Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-04-18

~ OUR ARMY AND NAvY-An increase OF both the
army and navy Of the United States is eminently
men or guns, neither has kept pace with the pro-
gress of the country they are designed to defend.
1t is true, an immense standing army argues little
for the freedom of the people from whom it is drawn,
which it protects Where despots rule baynets
must bristle between the populace and the throne,
and standing armies are employed as much or more
for the preservation of peace at home, to wage
war with nations abroad, or repel the attacks of
foreign invaders. Among q republican people the
government needs no physical force to sustain it.
But while standing armies. considered only as con-
SENATORS of society," superuous and idle nstitu-
tons in Democratic countries, they are in all other
respects as indispensable under any other form of
government. Having no double duties to perform
in Republics, their size and strength should, of
course be apportioned to the strict military demands
Of the nation, without reference to purposes of po
lice; and therefore, they smaller in free than in
monarchical countries. AS elements of government,
armies are to be watched with mistrust and appre-
hension. AS protectors of national interest and
honor, no country command its rights without
them. Gunpowder and steel are terrible agencies
in the hands of ignorant and mercenary men, and
under the control of tyrants and demagogues. Arm
ed men, instgated by the sinister designs of unprn-
cipled apostates and traitors, may overturn gov
eminent in day. And thus it is that standing
armies. when necessary to protect the rulers, may
be perverted to purposes of revolution.
In the United States every man is a sovereign,
citizen and soldier when his country calls to arms
The people enact their own laws, and alter them at
their will. If revolution is needed it is accomplish
ed quietly and peaceaby by the ballot-box, and not
by batteries and barbados in the streets of the
metropolis. There is cause for rebellion, no field
for traitors in arms, and consequently need for
an army to defend the 60, eminent from popular
outbreaks. But even here it is indispensable that
we should not only have an organized military force
for nucleus of the citizen soldiery in time of war,
but standing army, large enough to garrison onr
forts, defend our frontiers, and drive out the hostile
Indian tribes. The territory of the United States is
extending rapidly Westward and Southwark, our
population is multiplying almost incidentally, and
yet our army is confined within contracted limits,
numbering not more than men enough to furnish
single FORT if war should be proclaimed against US
tomorrow. We would not advocate a very large
standing army, but at present we have not soldiers
enough enlisted, all told, to make much more i'm
posing parade than rcgimental muster of the old
Nirg nia militia. The number of West Point cadets
should at least be doubled, for however brave, pat
rotic and loyal the legons send into the field, it
is indisputably established, that to be effective in
proportion to their strength, they must be under
the direction and authority Of wel-traned officers.
An nnumerablc host, without discipline, may he
easily routed by far inferior force, arrayed and
man9uvcred in accordance with the arts Of war.
Woolwick and West Point belong as legitimately
to Mars as Lowell and Manchester to manufactures,
or the medical colleges of the world to the Escula.
plan science.
The Navy of the United States is much more in
adequate and disproportonate than the Army. Our
commerce extends to the fartEest limits of naviga
ton, and our merchantmen are increasing in num-
bers constantly The land is being forsaken for the
sea more than at any previous period in the history
Of the world. And as commerce increases, 1t is
highly important that the means for its protection
should be increased in corresponding ratio. In
times of peace should have armed vessels
enough to be always at hand to be employed at the
bidding of our representatives abroad, for the pro-
lection of the interests and honor of the nation,
when the occasion calls for force; and in time of
war they are Indispensable not only to convey
commerce. but to protect the coast from ravages of
the enemy.
There is an llimitabc field of science, too, always
open and inviting for the employment of naval Off
GERS and government vessels Puget Sound, with
out the aid of the navy in cooperation with the
military forces against the Indians might have been
immortalized in sad song another Wyoming.
The telegraph under the ocean, conjoining two
continents once unknown to each other, and trans
hitting intelligence through an agency, and with a
rapidty that almost staggers the understanding will
be monument to the memory of Bergman and
Brooke, we'll to the immortal Morse. Thus
civilization and science, the arts of peace and war,
20 hand in hand together, for the development OF
the resources of mind and matter.
comparison of our commerce with that of Eng
land suggests at the proprety of no inconsid-
cradle increase of the government vessels OF the
United States. 1t is to be hoped that effective ef-
forts for liberal enlargement of both our army and
navy, will be witnessed within the next four years.
The country has the means and we have little doubt
that the administration will avail itself Of the OPP
portunity, to strengthen both arms Of public protec
ton and defence. Richmond Enquirer.