The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-02-17

taordnaTy zeal; hut atlery seems 10 have been aban
doned under the plea and petext OF economy The last
war with England opened the eyes OF the nation 10 The
necessity OF system OF defence. The unprotected IN
habanis OF the coast were lett IN constant alarm A
contemplate force like maraudlng party Than an
army entered The Chesapeake bay, effected landing at
Benedict on the Paluxent river marched to washington
burned down the Capitol, and returned 10 thelr ships
with perfect mpuniiy. Unprotected cities ana Towns
along the coast were subjected 10 The insults and as
saus OF The most Insignificant maritime force
The war OF 1912. however, taught profitable lesson
TO the statesmen OF that day They established ooaId
in 1916 They called distinguished French engineer.
General Bernard, TO their assistance They entered upon
magnificent system OF national defence, and prosecuted
with vgor long They exercised controlling in
uence IN the councils OF the nation But now they have
passed from the stage OF acon and this system Is to De
abandoned Oar congressional economists have found
last with England. They forget that the first duty
of government is to provide for the national safety
that OF the first objects of is to provide for
the protection OF cities, habors. dock yards. and
naval depos They forget, in my opinion, their duty
the country and they call this deeliction of duty
omy. Upwards OF twenty millions have been already
expended on works OF defence, and six mil
lions will complete the syslemand now il is to be
abandoned on the plea OF economy. This is strange
economy-to prosecute great system almost 10 compile
ton and Just before it is fully completed discover that
it is expensive, and therefore abandon H. This vaca-
ton is unworthy OF Congress. Our system of national
defence ought 10 be completed as speedily as possible.
The points that are most important and most exposed
should be first defended: the Pacific the Gulf the south
em and northern Atlantic, require the speedy completion
OF works OF defence.
The object Of the now under consideration is
to authorize board ri engineers to select the most I'M
portant locality, and complete defences there first
where defence is absolutely necessary Also TO dimn-
sh the SIZE and expense Of the structures by adopting
cheaper and simpler plan OF construction. Many OF the
forts built according 10 the system OF 1916 are unneces-
sary large and expensive II the board perform Its duty
with energy and Judgment it will be able to save mil
lions to the country and complete an ample system OF
national defence in few years. and without the com,
peton OF this system large portion OF our coast VIII
! ha tn fha liza nd
! power
AS am no alarmst, may well say here that these
measures not brought forward with any reference
Whatsoever to the state oil our foreign relations or to any
preparation for For my part, see no ground
for apprehension OF any kind on this subject There are
Indications except in some OF our speeches. OF any
difficulty collision vi. any OF the great nations OF the
world. These only ordinary measures to diminish
expenditure and increase the efficiency OF she army Our
regular army is small, and therefore Il ought TO be as
| highly disciplined and well organized as possible 1t
ought TO make up quality Tor what it wants IN guam
tity Il ought to keep on level with the military i'm
proyements OF the age This would render II we'll dds
ciplined and we'll organized nucleus around which, in
of necessity, could collect the strength and force
and power of the nation. have no fear OF war; so lar
this country is concerned but still this is not the time
to neglect army, navy, national defences In the
midst OF profound peace the world is ringing with mill
tay preparation The nations OF Europe are armng in
expectation OF some unseen danger In my opinion, the
first hostile fired that continent Will be the
signal OF general Our policy is peace-a hrn and
peaceful attitude n OF war, an impartial and dig
nhed neutrality But to preserve our neutrality IN me
event of general war; must be feared and respected
by the begerent powers. state OF reasonable prepa-
ration, therefore, is the best security for peace, and the
only guarantee for the preservation OF neutrality
Mr. RUSK The first bill referred to by the honorable
senator from Illinois, Mr. SHIELDS and the one now I'M
mediately before US is believe bill 10 repeal the gen
eral staff OF the army.
Mr. SHIELDS | would state to my honorable friend
that have already offered amendment by way OF sub
slilute which changes the whole character OF that bill
Mr.. RUSK have read that amendment, and think
I ,ndar and / ghaI garif al "A
very hazardous experiment OF REFORM TO say the least OF
IT, DO not know but what we might have better sys-
TEN Of appointing staff officers that may be very likely
But there one thing that know about il, and that is
that other country in the world has better system oil
staff appointments more efficient corps. than nave the
United States II has been boast thai there is an
countability responsibility, efficiency, in system
that other nation possesses that 1t has been shown IN
peace as well in war. This BILL well as the sub
suie for il, proposes 10 repeal entirely what was
garded at the time it brought forward by late and
honorable senator from South Carolina, now more,
Mr. Calhoun,) while he was Secretsryof War; as one OF
The credtabe of reforms This bill proposes 10 re-
peal that entirely, and place IN the hands OF the Pes
dent all the various departments OF the slai-ihe adutan
generals, the inspector generals, the Quarlemas,ers
Gcaer they had been formed alter long experience for
the purpose OF remedying abuses which formerly existed
1t is but lately that have paid any attention to this matter
but as general thing | know that those departments
well conducted here in any country Of the
world and know that some OF our most meTilorions
officers belong TO these different stat departments. The
original bill, ii amended as Indicated proposes TO re-
peal all those laws which authorize the commanding gen.
Mr. SHIELDS. ! beg pardon OF the honorable senator,
bat must say that he is utterly and entirely mistaken
to The operation OF the substitute have proposed.
Mr.. RUSK. Then | do not understand the English
language.
Mr.. SHIELDS. II gives the President the power, il he
finds officer upon any department OF the stah unit or
unqualified for that station, 10 him from that po-
silon and send him back 10 bis regiment No officer in
the army object TO that The officers OF the various
staff departments seeking to be restored to active
command. but under existing laws the President cannot
Crafty their wishes He only suffer them TO remain
permanent in their respective departments. or turn them
out of the army entirely.
Mr.. RUSK The reading OF the bill and OF the amend.
ment will best show who IS right in this matter The
bill originally reported has this title; "a bill to repeal
the several organizing the sta departments OF the
army therein mentioned and 10 provide for the discharge OF
the duties thereof BY detail OF officers OF the line" That
sounds pretty much like repeating the staff
Mr.. SHIELDS. With the amendment have proposed,
II be agreed TO- that title would no, fully and sppropr.
aely agree, and at the proper time is my purpose TO
move to amend ii.
Mr.. RUSK. Very well will read the bill TO the
Senae-,he original bl-and then will read the amend
ment proposed by the honorable senator from Illinois.
Mr. SHrELpsl The original bill is as follows:
BE e~acfed bv the Senate ard House sf Rrprnsrta
tire, Of the Unued States of Amuioa IN Corgrsss
bd That the President of the United State. be- and he
hereby, authorized assign the officers OF the aduian
generals, inspector generals quariermasers, and sub
ssence Departments, well the respective chiefs Of
those departments 10 the several regiments and corps Of
the army, with their regimentai or rank, that
hch they would be entitled this time had they
received such stsh appointments, and that the staff
missions OF the officers so assigned snail thereafter be abo
ished.
" SIC Ard BE- IL further enacted, That for the per
formance OF the duties OF the several departments emu
in the foregoing section President of the Cn
fnI Sfa hAr r1u unfl