Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1861-12-26

the number of officers Will be decreased anu |
the expenses diminished.
AS an evidence of the strength of our in
stitutions and the patriotism of our people,
people, the Secretary aludos to the fact that
in "ApIil 5000 volunteers were called upon
| to enlist for three months service, and re-
sponed with such alacrity that 1875 ware
Immediately obtained. Under the authority
of the act of Congress of July %, 1861, the
States were asked to furnish 500, 900 volun-
teers, to serve for three years, or during the
war; and by tho act approved the goth of
the same month, the addition Of 25, 900 mon
to the regular army of the United States was
authorized. The result is, that we have now
an army of upwards of 1000 men. If
! we add to this the number OF the discharged
three months volunteers, the aggregate force
furnished to the Government since April
last exceeds 100000 men"
The Secretary aludes to the course of tho
States of Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky
and Missouri, in pretty much the same terms
as the President has done in his message
He alludes to the fact the Government found
itself deficient in arms, &C., at the breaking
out of the rebellion, Through tho bad faith
! Of those entrusted with their control during
the preceding administration, The Armory
at Harper's- s-Ferry hay. ing been destroyed to
prevent its possession and use by tho rebels
the Government was compelled to rely upon
:he single armory at Springfield, and upon
private establishments, for supply OF arms"
This latter armory has had its capacity in
creased, and 10000 muskets per month it is
now expected will be made, and as large
amount of new machinery has been pur-
chased, it is confidently anticipated that it
will the coming year turn out 200, 900 stand
of arms. Ia addition to which, pumerous
private establishments have been encourage!
by the Government.
1t i. proposed that national foundry
shall be established at some suitable point
for the manufacture of artillery.
a reorganization of tho militia of the
country is proposed. upon some uniform ba-
sis, by which it can be organized, armed and
disciplined, and made effective any moment
for immediate service.
From tho evidences displayed by recent
events Of the alacrity of our people to fly to
arms in defence of the country, the secretary
.does not hesitate to express the belief that
no combination Of events can arise in which
this country will not be able, not only to
protect itself, but, contrary to its policy,
which is peace with all the world, to enter
upon aggressive operations against any pow
or that may intermeddlo will, our domestic
affairs.
Recommendations are made to put our
coast dsfences in state Of preparation for
any emergency.
The sanitary condition of the army is re-
ferred to, and a just tribute is paid to "the
good men and women in the different States,
impelled by the highest motives of benev-
the constituted sanitary arrangements of the
Government and been greatly instrumental
in diminishing disease in the camps, giving
increased comfort and happiness to the life
of the soldier, and impartng to our hospital
service n more humane and generous char
acter" 1t is promised that visilant caro-
, shall be given to the health Of the well SOL
dier, and tue comfort aud recovery Of tie
sick.
, The Secretary thinks that there is no army
in the world better provided for than ours,
and that no force so large and so well equip
ped, was ever put in the field in SO short a
space of time at 50 small expense and adds
that-"whilo it is my intention to preserve
the strictest economy and accountability,
I think the last dollar should be expended
and the last man should be armed to bring
this unoy rebellion to speedy and perma-
nent close.
Allusion is made to a proposed reconstruc-
ton of the boundaries in connexion with
the Capital, and the adjacent States of Della
ware, Maryland and Virginia. The impor-
tanco Of this question to our own State re-
quires that We should give the remarks Of
the Secretary in full. He says:
"Wisdom and true craftsmanship would
dictate that the seat of the National Gov
crnmcnt, for all time to como, should be
placed beyond reasonable danger of seizure
by enemies within, as well as by foes from
without. BY agreement between the States
named, such as was effected, for similar pur-
poses, by Michigan and Ohio, and by Mis-
souri, and Iowa. their boundaries could be so
changed as to render the Capital more re-
mote than at present from the influence of
State governments which have arrayed them
selves in rebellion against the Federal au-
thority.
''1'o this end, the limits Of Virginia might
be so altered as to make her boundaries con-
sist of the Blue Ridge on the east, and Penn
sylvana on the North, leaving those on the
south and west as at present BY this ar
rangement, two counties of Marylan (Alle-