Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1877-05-16
How TO Reduce the Army.

permanent barracks for troops at
Washington. He thinks they would
be convenient to have at hand as a
part of his military family, and is sat
is6ed, from recent experience, that if
ten or twelve batteries OF artillery
were concentrated at the capital for
their "moral influence" on Congress,
that they would be useful, even if not
actually needed. He believes in big
army and plenty of grape to settle po-
litical controversies.
Perhaps the next House OF Repre-
sentatives may not concur in this opin-
ion. Indeed, there is little probability
that his advice will be either sought
for, or much cared for if volunteered.
He succeeded in ba,nboozling the
Committee on Military Affairs last
year, and threw dust in the eyes OF
Gen. Banning, its chairman. But
that cannot be repeated this year.
Gen. Sherman was greatly instru-
mental in getting the extra session
postponed, in order to keep the army
up to its maximum for at Least half
the tisoal year, and to prevent the re-
trenchment of his own pay and that
of other magnificently adorned officers,
who are now living in ponp and lux
ury, while the people who pay for this
grandeur are suffering beyond any
former experience
Legally, there will be no army alter
the SOth Of June, as Congress, refused
to vote the necessary appropriation.
Every contract that may be made, and
every advance of money for the ser
vice, viii be illegal and wholly de-
pendent on the will ofCongress here
after to confirm. If the whole army
should choose to desert, they could not
be punished CT restrained; tor while
it is true the soldiers enlist for a Ger
fam time if is on the condition that
they receive a stipulated pay. One
side of the contract cannot be eAacted
without q fplflment of the other. In
fact, it would be good thing 70 DIS
band the army and take fresh start,
That Is the only way to get out OF the
ancient ruta, and to infuse new vigol
into the old machine. Besides, it
would show the country how easily a
genuine reduction could oe made.
The military cabal at the capital
who are always willing to dance il
somebody else pays the piper, in thei'
easy chairs, take life comfortably, anc
who ornament the pnblic receptions
with their BRILLIANT uniforms, look up
on economy as small business, es
pecially when it touches their pockets
They say that in a great country llk'
this, fifteen or twenty millions a yea
of saving is only 2 drop in the ocean
A huge army and a mighty navy the.
believe in, and they rather think tn
officers of both should constitute al
aristocracy, before which plain an'
, poor civilians ought to bow down ant
worship. They have gradually grow
: to be a preferred class in the bod.
polite, and claim privileges which ar
y offensive to American ideas.
. 1t is high time this evil should b
, curbed, and the military be taught su
bordination to the civil authority
= Now is the opportunity to put tn
| army ard Hayy on real peace footing
] and to cut down every dime Of evceS
. slve expenditure for both. There ar
gallant and honorable officers i'll each
-, who will rejoice to see reform whicl
= will extrjpate abuses, and restore tn
, service to its olden dignity and honor
,, ". y. .S,m.