The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-06-12
The Southwestern Frontier.

|
A writer in the Santa Fe Gazette-a paper
adverse to the present Administration-refer
| in the following terms to the course pursued
| by Colonel SUMNER, who seems tO have fur
nished material to the disinterested gossips OF
that part of New Mexico:
"CoIonel Sumner knows that these rumors in
| the main ara true, as surely as he knows that he
| has destroyed the efficiency of the army in New
Mexico and he is aware that he and he only
should bear the blame for the present state OF
things; he is also aware that by allowing himself
to be the willing instru ment in the hands Of a de-
signing politician such the present Secretary OF
War ia known to be- that he has merited. as he has
received the exec ra lions Of this whole community;
he has pormitted himself to be made cats paw
Of by the present Administration, TO reduce ex
pensos for effect on the Presidential cleo ton;
and he has performed the part assigned him but too
| well, as the present defenceless condition of our
Territory will show"
1t is something new to have the testimony
Of an adversary as to the economising tendency
of the management of the Secretary Of War.
The recent speeches of Mr. HUNTER and Mr..
GWEN abounded with SO many charges Of an
opposite description against the same iunc-
lionary, that it is refreshing to have the great
staple of their complaints brushed away with
out ceremony by fiery Democratic partisan
resident in the region most directly concerned.
The allegation in the Senate is, that Mr.. Con-
RAD is extravagant Mr.. PEAKcE's speech af-
forded evidence that, so far as practicable, Mr..
CONRAD has reduced expenditure, not increased
it; and now we have the cross testimony of a
political opponent to the same effect.
The cause of the righteous Indignation man
ifested by the Santa Fe writer appears too
plainly on the surface to advance the object
of his representations. Reforms instituted by
Mr. CokaAD have touched the pockets of a
few specializing patriots located at that place,
who managed to fatten on the manner in which
the affairs Of the military posts in New Mexico
were previously conducted. Fuel, purchased
at high rates. was in bygone times conveyed
several miles on the backs Of mules, to
the decided advantage of wood-cutters and
muleteers. Now the troops cut and convey
fuel for themselves. Formerly they were
domicied in Santa Fe houses. at rents much
like those of New York. Now the soldiers
sleep under less costly coverings, not in town,
but in vicinities most likely to call their ser
vices into requisition. They cut fodder for their
cattle, too, instead of buying it at high rates;
and by these and other similar practlses pre-
serve to the national treasury large amounts
formerly expended for the behoof of keen, en-
terprising citizens of Santa Fee. The said cit-
zens may imagine that they have valid pre-
texts for complaint; but the country will be
less disposed to sympathize with them in their
losses than to approve of the measures Of re-
trenchment carried out by MIR. SUMNER, uRder
instructions from the Secretary of War.
For one remark Of the writer in'the Gazette
there is unfortunately more ground. That the
Territory of New Mexico is to great extent
defenceless is, we fear, fact not to be gainsad,
and certainly not to be treated with levity or
Indifference. Not only from Santa Fe, but
from nearly every point of our extended from
tiers, southwest and northwest, The same COM
plant proceeds. But with whom rests the re-
sponsibiity growing out Of such state of
things? The Secretary of War cannot, with
any show of propriety, be blamed for clrcum-
stances utterly beyond his control lie did his
duty six months ago, when he presented the
requirements of the country in this regard TO
Congress; and Congress alone can now be
held to account for the consequences resulting
from their neglect. The Deficiency bill, having
occupied weary weeks in the Senate, yet lin
gers in the House and though we must do Mr..
HUNTER the justice to say that he neglected no
opportunity Of pressing to a conclusion a mat
ter Of which he has special charge, the major
ty appear to experience little concern for the
work OF the evils of its neglect. Nero fddling
while Rome was burning is too old story to
have much point, or we might reclte it for the
edihcation Of honorable gentlemen who con-
sumo time with irrelevant debates, while the
families and property OF citizens on the from
tier are exposed to the tender mercies Of hostile
Indians.
The Hon. RICHARD |. Bowie, Of Maryland
we regret TO learn, is temporarily absent from