The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1865-12-08
Our Connfry.

Tns r,pidity with which the army N being
reduced does no, indicate that the Government 10
arprehsnsIve OF early war with any foreign power.
tn. Beerst.ry Of War announces in his repor, ths,
,se standing army will probably b. reduced, by
next May, 70 any thousand men, which Is the
number ,hst seems 70 b. INTENDED for the regular
p..eo establishment ard he also inimstes that the
entire cos, Of bis dep.r,menL the peace footing,
~ rot exceed thirty -iour million dollars per an
mum This exhibit shows that the country which
4. creates, in wal can also be greatest In peace.
Tic number Of men in The army in the last year OF
u o war was over one million, and the expenses OF
TO War Department were ovor Eve hundred NIL
boar. oao year lator--,he frs; year Of pssee-ths
army will DO but "eorpors's guard" eompsrs-
lively. and the expense Of It's support will 10 only
about squal to tie Interest ~ what cost
The preceding year. What more potent argu-
ment than these facts could Ia sdduosd
Ia proof o. the soundness u Republican govern
repif What monarchy would dare 70 80 sudden
T. cas-, aside iu military srmor' There Is not
hfth.rste king ION In Europe that does not main
tain . larger standing army than that which me
Government proposes 70 employ In the future. In
fact, no throne would 10 salo day With such
comparatively Insignificant army to sustain u {"
abs, alluded N, particularly soon snor the
,losinf Of . great war. But II does not follow,
., N Ties. circumstances, tina, the Government
will not be in . condition " protect It's honor and
interests Ia The event Of any sudden Interruption OF
,u, poscefuI relations wish foreign countries. Mr..
srAsros states in his report, that tho Government
has now in the military arsonsls more than mil
10, stand Of ANAL arms; more artillery than u
eau conveniently tale care Of three years supply
Of Ammunition, and an abundant stock Of clothing
and quartermA sters' stores. Tho requisite
material for carrying on nsw war 10
tacrsfors already provided, and I. for the men
10 use 4. thore are . million Of tho les, veteran
soldiers in the world, scattered over the Northern
States, who would be ready 70 spring into The ranks
sr.in 81 tho frs, tap Of the dun. And 'he South,
~, has nearly half. million splendid veterans,
large portion Of whom would be ready 10 rally
under the old dag Of their iathora and fight ss
teroicslly for It Is they latsly fought, msyuidcy,
" rVnd II In twain. In short, tho United Bates
ell continue to 10 tbs most powerful military
nation In the world. with the advantage over all
others, that II will a. all times be ready for an
emergency. without mourning much expense
Gorefor. While England. France, Russia,
Austria. and other leading European pow.
srs, are obliged 70 Keep immense
r,.ndins armies in readiness for war, thereby GU
falling great burden Of taxation upon the peop g,
our government will 10 always jus, ~ well pre-.
pared for hostilitos a. hey, and at only . nominal
.oa. The reason Of this difference betwesn our
republic aud the monarchies OF Europe is simply
thisi Tho levo Of the people for their country is
the foundation Of our national strength. while the
power Of monarchy Is founded upon the fear which
1t engenders in the public mind by sli,tering
array Of bsyonev. Bueh 10 tie difference IN seoe:
between liberty and dosposm.