Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-01-26
TIE ARMY.

MIR. Davis bill Tor al increase Of The army OF the
United SGtea, is the special order for to-day at half
past twelve o'clock, in the U. s Senate We have Oh
more than one occasion advered to this subject be-.
tore. And considering it one of the most important
and urgent questions now before tie country, we re-
fer to 1t again with more than ordinary interest. AL
'hough The character and structure Of our govern
nen are such as to preclude the necessity OF large
standing army it s nevertheless eminently essenal
that we should have regular soldiers enough to meet
emergencies as they may arise In extent of territory
this counryis already enormous. and it is still rapidly
expanding Hostile Indian tribes still dspredate Oh the
frontier. We have forts along the Atlantic coast
aud in the far West that must be maintained
And just now the rebellion 10 Utah directs pub
lio attention to the utter nadequacy Of hs United
States army, in any emergency that requires with
drawal Of even email number of troops from the
various military posts Of the country. In time OF
peace our army is barely large enough to furnish
respectable garrison to each of the forts And in The
event of war with any formidable foreign power, it
would require almost, if not quite the whole of it to
man fortress Monroe. 1t is true has been proved
that the American people may rely with confidence
on their citizen soldiery TO sustain the prestige OF
their arms. But the regular army is the nucleus.
around which the volunteers must gather to
render their strength aud their valor as eff.
fective as they should be in battle II is
true that there Ia q natural jealousy Of standing ar
mics on the part Of every free people. But at the
same time, as long as the world is wicked enough to
require physical force to sustain moral and political
lawa sodiers will be essential as statesmen The
army Of the United States might be enlarged to three
times i;s present size, without aording any occasion
for the rernotest apprehension on the part Of the
most nervous objector to military power. We would
not advocate standing army at all comparable in
numbers TO- those of the nations Of Europe There
10 no necessity for 80 large regular force in this
try, where the rulers the servants and the people
are the sovereigns. But there is stern necessity
for regular troops enough to the eSigences Of
the country with promp.neas and power.
An increase OF the number of the Cadets at West
Point, is, We think, advisable. Military education is
essential 10 the bravest leaders. And while vol
unteer force always responds with enthusiasm to the
calls of the country, it is all.imporant that there
should he no want OF officers who have been bred 10
arms. But there is another scheme which we sug.
gested some time ago, which we think preferable to
multiplication OF the cadets at West Point. We al
lude to the establishment of another national military
schoo on similar plan in the South We can see
no reason that this should not be done whenever II is
decided that the necessities Of the nation demand
enlargement of he regular army. And wo think
that decision will be made by Congress in a few
days. Let the question then be agtated now while
the army bill is under discussion.
The regiments recommended for Utah should be al
thorized and rassd and equipped at once. The apring
will soon be upon US. The little army in Utah will
perhaps soon be sadly in need Of reintorcements'
And We most earnestly hope that The debate on the
question will be brief In fact trust that no serious
opposition will be made TO raising the regiments.