The daily union., 1856-12-10


referred but do not rest upon that species Of evil
dence alone.
The settlement of the Territory ofNew Mexico was begun
long anterior that of large portion OF the populous dis
cts Of the United States yet to this day cultivation has
extended but very little beyond the valleys Of the
Rio Bravo and the Santa Cruz and though Forts Laramie
aud kArney, the Oregon route, established more
than eight years since, agricultural settlements have
grown up around either, and thus the conclusions
drawn from the reports Of the reeonnoitng parties as
to the general character of the country satisfactorily
confirmed. Though have been in the habit of be-
eying that the great basin of the Territory Of Utah
presented fertile oasis recent events have furnished
much reason for doubt to its capably to sustain
any considerable population depending from year TO
year the agricultural products which each years cu
tvaton affords Assuming then, that the limits of the
fertile iegions have been sufficiently well ascertained and
that future operations should be made to conform the
character Of the country the true interests of the public
service woud seem to suggest important notifications of
the policy which has heretofore directed the employment
of the military force Instead of dispensing the troops to
form SMALL garrisons at posts where they only exhibit our
weakness TO the savage foe is suggested that within the
fertile regions few points accessible by steamboats, by
railways should De selected which large gsrsons should
be maintained and from which strong deachmens should
annually be ont into the Indian country during the
when the grass will suffice for the support of cava
y horses and beasts of draught aud burden These detah
ments would be available both to hunt up and chastse
those tribes who had committed depredaons and by pass
ing along the main routes California Oregon and Wash
ngton Territories would give the needfu protection
emigran during the of their transit Experience
has shown that small posts nearly poweress beyond
have bean committed parties In the vicinity of such mill
itary posts and their inability pursue and punish the
offenders has tended bring into dsrepue the power and
energy of the United States whose citizens the vic
Tins of predatory attacks Indeed it is quite supposabe
that these posts being fixed points in the route of emf
grants afford the Indians the opportunity of observing
each train which passes and thus enables them to deter
mine upon future operations.
Cavalry cannot be sustained In a state of efficiency
less provided during the winter with stables grain and
hay At some of the remote posts the material for
construction be transported great distance and the
forage only be furnished prices which
cessty alone will justify for example, delivered at
Fort Laramie costs about five dollars bushel Infantry
gsrrsons less expensive because less forage required
but under such circumstances neither be sustained
cept at great cost
1t may be proper further consider the comparative
value of troops thus distributed and of those serving by de
tachments from large garsons quarered in eligible posi-
tons If sufficient garrisons kept at all the posts
established for the purpose OF making expeditions at
time from them among the neighLoring tribes, which
would require very considerable augmentation of the
present military establishment and a commensurate in
OF appropriations for its support IL is not believed
that they would be equally effective with marching de
tachments of the numerical strength Their position
would be known their preparations for taking the field
would be observed and considerable force would
sary be left behind for the protection of the public prop
erty at each military post The instruction aud discipline
quarters would be inferior to that of larger garrons
and the capacity Of the troops suddenly emerging from
quarters TO begin the forced marches cf pursuit would be
than that OF Injured by long march and frequent
bvouacs bear fatigue and protect themselves against
posures incident service in the field The policy of dis
ibuon at present pursued also involves the frequent
construction and abandonment Of posts and with such gar
rsons may expect have with the present prob
able size of the army involves the employ of all the
troops for long periods at constant labor alike injurious
military instruction and the conteutmen Of the soldier.
His compensation, at such times lie far inferior to
that Of the common aborer on the frontier and the
prospect of abandoning the position after he
has made 1t comparatively comfortable leaves him
without adequate inducement Tor the sacrifices be
is called to make A aborer without pay or promises
Of Improvement in his condition, soldier without the
forms and excitement Of military life IL hardly be
wondered that this Of things should lead de-
seron which become so frequent a. 10 be one OF the
great evils Of the service Under the other policy which
has been suggested the troops would be comfortably quar-
tered in the midst of civilization their campaigns
would be the field practice of their profession the tempo
rary dangers and tolls Of which give soldiers life
and if to these be added the prospect Of return TO the
comiorts associations and Of instruction Of large
garrison a well established post 1t Is not seen why the
service could not be rendered persons OF mill
tary spirit and believed that the efficiency OF the troops
would be increased proporonay the expense Of sup
porting them would be diminished
The occupation Of Algeria by the French presents
having much paralelism to that Of frontier
and affords the opportunity Of profng by their eIpe
rieuce Their practice far understood by me- is to
the desert region TO the possession Of the nomadc
tribes their ouposts having strong garisons estab
shed the limits Of the cultivated region and their
services performed by large detachmeu making eIped-
tons into the desert regions required The marching
columns being sufficiently strong to inhict punishment
whenever il is deserved have inspired II b said the
tribes with such respect for their power that has
seldom been found necessary 10 chAstse any tribe second
time.
As present policy upon various acts Of egsa-
ton and the concurrent views Of several preceding admin
stratons change radical that which Is here sug-
geted should receive critical examination and perhaps
quiTes legislative before being adopted The de-
partmen # left to the free exercise OF ts Judgment would
abandoned the policy present followed by adopt
ng few eligible positions easy of access and in the
midst Of region productive sustain large settle
ments from which the bulk Of the supplies for the garri-
son could be drawn.
More than the usual number Of designations within the
past year g1vesvidencs OF detective organization Of policy
injurious professional pride and OF the necessity Of In
creased compensation Whilst the hard service ard from
stations the officers Of the army require Of them
rihCes which other officers Of the government are called
upon 70 make The expense Of living has been greatly
mented and their pay s nearly the that which
hIed more than fifty years ago.
Thsreis surely economy in practice which must in
the end drive the more active and Intellectual from
vice which they adorn and in which their country espe-
cisly requires them, TO seek competent support In
other pursuit As little does accord with the spirit Of
generosity justice to ask their hands the sacrifice which
80 many OF them make TO professional pride and hsbtual
love for their counys service and their countrys Aag
But little be hoped until radical changes be eject
ed such only suggested after a minute study by
the Executive who shall have the good fortune nd the
legislative branch prepared 10 cooperate with him. both
the investigation and the application Of remedy those
evils which belong 70 changes with wi ich legislation has
not kept pace
Though special have from time to time made pro-
vision tor the widows and orphans Of officers and soldiers
OF the army who have lost their lives the discharge
their duty no such general provision has been made for
the army as that which subsis relation the widows
and orphans Of officers and OF navy IF there
was ever just ground for this discrimination IL is be-
ieved that IL no longer exists. Whilst the army has
claim 70 be paid by is government for the capture Of
The public property Of an enemy, large sums have from
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