The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-12-09
OUR NATIONAL DEFMCEs.
Abstract or the Report OF the Secretary OF
War.


MORMON DIFFIcuLTY-THE sTAFF-REwARDs AND
PROMort0Ns-THE SUBJECT OF SENIORITY TREATED
-PEEsIONs-ExPLORING EXPEDITIONS, ETC, ETC.
The report Of the Secretary Of War with
statement Of the numerical force and condition Of the
standing army of the country. From this statement
learn that there nineteen regiments which divided
into ten of infantry four Of artillery two of Dragons
Of cavalry, and one Of mounted rinemen
The whole strength OF the army posted consists II
July last, was 1894 In addition to the movements
which the troops have been called to make this year,
this force called upon to garrison 68 forts of large and
permanent charscter-eo far at least, is possible to
supply men for the Parpeseand to occupy 70 posts less
permanently established where the presence of force is
absolutely required. Tue which these forts and
posts are spread embraces circuit Of about 100000
square miles, and requires journey Of many thousand
miles TO visit the principal ones OF them.
The external boundary Of country says the report
requiring throughout less viglant military
supervision, is IL 900 miles in length, presenting every
variety Of climate and temperature from the nclenent
cold of Canada frontier TO the tropical regions OF
southern Texas But the occupation OF this long line or
frontier Is trIing difficulty in comparison with that OF
protecting the double line of Indian frontier extending
from the Lake OF the Woods TO the banks OF the Rio
Grande, on the east side oi.the Rocky Mountains and
from beyond the Oregon the British frontier TO
the head of the Gulf Of California ON the western slope
Of those mountains Superadded to these lines requiring
to be occupied the great lines of inercommuncstion
between the valley OF the Mississippi and the Pacific
ocean, which mperatively demand that protection which
only the United States troops furnish These lines
very long, and now extremely important whilst
every year renders them and more From our
western frontier Of settlements TO those of northern
Oregon the distance about 800 miles; from the
frontier TO the settlements of California via Salt lake. s
500 miles from the frontier Of Arkansas at Fort Smith,
by Albuquerque Santa Fe to Fort Teon is about LOO
miles; and from San Antonio, by Fl Paso TO San Diego
the borders of the white settlements, s 400 miles
constituting aggregate line of 8 100 miles which ought
to be occupied and which pretend, in sort, to
keep open and defend.
To render governmental protection vast frontier
and great emigration perfect, very large augmentation
OF the army, the secretary says would not be required
Five additional regiments he believes, would the
purpose If properly posted. line Of posts running
parallel with frontier but to the Indians usual
habitaons placed VI convenient distances and suitable
positions and occupied by infantry would exercise sau
tary restraint upon the tribes, who would feel that any
foray by their warriors upon the white settlements would
meet with prompt retaliation upon their homes In
addition TO this means of defence, there should be
trated along our own frontier at eligible points, large
bodies OF efficient horse, all portion of which could
upon the opening of spring and the first appearance Of
grass march TO punish aggression or reprcss spirit of
INSTRUMENTATION. These oanonments Tor cavalry should
be established points where and hay abundant
and cheap These the Secretary deems sufficient
to warrant increase OF the army-reasons which, he
says are supported by the recommendations of the Gene
ral-in- Chief.
Ausion is made to the employment of portion of the
army IN Florida during the spring and early part of the
and TO the important service which they render
ed the prosecution Of the against the Indians This
force consisted mainly Of the Fifth Infantry and the
Fourth Artillery The latter regiment and the Tenth In
fahtry subsequently sent to Kansas and with troops
from other quarters formed force sufficient the
opinion Of the Governor TO reprcss all INSTRUMENTATION
and to insure the peace Of the Territory.
The Secretary dwrls at considerable length upon the
Mormon difficulty which, he says, has assumed an extra
ordinary and important attitude. From the first hour
they fixed themselves in the remote and almost naccess
bic territory which they now occupy, and from which
they are now sending defiance against the sove-
reign power Of the country, their whole plan,
ne tells u.s. has , been to prepare Tor rn sue
States and permanent establishment of their own.
They have practsed, he continues, exclusveness
like anything ever before known in Christian country,
and have incucated jealous dstrust OF all whose rcli
gous faith differed from their own; whom they charac
terze the general denomination of Genties They
have filed their ranks and harems chiefly from the low
est classes Of foreigners, although some parts OF the
United States have likewise contributed TO their numbers
They formidable from their strength, and much
from the remoteness Of their position and the
difficulty OF traversing the country between our from
has scarcely preserved the sembance OF obedience TO
the authority Of the United States for years past;
not at all, indeed except might confer direct
benefit upon themselves contribute TO circulate public
money N their community Whenever suited their
temper caprice they have set the United States autho
rty ut defiance OF late years, well grounded belief
has prevailed that the Mormons were nstgating the In
dams u hoscs against citizens and exciting
amongst the Indian tribes feeling Of INSTRUMENTATION and
discomfort.
II has nevertheless always been the policy and desire
Of the federal government collision this
mon community II has borne with the INSTRUMENTATION
they have exhibited under circumstances when respect
their authority has frequently counsced harsh
measures Of discipline and this forbearancc might still
prolonged and the evils rife amongst them be allowed 70
work out their own cure THIS community occupied any
other theatre isolated and remote from the seats OF civil
zaton than the they possess But unfortunately
for these views their settlements lie in the great pathway
which leads from our Atlantic states TO the new and
nourishng communities growing up upon our Pacific
board
pairing for the march Utah. that nothing should
apprehension Of action the OF the army
in the least conflicting with the fixed principles Of our in
situations, by which the military strictly subordinate 70
the civil authority. The commanding officer
fully instructed not TO allow any concl 70 take place be
the troops and the people Of the Terrory except
only he should be called upon by the Governor
soldiers 10 act posse oomdts in enforcing obedience
70 the laws In conformity with this sentiment, and 10
these people Of the real intention Of the
mcnt active discreet officer sent In advance Of the
army TO Utah, for the purpose Of purchasing provisions
peaceful intentions OF the government This duty
faithfully performed the chief men Of the fraternity
assured that violence intended towards them or
any one and THAI nothing could be further tho
tebton Of the government the army than 10 modest any
for religious opinions, however abbonent they might
be 10 the principles of Christian morality.
With the subsequent conduct OF the Mornons the read
Of the HERALD already familiar that repetition
Of here is entirely unnecessary. In view Of the me
nacng attitude OF nrs In Utah the Secretary recon-.
mends an additional reinforcement Of ave regiments
the force already detailed for service against the Nor
mons.
The staff Of the army the next subject to which the
port calls attention one Of the greatest errors OF detail
the Secretary the separate independent character
Of the staff corps which removes them from their proper
position aids or assistants To the commander, and
and denned rights u brevet rank rs also alluded
to- and remedy called FOR Another fault Is that Of pro
motion by seniority the correction OF which the secretary
urges with much force. Age and experience he says,
should bring excellence but thetet after all lies In the
tual possession 81 the latter, and not merely In the
circumstances which II s assumed should produce
H. All that has been urged IN favor OF retaining H. he
proceeds with the canger OF political personal ia
vor governing selection. There may he, he adds, dan
ger from his source; but by the rule Of seniority the
officer o. any must u he lives come 10 be
81 the most important and responsible officers under the
government-the colonel Of regiment by selection,
possible that the very best may not always be chosen
though the chances favor OF this hypothesis but
certainly the very worst will be- and this surely
gain on the present rule.
To correct these and other evk would urge 80 10
vide by law for the construction Of the regiments Of horse
artillery and nfastry, 10 approach them far
circumstances require to the practice of all nations long
experienced and ~ 10 admit their oonu action
for peace and their expansion In without altering
this bass This be done without any increase Of OH
GERS or men or augmentation OF expense, by merely
ranging these already service and the companies OF each
corIe 70 salt the end proposed.