Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1848-01-12
INTERESTING DISCUSSION.

i
The correspondent Of The Baltimore AMERICA
furnishes an Interesting Iepoft of the discussion
in the Senate on the motinn of Mr. crilicndente
Change The ten regiment bin into volunteer force
instead ofregulars.
Mr.. Crit:endcn thought the force at present
there sufficient TO hold the positions already taken,
as well as 70 make occasional
ffien had fought the greates, battles Of modern
times or " may warfare. Gen edot.haa fought
Che splendid baitlcs before Mexico and took the
whole country from Vera Cruz 70 the city Of
Mexico. The force now in the Valley Of the
Rio Grande was 10, 600 men. and the force under
Sco, was r., LOG regulars and rs, 050 volunteers
making the whole force 30, l56 men. How could
an argument be'framcd to show that any larger
force was necessary
This force left 5000 fbr active service, and
for no purposes Of conquest were more men ne
lcessary. Mr. Criiicnden argued that no large
army woald ever again be raised The head Of
the Mexican Government had been taken, every
army had keen broken up, and the country was
gircn over 50 faction and confusion. There
would be between 10000 and 100000 troops, if
all were to Be called ont
There were under Gen Wool, in Inc valley Of
the Rio Grande, 7.00s men; and under Scott be.
tween 80 and % eco He could NOT conceive Of
any state Of facts which wsuld require de pro
Posrd increase Of our Army,
He expressed alarm II he exieat IL cur Army.
and more alarm when hescncnbered the.cosl Of
gUope Every soldier raised cost the Govern.
rnens 81 .00e per snnams and \ was lime 10 stop
70 CONT this cost and TO ask ourselves IL twas
worth while % incurthis cost.
Mr.. Cas- replied and couiended that all these
troops were necessary, or haiti not necessary,
they should Be placed atthe dissection Of the
President
Mr.. Davis advocated regulars as better than
volunteers, and gave his reasons al some length,
q growing Out Of Observation-Disclosures and want
Il discipline.
Mr.. Daviss speech commanded much amen
ton. and was somewhat pro,raeied aud very in
iercsting from the position in which he stood.
Mr.. Caihoun thought The men could not be ne
qnircd under six Or eight months. and vet the
course pursued here forbid asingle day fer de-
bate
Tbs lnasincss q war. AR G. remarked, IS 4
scrious one Il creates an enthusiasm which il
supports. Every regiment raised crra.cd feel
ing for war. twas better TO enlarge he recruit
ing service, and he bcliesed thai resfuits could
bc had II no delay, howevrr, WAS sllowel, 81
was better 10 have volunteers for they could soon,
ef be called into service.
& Mr.. Calhoun spoke Of Tho iinmeASt palfonaee
&c The Executive incident 10 war, and owned hat
i was alarming The Secretary Of War said
hat 40 900 men were an thar were Seccssar,r 10
conquer ne whole q Mexico and sst course
vas pursued here . can forth more ghan enough
10 conquer dc whole country. Was his The
game d Be pnrspcd1
Mr.. Calhoun complaincd sf<hc determination
made kcrc % compel Scnaiors 10 vote npon ones
lions this son befEc arowing what were he
Of The Administration.
When the question was called uposl the anend-
nen,. AR Calhoun did no, rose, bni the amend
laens was cauisd IS iol9 1lr. johnson Of Az.
Ind Mr. johnson ef La voting viii he msior;-