Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1854-12-14

treasury system upon commerce and all
monetary operations.
The experience Of the last year furnishes
additional reasons, regret to say, of pain
full character, for the recommendation here
tolore made, TO provide for increasing the
military force employed in the territory in
habited by the Indians. The settlers on the
frontier have suffered much from the incur
sions of predatory bands, and large bcdies
OF emigrants 10 our Pacific possessions have
been massacred with impuniiy. The re-
currence of such scenes can only be proven
ted by teaching those wild tribes the power
of, and their responsibility TO the United
States. From the garrisons of our frontier
posts it is only possible TO detach troops in
small bodies; and though these have on all
occasions displayed galantay, and stern de-
votion 10 duty, which on larger field would
have commanded universal admiration, they
have usually suffered severely in these con
ficts with superior numbers, and have some
times been entirely sacrificed.
All the disposable force of the army
is already employed on this service, and
is known to be wholly inadequate to the pro-
lection which should be afforded. The pub.
lie mind of the country has beer recent
ly shocked by savage atrocities committed
upon deienceless emigrants and border set
Elements. and hardly less by the unnecessary
destruction of valuable lives, where made
quate detachments OF troops have undertook
to furnish the needed aid. Without increase
OF the military force, these scenes will be
repeated, it is to be feared, on larger scale
and with more disasterous consequences
Congress, am sure, will preceive that the
plninest duties and responsibilities OF gov
eminent arc involved in this question, and
doubt not that prompt action may be conf
IDENTIFY anticipated, when delay must be at
tented by such fearful hazards.
The bill Of the last session, providing for
an increase of the pay Of the rank and file
Of the army. has had beneficial results, not
only in facilitating enistments, but in obvi-
OILS improvement in the class OF men who
enter the service. Iregret that correspon-
ding consideration was not bestowed on the
officers, who, in view of their character and
services, and the expenses to which they are
necessarily subject, receive at present what
Is, in my judgment, inadequate compehsa-
ton.
The valuable services constantly rendered
by the Army, and its inestimable importance
as the nucleus around which the volunteer
forces OF the nation can promptly gather in
the hour of danger, sufficiently attest the
wisdom Of maintaining military peace es-
tablishment; but the theory of our system
and the wise practice under it require that
any proposed augmentation, in time Of peace
be only commensurate with our extended
limits and frontier relations. While scru-
pulously adhering to this principle, find,
in existing circumstances, a necessity for in
crease OF our military force, and it is beiev-
ed, that four new regiments, two Of infantry
and two of mounted men, will be sufficient
to meet the present exigency, II it were
necessary carefully TO weigh the cost in a
case of such urgency, It would be shown
that the additional expense would be COM
paratively light.
With the increase Of the numerical force
of the army should, think, be combined
certain measures of reform in lis organic
arrangement and administration. The pre-
sent organization is the result of partial le-
gislation often directed to special objects and
interests; and the laws regulating rank and
command, having been adopted many years
ago from the British code, are not always
applicable TO our service. 1t is not surpri-
sing, therefore, that the system should be
deficient in the symmetry and simplicity
essential 10 the harmonious working OF its
several parts, and require careful revis-
ion.
The present organization, by maintaining
large staff corps or departments, separates
many officers from that close connection
with troops, and those active duties in the
field, which are deemed requisite TO qualify
them for the varied responsibilities OF high
command. Were the duties Of the army
staff mainly discharged by officers detached
from their regiments, it is believed that the
special service would be equally well per-
formed, and the disci pline and instruction of
the army be improved. While due regard
to the security OF the rights OF officers, and
10 the nice sense Of honor which should be
cultivated among them, would seem TO eX-
net compliance with the established rule of
promotion in ordinary cases, still it can
hardly be doubted that the range Of promo
motion by selection, which is now practi-
cully confined 10 the grade OF general off,
GERS, might be somewhat extended with ben
eft to the public service.
Observance Il rule of seniority some
times leads, especially in time of peace, to
the promotion OF officers who, after merito-
rous and even distinguished service, may
have been rendered by age or nfrmity in
capable of performing active duy, and
whose advancement, therefore, would tend
to impair the Efficiency Of tie army. Suit
able provision for this class of officers, by
the creation Of retired list, would remedy
the evil, without woundng the just pride Of
men who, by past services, have established
claim to high consideration. In again com
mending this measure 10 the iavori b e con-
sideratinn of Congress would sueg ST that
the power OF placing officers On the retired
list be limited to one year. The practical
operation of the measure would thus be test
ed, and if, after the lapse OF years, there
should be occasion 10 renew the provision
II con he 'renrnluce1 with any itnnroyen,ant.