New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-03-12

hOcky houbbdlns. nus cAPchoo Al PhO"
on expense for each Session threatens US
with the creation Of new regiments and the
increase Of eur Military establishment.
Why should not the People call halt
What the public service needs is not aug
mented forces but new and practical ideas.
The world has been completely trans
formed by the inventions and discoveries of
the last century, so that the fighting ma
chinery of the Middle Ages has become
thoroughly antiguated and unserviceable. 1t
costs far more than it is worth. Our Gov
eminent is now paying some Twenty Nil
lions per anRum for Military and Naval SER
vice, of which at least half might be saved
by the mere adaptation Of our machinery of
war to the times in which We live.
For instance
Let Military commandant for California
be appointed with an efficient staff and cap
tains of posts not exceeding in all one hundred
persons. Let these be chosen by the COM
mandant from among our present officers Of
the right stamp, together with our citizens
skilled and experienced in Indian warfare -
men like Jack Hays, Dan Drake Henrie,
the late lamented Walker, &c. Let these
proceed to enlist two or three Thousand
picked men-the best and bravest that are
TO be had-each of whom is TO mind
his own business until called for, but
to take an cath to be in the saddle,
thoroughly armed, with led horse or
mule carrying provisions for months
service, and on his way to the appointed
rendezvous Of his company, within one
hour after the alarm gun, watchire or
other preconcerted signal, shall have given
the requisite notice that he is wanted. Let
each citizen thus enlisted as minute-man
receive 500 per annum during the term
of his engagement, no matter whether
called out or not, but with forfeit of one
years pay each time that he may fail, no
matter for what cause, to appear seasonably
at the rendezvous.
Among the advantages Of this plan, the
following would seem indisputable
/. We should secure far better class of
soldiers-active, adventurous, responsible,
enterprising men, each qualified to lead a
squadron or scouting party if necessary.
2. They would be all well mounted, and
accustomed to the woods, to their horses,
and feeling direct interest in success, since
that involves the safety of their families
and movable property.
g. They would each have a direct and
palpable interest in finishing up hostilities
as speedily as possible, so as to return to
their families and accustomed pursuits.
A. The cost would not be one-fourh that
of the present wasteful system, which com.
mits the defense of the Country to irrespon-
sible, reckless, habitually idle persons, who
produce nothing and whose entire support
must come out of and bear hard upon the
National Industry.
II. A modification of the foregoing plan
might be made by the formation at each
important point, ofwhat the French term the
cadre, or skeleton of regiment, consisting
of the officers thereof, from Colonel down
to Corporals, leaving the ranks to be filled
up by temporary enlistments whenever an
emergency shall arise. This, however,
would close to the citizens those avenues
to distinction and promotion which are at
tractive to many daring spirits, and would,
we apprehend, render the reform less eff
cient and salutary. We should prefer to
let the minute-men choose their own Of
fcers from Captain downward, requiring
them to muster for drill and exercise at
least one week in each year.
Legislators at Washington will you not
do something, speedily and decisively, to
diminish the burden and waste of our pres
ent absurdly antiquated Military Systema