oge
he with the and marines, which are also portion OF
the armed force, would make, they were called into actual
service, one hundred thousand men.
History generally takes notice Of the prominent points
in the progress and policy Of nations, and must certainly be
remarked in atemes that the largest army raised TO
be concentrated upon single object by the Republic Of
of her neghbo and the only other Republic the
North American continent Postenty sir, will have right
to inquire why it that the councils Of the United States
had thought proper the highest attribute which, per-
haps be exeed for carrying Of this description
We indeed told by the President those who speak Tor
him this hoo that although this number of men may be
at his disposa-alhough he may call them out under the
thoy of existing awsyet he is not likely to have
two-thrds of that number actually in service.
Sir, this leads to another question which am bound to
notice in passing Why is that the Executive, as we are
ky
has authority raise for carrying this in the heart of
Mexico Why is it Does arise from popular aversion
against entering into such service this II 1t
for the defence Of SOIL do you believe that five times
that number could not be called into requision Sir at the
voice OF the Executive of the United States ten times that
number would spring np ready to defend the national honor
and the soil Of this Republic. And must here make another
remark all parties in the United States TO concur In
the justice and proprety of carrying this war, would
for that the President could not that was out OF
his power raise the number of troops which the laws OF the
country authorize him to raise But sir the very fact that
he unable to raise these troops by the which have
been put in his power H think, one of the oens which
wise ruler should regard in administering the rushe sacred
trust-that is committed to him.
Before, sir proceed further discuss this bill, must be
permitted advert some of the tendencies of this
And in doing beg leave to address myself particularly
the propositions for amendment which have had the honor
to submit do not propose by the amendment to withhold
from the President the troops such number OF troops
may be required but propose TO raise them in different
manner. And know that am likely to incur the censure
of those who sustain the of the Executive and per-
haps shall the criticisms of those who speaking
cohedr0 m,y find fault with the which have
suggested Sir have not brought forward my proposition
without consulting those who better acquainted with the
subject than am myself have brought 1t forward ior
the purpose OF hwang the oi the President But
sir this conjuncure of affairs which calls upon every
who feels interest in the welfare Of the Republic to express
himself freely, fearessy and openly upon all matters that
before This is not the first time that have found
necessary differ with the President regards of
the wice has advised for carrying this
and happy thaI did contribute a; the last session. TO
defeat OF those measures, which, my opinion, would
have been inconsistent with the public interests But think
that this is position Of affairs in which every should
make his views clearly understood. Ii is time when
should pause and look around for solemny believe
that step taking going deeper aud deeper
into the labyrinth Of dangerous and inexcabc policy
from which We may find clue for an honorable and safe
retreat.
There those who look the fair side Of things always
and the President had recommended that should put at
his disposal two hundred thousand men, believe there
those this oo and in the other branch Of Congress- who
would have voted cr il, if other ground than that
came from the Executive who Is responsible for this war;
believe they would have voted for number of men which
the President might have called for and for ak the schemes
the magnificent and splendid schemes be carried into opera
ton by the Execuve-f that would require army OF two
hundred thousand Yes, sir, il we 60 with this
enterprise of conquerng and subjugang the Republic Of
Mexico-ciher with view Of absorbing the whole OF that
Republic, and making part Of this concderacy, or OF
making her dependant poyince- would not be an extra.
VACANT proposition for the President ask for two hundred
thousand enable him do with security and safety
There those who looking objects in the distant hozon
sometimes neglect look the clouds which hang above
heads, and which ready to burst upon And that
the with gentlemen this OCCASION who, while
they ndugng themselves in splendid visions Of revou-
onzng Mexico, and making her part Of this Republic, or
making her in degree dependant us negecting
TO look at the dangers which surround institutions
therefore have introduced this amendment in measure
that might have opportunity Of examining particu-
lay into the tendency Of the that hereafter to
be proposed. Ny amendmen-or address myself
more particularly in the first instance that-goes only
far add the different regiments Of the armythe rifle
men, the infantry the artillery, and the dagoonsalthough
by unguaded omission the Dragons to have been
le add say, each Of these regiments three hun
drcd BY adding thirty each Of the compa
|nes, win give regiment paper oftheen hundred men;
md for this increase only propose add two suban off
ccr-and in at allpoyded however there
be FIVE officers to each company and in this way shall raise
hundred many to be sure, the President
has asked for and the committee recommended But can
raise in this way thousand five hundred without
the necessity for than very few additional officers
have this recommendation in favor Of my syslemha will
certainly be the efficient mode Of raising additional troops
for active service. think this position cannot very well be
troops infused and mingled with dis
cplned soldiers readily assimilated and rendered
efficient; and all the military will tell you They
will be better oiceed too, having those officers who ex
perenced know there those who entertain the belief
that officers be selected from civil life, equal in every
specf for such war this trained and educated officers
I Mr. presdent neyer