The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1865-11-08

REDUCTION OF THE ARMY.-The recent forward move
ment IN the reduction of the army viii be welcomed by
all OF our taxpayers, who are Rot living of the
;onal revenues The order OF general Grant announc-
ed few days since musters out OF service the whole
volunteer cavalry east of the Mississippi similar
ORDER only modified to embrace good part OF the
infantry force may, we hope, be found advisable
to the large army Kept up at heavy cost west
Of the Mississippi There are few score Of thousands
of red men roaming over the plains or through the
mountains to whom it has been often said that it is
cheaper TO feed than to fight them We trust that the
efforts OF the government TO treat with them will result
10 showing tatt Is consistent not only with humanity
but with interests, to pursue pacific policy toward
them. 1t is the belief Of many, who have had the best
opportunities of studying the character and dispos
ton of the Indians, that they would appreciate such
policy and respond to it. supposng its operation to be
Kept free from counteracng utererences on the par
Of badly disposed white men. If the United State:
were at peace with the Indians as she easily might be
four-ftths of the present force now occupying the
Indian country might be Withdrawn from it.
With the exception Of black garrsons at some of the
seacoast forts for which the requisite number OF reg
ments have been settled, all the black troops now in
the service are to be mustered out This dsbandment
Is to proceed as rapidly may be, consistently with
the wants OF the several departments reported BY
the department commanders
1t is said that it is in contemplation to reduce the
army even below 10000 men. This number is certainly
large any requirements of the country call for It
is useless to repeat that need keep up an army
for defence against foreign aggression. Wewere never
less in danger from foreign nations than now The same
remark Is really tue of danger from internal causes
There probably never iii the whole history of the
country time when lnsurrecton, revolt rebellion
was to be feared so little as at this moment is it
probable that for many long years to come any portion
of our people will feel any stomach for fight 'on
that line"
1t should not be overlooked that, when the country
wants armies however large it can get them They
can be improvised All that is wanted is nucleus.
small army with educated welltrained officers is all
that is needed; and ii only fair share of moderation
rules counSels in the future all that will be required
of this army police duty And for that duty force
of $4,000 or 10000 is all that the wants of the
country need and all that it should be asked to pay for
INsURucTIoE OF THE FREEDMEN.-In the proceedings
of the diocesan council which held its seventeen annual
council at St. Paus episcopal church in Richmond Va
September Goth, find that the bishop, clergy and
laity of that communion have determined to provide
ton Of the freedmen, by the establishment OF paroeha
schools.
The following is extracted from the published pro-
ceedings Of the council
The committee on the religious instruction of the ne
groes made the following report:
Recognising the change in the social condition of the
co0red race the church of Virginia desires express
her continued interest in the welfare both spiritual and
temporal, of the freedmen scattered throughout the
diocese; therefore, resolved
!. That the clergy of the diocese of Virginia pledge
themse to renewed efforts in the work of their re
gious instruction by preaching, Sunday school efforts
and every other available that may contribute to
their moral and religious well-beng.
2. That the laiy of the diocese will cooperate with
their pastors and far practicable both in the
Sunday school and at home give particular attention
to their mentalas well as religious instruction.
5. That as Of the means for the accomplishment
of the above purpose, the establishment OF parochia
schools be recommended.
This last resolution it is stated, introduced Into
the report at the suggestion of the bishop who stated
that not more than hour previous h. had CONVEX
sation with Gen. Howard, and that that officer stated
that if the council would take such action he would in
erest himself the matter and aid the church as mucl
possible.