Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-07-06
INCREASE OF THE ARMY.

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INCREASE OF THE ARMY.
We sincerely hope that Congress will not ad-
journ its present session without taking some
action in regard to an increase of the army. 1t
has lately become a subject of the most urgent
and vital importance, and even at the risk of
neglectng other business of interest it is Of the
greatest moment that provision should be made
for the protection of our frontiers.
On Thursday last Mr.. Faulkner, from the
Committee on Military Affairs, proposed making
this subject special order for an early day.
The proposition, although it met with general
favor in the House, was opposed by some, and
failed. In the course of his remarks, Mr..
Faulkner adverted TO the fact that, owing to
desertion and the expiration of enlistments,
there was now an absolute need for six thou
sand men, for the protection of our frontiers.
The difficulty of obtaining enlistments, under
the present system is manifest to every one.
In this country, the facilities presented in every
avenue of labor, to men Of enterprise and dar-
ing, make it difficult, nay, impossible to obtain
lars month. Some change must be made,
and at an early day; for, in proportion as these
difficulties have increased, the necessity for an
addition to the army has also increased. At
no time in the history of our country has there
been greater need for the protection of our
frontier, by an efficient force, than at present.
The settlement of those western territories,
which, until recently, have been almost entirely
abandoned to the Indian tribes, has received a
new and energetic impetus. And these hardy
pioneers, who have been the first to prepare
the way in those wilds for civilization and en-
terprise call loudly for the assistance and pro-
lection Of the government to which they owe
their allegiance. We are convinced that none
are ready to deny them that assistance. This
subject has been presented even with greater
force to our minds from the important letter,
which may be found in our paper of Tuesday
concerning Indian depredations in New Mexico.
We there learn, from an authentic source, that
the whole regular force now in New Mexico
is entirety inadequate to the protection of the
Territory !" and that this feeble force is 80 cut
up into detachments to man the different posts,
that there are not at any one point men enough
to make successful stand against the In
dams. But one of the numerous tribes OF the
Indians who inhabit that territory preserves
even a semblance Of friendship for the whites.
The Nayajos are indeed at peace, but no ac-
tive alliance can be formed with them against
the adjacent tribes. The rest are all in open
hostilities, which if not checked, must impede,
for n long time, the settlement Of that country.
1t has been the settled policy of our govern
ment to provide an increase Of the army when
ever the occasion arises. BY adverting to the
able report of the Secretary of War, presented
at the present session Of Congress, we find that
at various times it has been increased to meet
the eaigencies which have arisen from foreign
measures TO suppress Indian hostilities. Yet
It appears, from that report, that an increase
Of only four thousand men has been made TO
our peace establishment, while the increase of
our population has been eighteen millions, and
the increase Of our territory million Of square
miles. Who can doubt that such policy has
had the effect Of checking emigration, and re-
tarding the settlement Of our western terrific.
ries?
We)statcd our views on this important sub
ject early in the present session, and have
been anxiously looking ever since to the adops
ton Of the policy which we then advocated.
We know not what may be the precise provisions
OF the bill of the Committee on Military Affairs,
bat we have no doubt they are such as the ne.
.cessities Of the case require.
To effect the end desired the pay Of the men
must be increased, so that there may be some
competition with the various demands for labor
that exist in orr country. it is madness for gov.
eminent to resist the laws Of trade, and TO fix
a rate Of compensation unalterable by circum-
stances. No free government can expect TO
maintain an adequate army, unless the reward
of enlistment is encb rs to compete with the
reward which is promised 10 the adyenturer in
other avenues Of labor. Snch course can
only be pursued under a government which
justifes the imprcssment Of unwilling recruits
into service.
The recomme ndation OF he Secretary Of
War to establish a system Of promotion TO non