The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1858-02-09
DEBATE IN THE o. 8. SENATE.

In the Senate. on the LIST inst, the bill to
increase the Army being under discussion.
Gen. Houston, of Texas. said:
He saw no necessity for large standing
armies in time of peace. He alluded in
disparaging terms to the West Point Acad-
envy, saying that graduates from that insti-
tuition were often promoted over the heads
of cd and well tried veterans, and arguing
that it was bar to honorable military am
bitian on the part of civilians. He advoca-
ted raising volunteers as being more pre-
ferable to regulars, and not more expensive.
Some years ago four regiments were raised.
What have they donel Killed few In
dams or warriors, but many women and
children. Such conduct reflects little
credit upon civilization. 1t would be better
to treat the Indians like men and elevate
them. than to deceive and rob them, and
then hunt them down like savage beasts
Do justice to them and you will need no
standing army on the frontier.
Mr. SEWARD believed there was no one i'm
the chamber in favor of large standing
army; at the same time there are none who
suppose that the police Of this empire can
be conducted without military force
None are for regular army ; none are for
no regular army. All depends upon the
exigency which would need an increase of
the army, and that fact necessitaies the
consideration of what may probably be the
action of the Government on other grounds.
lie would not vote for an increase, if it
were to be sent to Kansas. Yet the in
crease of our territory always will render
an increase of the army necessary. 1t is
argued that the bill is not founded on the
fact that a rebellion exists. The facts,
10 70 70 hn
Government organs. And the fact is that
a leprous band of foreigners are centred in
the Salt Lake Valley. They have come to
regard themselves as independent of the
United States, and now in league with the
Indians, way lay and commit depredations
On travellers to the Pacific shore. He be-
lieved there would be no collision. but it
was because the Administration was max
ing such an imposing military display as
would command respect and eXtort obedi
ence. He was in favor of an increase, to
be disbanded when the emergency ceased.
modification to the member from New
York. He reminded the Senate when
Daniel Webster, in the zenith ofhis fame, laid
himself before the slave power, to be cuffed
when he was used. He condemned the
Senator from New York for propounding
such fatal and damnable doctrines. MIR
Hale continued at length to denounce the
views and oppose the bill.
Mr. SEWARD. So far from complaining
at the treatment of the Senator from New
Hampshire, he gave the latter his thanks.
but he would not initiate his honorable
friend. He would be unfit to be here, if
he could not postpone party to serve his
whole country. He wsuld not be deferred
from giving an honest vote because it did
not agree with his party. There is 10 prin-
cple in the case, but question of the ap-
piicaton of principle. He thought the
error of Mr. Hale and others was in thinking
the battle not yet over, when it was; and
whatever the Administration might do, be-
fore another year there would be nineteen
free to fifteen slave States.