The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1876-01-14

If the Democrats in Congress carry out
their purpose to reduce the army from 25,-
900 to $4,000 they will perpetrate politi-
cal blunder for which the saving in expense
will not be a compensation. There is no
first-class Power in the world which main
tains SO small an army as ours. France,
with population of $4,000, 900, has
standing army of 308, 900 men; Great Brit
ain, with population of 80, ,000, 600, hasan
army of 225, 600; Germany, with popula-
ton of 41,000,000, has a peace establish
ment of 274,0 Even our weak neigh
Dor, Mexico, with population of only
5000, 900, maintains an army nearly rs
large as ours is at present, the Mexican
army consisting of %, 387 men. Our mill
tary burden in time of peace is altogether
smaller than that of any other nation in
proportion to our territory, population and
resources. If there he any reason why we
should maintain an army at all it ought to
be at least as large as it is at present.
In 1866, twenty years ago, under DEM
ocratic administration, with Jefferson Da
Wis as Secretary of War, the army consist.
ed of u, 7a9 men, say in round numbers
13,000. Our population at the preceding
census was %, 900, 900. Our population in
1870 was about 100000; and if our army
bore the same proportion to the population
at present that it did in 1855 it would
amount to about %, 600, or only two thous-
and short of the actual number. But We
have greater proportionate use for troops
than we had twenty years ago. At that
time our settlements had not penetrated
through the whole region between the Mis-
sissippi Valley and the Pacific Coast Our
settlements and mining establishments
throughout the slopes of the Rocky Noun
tains require military protection against the
incursiens of Indians and create necessity
for corresponding army. Twenty years
ago the Mexican border was not in a state
of chronic disturbance as it is at present,
nor was there the same necessity for taking
precautions against conflict of races in
the Southern States Moreover, we had
not then purchased Alaska, which requires
constant military superintendence. We
quite agree with General Sherman, in his
recent speech at tho New England dinner,
that it would be sinwise to reduce the army
below its present number. Even when the
troops are not called into active service the
Indians are kept in awe and the South per-
haps kept tranquil by the knowledge that
there is force that could be promptly used
in an emergency. In matters of this kind
the proverb holds good that an ounce Of
prevention is worth pound Of cure, asw as
signally demonstrated by our military help
lessness at the outbreak Of the civil war.
Had we possessed 25,0o0 troops at that
time the rebellion might have been nipped
in the bud and the country saved stupen-
dous satR.fices of blood and Treasure.
1t would be q political mistake to cut
down the army to the extent proposed, be-
cause the army is popular and is admins
tered with more honesty than any other
branch Of the public service. a reduction
Of the rank and file would naturally be ac-
companied with corresponding reduction
OF officers; AM, II the Democratic hostility
to General Sheridan and those who share
his political views should cause their dis
n,issal there would be popular cotnnoticn
which would revive and enlist on the Re-
publican side the sentiments -whiah anade
that party so strong and irresistible during
and subsequent ID the war. II the Demo
Gratis in Congress arc prudent they will cur
tail expenses ID those branches Of the pub
liz sersice which arc corrupt before naed-
ding with the army and its popular Off
ers. Ns,r Yern HsSata De-. fs'f1: