The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-12-13

now be regarded as the settled policy OF
the county, trust that li,ile difficulty will
be encountered In settling the details of
measure to that effect.
In connection with this subject. recon-
mend change in the laws, which recent
experience has shown to be essential to
the protection of The Government. There
is no express provision of law. requiring
the records and papers of public char
acter, Of the several officers of the Gov.
eminent, 10 be left in their offices for the
use OF their successors, nor any provision
declaring it felony on their part to make
false entries in the books, or return false
accounts. In the absence OF such ex-
press provision by law. the outgoing off
GERS, in many instances have claimed and
exercised the righ, to take into their own
possession, important books and papers.
on the ground that these were their private
property; end have placed them bey ond
the reach OF the Government. Conduct
of this character. brought in several in
stances TO the notice OF the present Secs,
retary Of the Treasury. naturally awaken
ed his suspicion, and resulted in the dis.
closure that at four ports, namely. Oswego.
Toledo. Sandusky and Milwaukee, the
Treasury had. by false entries, been de-
frauded, within the four years next pre-
cedipg March, 1858, of the sum Of one
hundred and ninety eight thousand dol
lars. The grea! difficulty with which the
detection OF these frauds has been attend
ed, in consequence of the abstraction OF
books and papers by the retiring officers,
and the facility with which similar frauds
in the public service may be perpetrated.
render the necessity OF new legol enact
ments, IN the respects above referred TO,
quite obvious. For other material modifi.
cations OF the revenue laws which seem
10 me desirable, | refer you to the report
Of the Secretary OF the Treasury. That
report, and the tables which accompany
it. furnish ample proofs of the solid foun-
daiion on which the financial security OF
the country rests, and of the salutary in
fiuence OF The independent Treasury sys-
tenn upon commerce and all monetary
operations.
The experience OF the last year fur
nishes additional reasons, regret 10 say,
OF painful character, for the recommen-
daion heretofore made, to provide for in.
creasing the military force employed in
the territory inhabited by the Indians.
The settlers on the frontier have suffered
much from the incursions of predatory
bands, and large parties of emigrants to
our Pacific possessions have been massa-
cred with impunity. The recurrence OF
such scenes can only be prevented by
teaching these wild tribes the power Of,
and their responsibility to, the United
States. From the garrisons of our from
tier posts i! is only possible to deiach
troops in small bodies; and though these
have, on all occasions, displayed gal
lantry and a stern devotion TO duty which,
on larger field, would have commanded
| universal admiration, they have usually
suffered severely in these conflicts with
superior numbers, and have sometimes
been entirely sacrificed. All the disposa-
BILE force Of the Army is already employ
ed on this service, and is known 10 be
wholly inadequate 20 the protection which
should be afforded. The public mind oi
the country has been recently shocked by
savage atrocities, committed upon defense
less emigrants and border settlements,
and hardly less by the unnecessary de.
slruc,ion Of valuable lives, where made
quate detachments of troops have under
taken to furnish the needed aid. Withou,
increase of the military force, these scenes
will be repeated, it is to be feared. on a
larger scale, and with more disastrous
consequences. Congress, I am sure, will
perceive that the plainest duties and re-
possibilities OF government are involved
in this question, and | doubt not tha,
prompt action may be confidently antici-
pated when delay must be attended by
! such fearful hazards.
| The bill Of the last session, providing q
| for an increase Of the pay of the rank and
file Of the Army has had beneficial results
not only in facilitating enlistments, but in
obvious improvement in the class OF men
! who enter the sesyice. regret that cor.
responding consideration was not bestow.
ed on the officers. who, in view Of their
| character and services, and the expenses
| to which they are necessarily subject, re-
ceive at present what is, in my judgment
| inadequate compensation.
The valuable services constantly rem
dered by the Army, and its inestimsble
importance, as the nucleus around which
| me EpiuutccI IciCcS vi Cdt
promptly gather in the hour Of danger
sufficiently attest the wisdom OF maintain
ing military peace establishment; but the
theory OF our system and the wise prac-
.ce under it, require that any proposed
| augmentation. in time of peace be only
commensurate with our extended limits
and frontier relations. While scrupu-
lously adhering to This principle. find, in
existing circumstances. necessity for in
crease of our military force. and it is be-
lieved that four new regiments. two of in
tantry and two OF mounted men. will be
sufficient TO meet the present exigency
If it were necessary carefully to wei gh the
cost in case of such urgency, It would
be shown that the additional expense
would bo comparatively light.
| With the increase OF the numerics a
force Of the Army should, think. be com
bined certain measures of reform in lis
organic arrangement and administration
The present organization is the result o.
partial legislation often directed to specia
objects and interests; and the laws regu
laling rank and command. having beer