Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1861-07-18
Army Increase.

The imputation, says the NJ 7. Tribune
on the new Congress of blind servility to
the dictates of the Administration is emphat-
ically rebuke by its resistance to the propo-
sed permanent increase of the Federal Army.
Though the subject has not yet been defni-
lively acted on, it is plain that neither House
will vote to sanction the proposed enlarge
ment, and that our young friends who have
fondly supposed themselves quartered for
life on the Treasury as Army Officers will
have to look further. Congress is ready to
do anything, everything, to press on the War
for the Union to an early and satisfactory
conclusion but, when the War shall be
over, it is determined that the Army shall be
reduced to the legal dimentions Of one year
ago. And it cannot be truely said that
journalistic criticism or popular clamor has
prompted this decision. Very little has been
said in the journals, still less in the public
assemblages, against the proposed increase
though we cannot doubt that the decision Of
Congress is in emphatic accordance both
with public sentiment and the public inter-
est. The Nation is to be saved mainly by
men to whom War is not trade but stern
necessity, and who, on the restoration OF
peace, VIII return to the walks of productive
industry. Of the Military caste, SO large a
portion has turned traitors, that the People
distrust the policy of paying-a heavy annual
tax to educate and subsist class who. in the
day of trial, seem as likely 10 be against
them as for them.
THERE'S one strong point which does not
seem to have attracted the attention of Con-
gress-that of the absolute futility of the ats
tempt to increase the Army as proposed
| Embryo oficers-asplrants to epaulettes
are as plentiful as toads after shower but
the rank and file come up missing. Though
extraordinary efforts have been made at re-
cruiting for the last three months, we do net
beleiye there are to day so many soldiers
enlisted as are required to fill up the old reg
iments, after dismissiDg the three thousand
! SO shamefully surrendered in Texas, and who
having given their parole not to serve against
the traitors, are of no use. The recruiting
officers are not earning their salt, and the
only effect of the effort to increase the Army
is to withdraw from the field experienced
| officers, whose services are greatly needed,
and post them at recruiting stations, where
they can accomplish nothing.
The Volunteer System is the natural, log
zeal. necessary reliance of Democratic Re-
putlic. No other is adapted to its instincts
or its genius. We can far more easily call
out Half Million Volunteers than enlist
Fifty Thousand Regulars And the Mexi-
can War proved our Volunteers scarcely in
ferior, and in some points superior, to Regu-
lars In the first place, they volunteer with
an express view to fighting, and because they
feel an interest in the cause which the nation
bas armed to uphold. Then they are gener-
ally better educated than the average of the
rank and file Of the Regulars, and are citi-
zens VINO have a social position to maintain
and advance-Very possibly, an ambition to
crafty, Their peighbors will read and talk
of their con iuct in the field and he who re-
turns covered with honor, though in hum
BE rank. is apt to be put forward in after
years by those of like political views, as a
candidate for ofice. 1t is popular, it is hon.
orable, to volunteer, and each State, county,
township. neighborhood, feels an interest in
the good behavior of its brigades, regiments,
companies. which makes itself respected in
battle. The conquerors OF Burgoyne at Sar-
atoga, of Provost at Plattsburgh, of Packen-
ham at New-Orleans, where mainly men
who never would have borne arms but for
the presence and imminence of grave pub
lie peril. War threatened their fresides,
and they met aud repeled it; but they were
by yoea ton and choice farmers and artisans,
not soldiers.
The Army, if thoroughly purged of trail
tors, viii doubtless play manly part in the
struggle before US; but this is a war of the
People, and should be prosecuted according
ly. If promptly pressed to just conclusion
we shall probably have lite more fighting
to do for a lifetime. Let the preparations
accord with the need Of them.