The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-02-27
BALTIMORE.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1853.

John Milton affirmed that education alone to be
complete which fairly fits man to discharge with
equal facility, all the duties of citizen in peace
and IN war. This is especially true in a Republic
where the existence of large standing army
would be regarded as alike inimical to liberty and
| burdensome to the people, and in State whose
Bill Of Rights prOclaims "a well regulated militia
10 be the proper and natural defence of free gov
eminent" The popular jealousy and distust of
any thing approaching to a regular military estab-
lishment, and the popular preference for the en-
ployment of volunteers in any emergency requiring
the services of an armed force whether for the
purpose of repressing domestic rebellion or of re-
pelling foreign INVASION has been strikingly exem-
plified in the recent debates in Congress on the
army bill. 1t is true that the present condition of
the national finances is peculiarly nauspcious for
the success of Il proposition involving very con-
siderable addition TO the national expenses. With
an empty treasury and diminished revenues, it is
not surprising that an increase of the army should
be viewed with little favor at the present time
Yet the objections which have been urged against
such increase have deeper foundation than mere
motives OF economy; they spring from the con-
frmed and rooted antipathy of the people to stand
ing armies, and from that popular feeling which
regards the professional soldier as an anomaly
in a free government "a useless fungus upon
the surface of the body polite
The annual appropriations for the Military Acad-
envy at West Point have repeatedly been opposed
both in and out Of Congress, upon these grounds
How far this sentiment is just and reasonable and
/ far ha IN 1ica
and traditional associations of European origin We
do not now propose to determine So far as tht
feeling may find expression in hostility to Wes
Point, believe it to be unreasonable and absurd
At present, however, our business is simply witt
the fact ITSELF and with the inferences deducb
therefrom. There is such sentiment as we hay,
described generally pervading our people and ami
mating legislators. One consequence is inevi
table, and that is, apart from the fate of the partc
ular measure now pending in Congress, the genera
| policy Of our government will always be to reduc
our army to the minimum standard of peace es
/ taIlishluent. Our main reliance in time of wa
must be upon volunteers. 1t is well perhaps tha
this should be the hut the reliance will prove
be very uncertain and insecure unless more eflicen
steps are taken to provide for the military educa
! ton of the people. The home and the frcside ma,
furnish defenders sufficiently patriotic and brave
/ but the camp and the battle-ground must form tn
| soldier. Officers competent to command are want
! ed, as well as soldiers accustomed to obey. Thes
can not be eXtemporized for the occasion: the,
must be found ready fashioned TO onr hand. ro
/ this purpose we require thorough reorganization
of our State Militia laws, and above all, the esab
lishment and encouragement of military schools O
academies, where the elements both of military ant
civil education may be taught together; where tn
rising generations of the Republic may be indoctri
mated at once in the polished learning Of the clas
sizes; in the theory and practice of tactics and tn
expert use of arms, and in the sound principles @
military subordination and habitual obedience Il
law. Thus will be formed body fcitizens equal,
qualified to serve the State in the council and il
the field, adorned with all the various accomplish
ments of the scholar, the soldier, and the gentle
man,