The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1858-02-04
The Army of the United States con-

/
rate We shall shall soon have a standing
army of SO, 600 men. The simplicity OF
our early republicanism is passing away.
and we are Fastening to follow the exam
pie of all the older governments of the
earth. The proposition comes from the
| War Department, in its Annual Report,
to increase the army at once to the extent
Of five new regiments, or, in other words
to add something over fourth to the ex-
stiDg force. This proposition is modi-
fed the War Committee of the Senate, OF
which the late Secretary of War. Jeffer-
son Davis, is Chairman, 10 the following
manner: The Committee propose, Instead
of adding new regiments to the army, to
add 80 companies to the existing regi-
ments, and to increase the number o!
men in each company. The result pro-
posed is the same in each case, namel J,
an addition to the aggregate army force;
only the proposition Of the Secretary OF
War would add but about 4.500 men,
while that of the Senate adds $3.50.
Both the Secretary Of War and the Ar
my Committee of the Senate place the
required addition on general grounds,
and desire a permanent increase of the
force, without any reference to what is 60.
ing on in Utah. Mr.. Jefferson Davis
takes especial pains to disclaim the idea
that the Mormon war occasions the de
nand for the required increase. He putt
it on the ground of our expanding terrific
ry and growing military wants. ID the
debate in the Senate thus far, We have OBJ
served a refreshing hostility to the pro-
posed increase. 1t is opposed outright
by Messrs Toombs, FessendeO, Hale.
Foster, and others, and it receives only a
hesitsting support from Messrs. Hunter
and Seward. We are surprised to see a
preference shown for the Com mittee's bill.
That surely and permanently enIarges the
army. 1t add. thirty companies, with
their ninety officers, permanently to the
existing establishments; and though the
the companies may remain in skeletons,
the officers are perpetual fixture. But
the companies will not remain untitled,
except ouly to the extent Of the difficulty
in making euliStmeDts--a difficulty al
ways felt in our army, and which keeps
its number reduced reduced usually
below the allowed force. But extraordi-
na:y exertions will overcome this. The
only true D ode of keeping the number OF
the army down is, to allow no increase
either in companies or the number OF
men in the companies. If We must have
additions for special objects, as in the
case of the proposed Mormon war, let
Congress vote new regiments, to be dis
banded when that war is over. Ths
seems to he the proper and natural cour-r
and one that everybody can comprehend.
The plan Of Jefferson Davis is an insid.
Gus effort TO permanently enlarge the ar.
ny to 25,O00 men. Members of Con
sress seem to favor it on the ground of
an imms sginary economy. That view j.
delu>ive. For the ultimate fact il that it |
crestos an an army OF $4,000 men. when
ever the President sees fit to order the
to be filed. Mr.. Pugb's a
mendment, that the companies shall DOT
contain over eighty meU after two years.
is an expcdieut that will prove Elusive 10
practice. The removal of 50 slight hin.
drsnce as that could be obtained at any
time on recommendation of the War
without exciting even the at
tentiou of Congress The only true way
We repeat, Is to resolutely oppose the idea
Of permanent increase. Ii the Admin
stratioD wants troops for Utah, let it say
so, and if needed; let them be voted -
Grant the necessary regiments, with a
provision for their total disband dment " ben
,he exigency is over. This plan may cost
more for the moment. but it will be cheap
sst in the eud. for by it we shall escape
he permanent Increase the military met
are aiming at, and the endless expense
hereby entailed.
Another thing should be done. All
ltteupt,to pass any Army bill whatever
hould be resisted by Congress until The
Kansas question is closed, This is
PLAIN dictate of good policy. Mr.. Sew
,rd' proposition that the Increased force
# the army shall not be used in Kansa>
5 well enough 10 sentiment, but is with
,ut any practical force, inasmueh as that
esult cannot be insured under the bill
lie favors. There is no need of haste in
he matter. Kansas is Oh the carpet
low, and can be sooD disposed of, so far {
IS Congress is concerned. Let US wait
nd see what is really intended by that
'ody on the subject, before any Army S
ill whatever is passed. Col. Johnsous I
osition in the mountains, whether good
r bad, cannot be relieved by any sudden
movement of Congress No troops can
each him till next summer at auY rate.
nd they can only be those now Oh the
rontier, and not those to be yet raised
he idea suggested in debate, that the t
afety of Col. Johnston S force may de- {
end upon the success Of rhe present bill, :
r any till to be brought before this Con- q
rcss, is without foundation. No such $
uggeStion comes from the Comm mittee Oh a
Hillary affairs or the War Department !
Col JohnstoD's force is to suffer, that |
the result of a fault already oumitted Il
t Is too late for Congress to mend the