Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-09-28
THE DEFENCE or OUR ERoNTIERs

No part Of the policy Of General Pierce's nd
ministration has been more generally approved,
than his vigorous and energetic dissemination
to defend our exposed frontiers. On the Mex,
lean line the aSsemblage of large force is
well calculated TO awaken our liveliest sensibil-
ity. II is clear that Santa Anna either antici,
pates collision with us, or uses the national
prejudices Of the Mexieans a cover to his
despotic exactions. +. N4
x We are glad. therefore, to see that the bulk OF
our own forces has been ordered to march tothat
line. We regard the possession of the Messilla
Valley as intimately connected with the interest
Of Pacific railroad; and from the information
we possess, we doubt whether such a communi
cation can be made without the free passage
through the disputed territory Santa Anna 50
considers it, and intends to make us pay well
for any advantages we can gain by holding the
same. t
The Camanche and Apache Indians mfesting
that line, and large range of country east Of
it, add greatly to the Importance of this move
ment. Our regular forces are almost entirely
infantry and artillery, but embracing some
cavalry and light artillery companies. Is this
the sort of troops that can defend our frontier
and uphold the honor Of the country in preda
tory warfare We do not hesitate to say, that
our army, as at present organized, is a mere
scarecrop against the depredations Of the mount
ed, Indians. Those savages are wellmounted
armed and selfcondient; we have to encounter
them, only our infantry, and artillery acting as
infantry, and the Indians laugh to scorn the re
sistance we can offer. The Mexicans also,
welLmounted and equipped, regard our clumsy
infantry as a mere humbng of defence. The
government il doing the best in its power, but
the government is after all powerless.
II is time for Congress to act. On that body
rests the responsibility ol leaving the frontiers
unguarded We need light cavalry--several
regiments at least, arc Indispensable for the pro
lection of our exposed settlement. VIII they
be provided for7 Shall we have an efficient
force for our protection? These are questions
for Congress to answer-not for the Executive
The troops on the Rio Grande have been worse
than useless. They protested to furnish protec-
ton, but practically they were mere decoy.
A Mexican on n Mustang, as we have been in
formed, would ride up to the gates of Fort
Brown shoot man, or the driver of the stage
carrying the United States mail and depart with,
a chuckle Of satisfaction as notifying to our
pride, as il was gratifying 70 the vanity Of that
pervene people. asa
@ Our army il only suited to the defence Of
forts or towns, and for operations in regular
warfare, and is totally untitled for the only ser
vice that is of real Importance in protecting oul
extended frontiers. T. ..4- atJ 4, -.lanA
1t is n significant fact, that among both Mex
leans and Indians, the federal troops are justly
regarded as the only opponents of tie federal
power. They look upon our army affording
the only evidence Of our strength..and our only
ability to punish aggressors. IL II be feeble,
inefficient, or nnst,ited to the emergency they
viii invite insult, and will encourage lawless
men, both among the Mexicans and Indians to
plumber and murder our citizens.
There is hardly any subject which so londly
calls for the action of Congress, at the ensuing
session, AZ that of increasing and remodeling
the army, with special reference to the protec-
ton Of our immensely extended external aud
internal frontiers. There is not a nation on
earth whose territory presents so many vulner-
able points of attack or incnrsions, savage, civ
ihzed, and half.civized, AZ ours. Nor is there
nation whose means of defence are 70 mad.
equate. Were it not for the fact, that our pio-
neers and border inhabitants are all soldiers,
armed with unering rifles, and men Of cool,
I resoIute courage our advance would have been
arrested in all directions, and our new settle
\, ments been often swept with fire and sword. To
+ the government, they owe little for their preser-
walton. But this, however creditable to them
does not relieve the federal government from its
responsibility to guard them against danger, az
well IA to protect the honor Of our flag. a
We shall be told by some wiseacres in Con
gress, that it win cost money, that it Is danger.
ous to augment the army, and that our fellow
citizens on the Rio Grande and along the In
dian country, in the interior of Texas; New
Mexico California, Oregon, &c, &c. must take
careof themselves. Ofcourse il viii cost money |!
We have that money in abundance. To what
better use can it be applied? IL we increase the
army and send it ont into those remote quarters
if win be dangerous to nothing but our foes
And as to our citizens, they are entitled to the
same protection at Ell Passo, or in the noun.
tains Of California, as they are in the city Of
Washington. Wherever flag floats, there
should be our arms TO defend it, and all who
gather around it. He who values few dollars
beyond the honor Of his country, and the lives Of
bis fellow citizens, IL not to be envied on the
score Of either liberality, humanity patriotism.
FACTIONIsTs SHOULD BE PUNISHED
NOT REWARDED.
To form a government men must act together.
After the government has been TINS con
structed there is the same necessity FOR concert
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