The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-02-04

Ane ierrltor1al Legislature of Kansas pro-
poses to pass an act calling another Convention
TO form State Constitution Should Congress
reject the Lecompton Constitution, it is not im-
probable that, committed as the Administra-
ton appears TO be to the doctrine that the Kan
sas eoraska act is an enabling one, the Legis.
iature may be left to follow its own course. But,
should the Lecompton Constitution be rejected,
and Congress also pass fair enabling act, we
suppose Convention would be held under its
authority, and, for one, we have not so far for
gotten our hostility to Squatter Sovereignty,
shat we should not be disappointed at seeing
any OF our friends giving countenance to such
an absurdity.
THE ARMY BIrL-PoLICY OF THE ADMIN
| .IsTRATI0N.
| The Secretary of War recommended to Con.
gress the increase of the army by FIVE add.
tional regiments, the object being a perma-
nent augmentation of our standing army. The
Committee on Military Affairs in the Senate
has so far modified this plan as to report a bill
through its chairman, jefferson Davis, for rails.
ing thirty additional companies, avoiding the
increase of field officers. Mr.. Toombs, in his
speech in the Senate, stated, with precision, the
nature of the proposition:
This bill-and would call the attention of
the Senate particularly to that fact-adds thirty
companies, equal to three regiments, to the
present military organization, with all their of.
6cers, except field officers. It is taking three
instead of five regiments-that is the difference
between the first section of this bill and the
proposition ofthe War Department. The section
| which seek to strike out adds two companies
to each regiment, making an addition of thir.
ty companies to the whole army, equal to three
regiments OF ten companies each. By this sec
ton, therefore, you are adding three regiments
to the army, to the same extent as the present
regiments in number, except the regimental off,
GERS"
The present nominal strength of the regular
army is lS,0O0-its effective force is estimated
at $4,000. During the Administration of the
War Department by Mr.. Calhoun, the expense
of maintaining the army was $273 man now,
according to statement made by Mr.. Hamlin,
in the debate in the Senate, repeated by Mr..
Toombs, and not contradicted, the expense is
$1,000 per man.
We have observed the debate closely, but,
thus far, can see no good reason for voting this
increase of the army. The Chairman of the
Committee Mr.. Davis, defends its policy on
| general grounds Our frontiers are extensive
our population scattered-numerous posts must
be occupied-savage tribes be restrained-the
pioneers of civilization protected. The welfare
of the country demands, it is said, permanent
| augmentation of the army.
The increase of our military and naval forces
has been pertinaciously insisted upon by late
Administrations. The last Administration
wanted ten war.steamers; the present demands
five new regiments for the army. Why? Our
power is now so great, the Importance of peace
full commerce with us by the world is so we'll
understood, that we are in no danger of aggres-
sion from any State in Christendsm and, were
we assaiied, our main reliance after all would
be citizen soldiery. We want no regular SOL
diers to maintain order in the States or enforce
the laws: and as for protection against In.
dams, Mr.. Toombs, in his very able speech,
sufficiently proved that there is really less evil to
be apprehended from savage hostilites now than
at former periods of our history, when. the army
WAs Ro Aan pc 5BFqHg e # il in0h 70 the armv
Is needed for the repression of the rebellion in
Utah, needs proof. Already two thousand men
are encamped on the border of the Territory.
ready for operations in the spring, and, if the Ad
ministration should abandon its criminal policy
OF attempting to force fraudulent Constitution
upon the people eff Kansas, it could reinforce
the Utah army with the two thousand troons
it has placed in Kansas to overawe free peo.
pie. An army, four thousand strong, would
be sufficient for all present purposes in Utah.
Not those who vote against the increase of a
standing army, will be responsible, should evil
happen to the army of Utah from it's weakness.
but the dread responsibility will rest alone upon
the President, who, with an unexampled in.
fatuation, persists in pursuing despotic course
towards Kansas, which can be carried out onlv
by Federal bayonets. Let him retreat from his
criminal position--let the People of Kansas
alone, free to form their own domestic inst;tu.
tlons, and the two thousand soldiers now there
may be ordered to unite with the army in Utah.
to maintain the Government of the TTn;ted
states against men, not contending for their
rights, but combined for the overthrow of the
authority of the United States.
1t is asked again and again, why 80 urgent
for this increase of the army? The question
was asked in the last Congress, why 80 urgent
for an increase of the naval force The same
indefinite answer is returned-the necessities
of the service require it. Wien it is proposed
to strengthen that arm of the Government
most dangerous to the liberties of the Peonle
and to add millions to the expenditures of the
Government, while its Treasury is exhausted.
the representatives Of the People are entitled
to information somewhat more definite. Not a
cent should they vote, unless they know the
reason, and know the reason to be a good one.
We recolect that the last Administration do.
sired Cuba-was willing to pick quarrel with
Spain for the purpose of obtaining it-but, be-
ing bafied by Congress in the policy of in.
creasing our belligerent forces, did not respond
to the Ostend Manifesto, in accordance with the
hopes of its signers. At any time, within the
last five or six years, we might have had q war
on our hands, had the country been prepared
with such navy and army as would have suit.
ed our so.called Democratic Administration.
President Buchanan in his message announces
that we have subject of controversy with
Spain. The Southern papers are pleased with
this, and have no doubt that he will demand
proper redress, and, if it be refused, will COM
pei it. When the Shareholders are star.
tied BY the summary seizure of the ilibuster
Walker, Administration organs soothe them by
the aaauraucA that The fool;.h ,>.l:.- .c.L..I