The republic., 1851-08-06
The War Department and Its Finances.

The Union, it seems, is not yet tired of this
subject. 1t complains that the frontier is Sin
adequately protected" On this point we hazard
the assertion that there never has been mo
ment since the acquisition of our new Terrific
ries that they were so efficiently protected as
at the present time. That small predatory in
cursions are now and then made by the Indians,
that murders are occasionally committed is un-
doubtedly true. The extent and peculiar char
acter of the country, its Businesses, It's vast de-
sert plains, and its impenetrable thckets, affor2
such facilities for these partial inroads, that it
would be impossible entirely to prevent them,
even with much larger force than that which
the War Department has at its disposal. All
well-informed men are aware of this fact; and
we are sure the editors of the Union are too
candid to deny it.'
The Union refers to a law authorizing the
occasional conversion of regiment Of infantry
into cavalry, as if it had been recommended or
approved by the present Secretary of War, and
says: "We foresaw from the first that the idea
of curbing the Camanches with mounted in
fantry was absurd" Now, it so happens
that the Secretary of War entertained the same
opinion. In his last annual report he says:
'Doubts are entertained whether the experiment
of mounting infantry will prove successful Little,
If any thing, is gained by such an arrangement on
the scare OF economy; and soldiers enlisted with
reference to their aptitude for cavalry duty will
seldom be able to adapt themselves to service for
which their previous habits may not at all qualify
them. 1t is therefore very much to be desired that
Congress will at an early period consider the pro-
priety of increasing the army, and particularly of
raising one or more regiments of mounted men,"
The PRESIDENT adopted this suggestion, and
in his last annual message says:
''The military force stationed in that country,
ITexas and New Mexico,l although forming
large proportion of the army is represented rs
tirely inadequate to protection, and the
fulflment of our treaty stipulations with Mexico.
The principal deficiency is in cavalry; and re-
commend that Congress should, at early pc
riod practicable, provide for the raising of one
or more regiments of mounted men,"
We are gratifed TO find that these views of
the President and Secretary meet the approval
of the Union, but would have been still more
gratifed if they had met the approval of Con-
gress. That body, however, did not concur in
them, and the Department was left to do the
best it could with the limited force and still
more limited pecuniary means at its disposal.
The first step was TO select for the various com
mands officers whose experience, energy, and
talents, qualified them for the trust Generals
SMITH and HARVEY are in Texas, Colonel
SUMNER IN New Mexico, and General HITCH
COCK on the Pacific. These officers are ad-
mitted, on all hands, to be in the foremost rank
in their profession, and ample powers have been
given them. They are acting under the direc
world wide reputation. We are satisfied that
if they do not succeed in putting a stop to the
incursions of the Indians, it will be because it
cannot be done. As all military operations in
that country are suspended during the winter,
and as several of these officers have scarcely
yet reached their commands, their plans for the
defence Of the country are not yet developed.
We hope, therefore, that the Union will en-
deavor to restrain its impatience to condemn
until they shall have had fair trial.
As regards the expenditures of the army,
they must necessarily be heavy in country
like New Mexico and the frontier of Texas,
which, from the sterility of the soil, the dry
ness of the climate, and the Incidence of the
inhabitants, is one of the most unproductive on
the face Of the earth. On the Pacific the same
results are produced by different causes. The
supplies, therefore, for the army in all these
remote regions, are mostly drawn from great
distance, and the cost of transportation is i'm
mense.
1t is fact, however, not to be disguised. that
for some years past spirit of extravaganza has
crept into the army. These habits, engendered
during Mr.. VAN BUREN's Florida war, (Which.
il unrenowned for nothing else, certainly is for
its unparalleled expenditures were confirmed
by the Mexican war, which, from the hardships
and privations to which our gallant country
men were exposed in an enemy's country
and from the gratitude felt for their great
services, an unusual latitude of indulgence
was very properly allowed them. In a
time of peace, however, neither Congress
nor the country are disposed TO be so liberal
The Secretary Of War has therefore com