The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1865-12-17
THE REDUCTION OF THE Army.
Europe begets politicalideas and sends then


Europe begets politicalidea and ssndstAem
across to our country to be nurtured, but
when grown the child is stronger and wiser
than the parent and is thenceforth refused
admission into the European family house
hold. American political institutions are
largely Indigenous, but its principles not 90
much so. Germany had confederaions,
France had republican proclvities. Back to
the Saxon Wittenagemote goes representation
in England, and in British Bills of Rights are
found those automatic principles which are
the basis ofthe American creed of freedom.
In their development and application is mark
ed their American individuality. 1t is that
that makes them aliens to Europe and causes
the dwellers in the lands whence they primal
ly sprung to refuse to receive them back to
their paternal estate in the character that has
been impressed upon them upon our own soil.
But Europe will yet learn freedom from US.
1t will yet receive in their American develop
ment those democratic institutions which had
their germnal in Europe. The United States
have been most potent teacher in the last
five years. There is one thing among the
many, that will especially surprise foreigners.
1t is the reduction Of our army and the pla-
cling of the military upon peace basis SO
soon after the termination of struggle which
marshalled the largest armies ever raised.
This is practical financial matter, thing
of reduced expenses which is forcible argu.
a. III olho,f thov E,11
understand those national characteristics and
the nature of our institution which enables
our administration to do it. There is France,
for instance. That country has been at com
narrative profound peace for half dozen years
It's people overwhelmed with taxation, have
endeayored to do away with the immense lane
and naval force which has composed its peace
military establishment, That clamor si las
effects something. The French Adminstra
ton processes tn be making great reduction
ofits standing army. Yet, after all, 1t only
amounts TO taking company or two from
most of the regiments, amounting IN all Il
taking from the probably half million of mer
composing the army some 10000 or 30, OO'
soldiers and saving only some four or FIVE mil
lions of dollars in the annual expenditures
The frame work of the army remsaus intact
This trivial reduction was probably due t
the example of the United States. Foreign
ers had said, and many of our people ha
believed, that it would be necessary to kee
up an immense standing army to preserv
peace even after the martial strength Of Il
rebellion was broken. But, no sooner ha
LEE and JOHNSTON surrendered, when II
s'boys in blue faced North and passed up
Washington and through the Great Revie
and thence home. The machinery of wi
was speedily dispensed with. While ov
the Ocean it is scarcely known that anythir
like the end of our war is reached, upwar'
Of eight hundred and fifty thousand troops a
disbanded and the mass of the war mater
sold These facts showing the difference b
tween maintaining republican and despot
sovernmehts, must lead even the most stol
Of Europeans to some wholesome thought