Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-06-16
From the Cincinnati Gazette. |
A standing Army.

little singular that the country receives with per-
feet equanimity. with positive approval. the
prospect of the establishment of large standing
army" 1t gives the measure of the popular
acquiescence quadruple the former size of the
regular army. And the people further in
formed that the way they came to reverse their
traditional opposition to large standing army
was by means of The great rebellion. which first
accustomed their mi0ds 10 such immense mum.
bers that the prospect Of sustaining a mere
100 600 or 80, 200 seems like a sweeping reduc
ton; and, secondly, 1.-The fatal lesson derived
from the paucty Of numbers in the regular
army a weakness which the rebellion first dis
closed TO general appreciation, ia not forgotten ."
If that lesson is that we must have a great
standing army, il is fifty called fatal one. We
think the people will bo surprised to learn that
they have accepted with equanimity, with posi-
tive approval, the already liked tact" OF the es-
tablishment of a large standing army, and that
they will inquire when they expressed this APP
prOval. or when large standing army was es-
tablished. We suppose it takes the action of
Congress to establish standing army or To in-
crease the regular army, aud that when such ali
act comes under its deliberation the Army and
Navy Journal will be able TO speak more ad-
visedly as TO what the people have approved and
what is established. In the pursuit of what is
regarded as 4 military tone, the Army and NAVY
qairies of Congress into military affairs as med
ding with affairs which did not concern them;
but this has not changed our form of Govern
ment. and We think that still Congress will have
% pass upon the matter before our regular army
is increased, great standing army estab-
ished.
That this nation. three thousand miles away
from any that IL strong enough 10 seek a war
with il, should adopt the fashion OF European
show folly that could not perceive lis own ad-
van.ages, nor nationally enjoy them. And IL
this country. which bring million of
men in arms ia six months, should keep up
standing army CT 100 900 men for defense. it
would show that great material power can be
socia,ed with very little sense. To talk Of the
necessity of standing army for the defense of
the country. after what the American volunteers
have done, is an insult to them.
The lesson derived from the war is, that large
standing army would have been an instrument of
rebellion instead Of a preventative The rebel
conspirators had the Administration in their
power and had the regular army been large
enough to have been capable OF giving decisive
effect, had il been possible to have gathered il
from the four quarters OF this vast country with
out disclosing their plans, they would have Sc
cured it TO their purposes. AS it was they
neutralized it, But the General in command OF
the largest detachment sought to surrender it to
the rebels, and only the fidelity of the private
soldiers defeated bis purpose. And after the
rebellion had broken out, and declared its pur-
poses. the War Department continued shipping
guns and ammunition to the South.
Our navy was saved in the same way. Most
OF the officers in command of the Southern forts
were ready and willing to give them up to the
seeessionsts. Fort Sumter was saved contrary
to the intention of the Secretary of War.
large standing army and navy would have ag-
gravated our troubles. Aod in no possible cir
cumstances can standing army be safeguard
against rebellion and civil war, except circum-
stances in which rebellion would be impossible
Besides, standing army without war is not
thorough training in the art OF war. That can
not be had without actual service in war No
lesson IS better established by this than that
our Generals have had 10 be educated b, the war
-schooled anew BY experiment at the country's
cost.
We are aware that the war has accustomed the
people 10 enormous numbers both in men aud
money, go that what before seemed extravagant
appears almost beneath notice now. When we
have had q million of men under arms, a regular
army OF lOO, 600 appears a sweeping reduction
and when we are expendiEg three millions a day,
economy which tries TO save only thousands
seems mean. But the American people have got
to accustom themselves 10 the value of moderate
figures if they are ever going TO pay their debt.
And when the finances are separated from the
overslsughing loans. and every dollar that IS paid
out has 10 be drawn from the pockets of the peo-
ple no economy will be counted contemplate.
and the cost Of standing army of 100 900 or
$50 900 mer 20. ornamental purposes, will not
be looked upon as a trfe
Our lecessity for a standing army is diminish
ing instead of increasing The Indians are stead
liz decreasing and the tide OF emigration will soon
. ipe them out Our frontiers are safe, or where
they exposed 10 hostile incursions the inhaoi
Iants have taken care OF themselves, and their
capacity to do so is increasing For ole genera
ton We have people already trained in war. and
after what the American patriotic volunteers have
done We can safely trust the defense of the Re
public 10 the patriotism and martial spirit of the
people