The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-12-21

country; and the figures given by Mr.. Stanton
emphasize at an important moment what the
| whole progress Of our war made evident-ths
fact that we are in truth the first military Power
| Of the earth. Indeed, in view Of the events Of
the past four years, 1t would not be extravagant
to say that the possible power Of the United
States for the purposes of war ID equal to the
combined power Of the FIVE great nations Of
Europe-Austria, Prussia, Russia, England and
France. The aggregate armed force Of those
five nations Is two millions of men, and that Is
the number Of men that the Northern States
alone have put into the field in the past four
years. Add to that force, a. tho collective
power Of the United States, the men with which
the South through four years held mp against
our blows, and the numbers will be sufficiently
In our favor to balance what war might add to
their numbers. And II 1t ID In their power to
greatly increase their force, It is equally certain
that the full strength of this country YVES never
yet brought out.
But the present position Of our foreign rela-
tons gives greater interest to the especial con-
trast between our power and the power Of
England and France. The published reports
show that our force actually on foot when Lee
laid down his arms was a great deal larger
| than the combined armies Of those two nations,
taken at their highest numbers and when Or
| ganized for war. The actual army Of France
| is four hundred thousand men; but war runs it
up two hundred thousand higher, the difference
| being counted as reserve which the govern
ment can call out as the necessity may arise.
The French army numbered six hundred thou
sand men in 1859. England keeps up two
distinct army establishments-th home force
and the Indian army. Her army Is
counted at two hundred and twenty thousand
men, though perhaps, strict account of the
Sepoys in her service would run II much above
that. The history Of the CrimSan war is indu-
bitable evidence that England Is practically
he feeblest Of the five military.Powers Of Eu-
tope. The force she has is scattered In her
vast colonial possessions and at different points
in the British islands, and is none too large for
the occupation Of the places at which 1t Is
posted. 1t cannot be withdrawn. England
has an empire no part of which would be Sc
cure for day without the presence Of her
stances. Such Is the consequence Of govern
ment on the English system. England could
not by the most herculean exertions anster
one hundred thousand effective men at any
point out Of the British islands.
Thus ON paper the fighting force Of ENGLAND
and France together amounts to eight hundred
thousand men; but we have seen that armies
which look very grand on paper are cut down
tremendously by the day Of battle. On paper
the single State Of New York Is stronger than
France, for our population capable OF bearing
arms is greater than the French army with alf
its reserve. Against the eight hundred thou
sand Of the two Powers we have to place the
fact that we had In the field In May, 1866, ene
million men. That wss the second million
that the States Of the North had placed
in the field within four years. Let It 30 re-
membered, TO show the contrast at Its greatest,
that this force only represented one section Of
the country, and that the great armies which
| fought this war on both sides are 10 be taken
| by Europe as the measure Of the power We
could use against foreign nation.
C0N0REss ON MILITARY AND NAVAL SCH0OfS.-
Gcnerai Banks, Of Massachusetts,, has intro
duced resolution in Congress looking TO the
establishment Of military and naval schools in
| tho various States Of the Union, a. auxiliaries
to the schools at West Point and Annapolis.
| We oan see no reason whatever for such a reso-
luton, and are surprised that General Banks
should have offered It. II more military and
naval schools are needed, let US have one in
each section Of tho country; but let them be
under the charge Of the general government,
and not Of the individual States. The military
schools at the South prior 10 the rebellion fos-
tered and developed State pride at the expense
Of the patriotic sentiment Of nationality, and
contributed in no small degree to cause and to
strengthen tho rebellion. We have no desire
that the pernicious influences Of these State in.
situations should be again renewed. The Amer
lean people ought to cherish no other army, no
other navy, and no other schools for the army
| and navy than those Of the United States. For
the individual States the militia is sufficient,
and every drill room Is q military school. But
crease the number Of its military academies,
\ should never intrust such establishments to the
separate States.
MAYOR GuNTHER AND CRY REFoRM.-We are
glad to notice that Mayor Gunther has at last
taken a step in the right direction. He pro-
poses to the Common Council principle Of
economy, both in time and money, which with
out doubt will meet the appreciation Of our
citizens. According to the system at present
in existence all resolutions, including those
making donations to blind persons, granting
permissions to construct bay windows, to oc-
cupy stands on the public streets, to exhibit
signs and merchandise, to erect awnings, and
upon numerous other trivial subjects, even to