Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-12-11
Our shipping Interests.


turbances beyond our limits.
Our shipping Interest"
The commerce Of the United States with
foreign nations, and especially the export OF
domestic productions, has Of late years large
" increased but the greater portion of this
trade is conducted in foreign vessels. The
Importance of charging our foreign trade,
and especially by direct and speedy inter-
change with Countries on this continent, can
not be over estimated, and II is matter oil
great moment that our own shipping interest
should receive TO the utmost practical extent
the benefit of our commerce with ether lands.
These considerations are forcibly urged by
all the large commercial cities OF the country,
and public attention is generally and wisely
attracted to the solution of the problems they
present. Ii is not doubted that Congress will
take them up in the broade.t spirit of hber-
ality and respond TO the public demand by
practical legislation upon this important sub
ject.
The Army and Its WORK
The report Of the Secretary of War shows
that the army has been actively employed
during the year and has rendered very i'm
portant service in suppressing hostilities in
the Indian country and in preserving peace
and protecting life and property in the int
rior as well as along the Mexican border. \
long and arduous campaign has been prose
cuted with final complete success against a
portion Of the Ncz Porces tribe OF Indians.
A full account of this campaign will be found
in the report Of the general of the army. Ii
will be seen that in its course several battles
were fought, in which a number of gallant
officers and men lost their lives. Join with
the Secretary of War and the general of the
army in awarding TO the officers and men
employed in the long and toilsome pursuit
and in the final capture of these Indians the
honor and praise which il SO Justly their due
The very serious riots which occurred IN
several of the states, in July last, rendered
necessary the employment OF a considerable
portion Of the army 10 preserve the peace and
maintain order in the states OF West Virgin
ia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Illinois.
These disturbances were so formidable as 20
defy the local and state authorities, and the
national executive was called upon IN the
mode prescribed by the constitution and laws
70 furnish military aid. | am gratined 70 be
able 70 state that the troops sent in response
TO these calls 70 AID in the suppression OF do
nestle violence were able by the influence of
their presence in the disturbed regions TO
preserve the peace and restore order without
the use Of force. In the discharge of this
delicate and important duty both officers and
men acted with great prudence and courage,
and for their services deserve the thanks Of
the country.
Disturbances along the Rio Grande in
Texas, 10 which | have already referred,
have already rendered necessary the
constant employment of military force
in that vicinity. full report of all
recent military operations in that quar-
ter has been transmitted 10 the House of
Representatives in answer 70 resolution Of
that body, and il will not, therefore, be ne
cessary 10 enter into details. regret 10 say
that these lawless inCursions into our terri
tory BY armed bands from the Mexican side
of the line for the purpose OF robbery, have
been Of frequent occurrence, and in spite Of
the most vigorous efforts Of the commander
Of our forces, the maraulers have generally
succeeded in escaping int MeXics with their
plumber. In May last gave orders for the
exercise Of the utmost vigilance on the part
Of our troops for the suppression of these
raids and the punishment Of guilty parties
as well as the recap;ure Of property stolen
by them. Gen. Ord, commanding in Texas,
was directed TO invite the cooperation Of the
Mexican authorities in efforts 10 this end, and
10 assure them that / was anxious 10 avoid
giving the least offence to Mexico. At the
same time he was directed 10 give notice of
nv determination to put an end TO the inva-
sion of our territory by lawless bands intent
upon the plumber Of our peaceful citizens even
if the eilectual punishment of the outlaws
should make the crossing of the border by
- fbafr II -
believed that this policy has had the effect to
check somewhat these depredations, and that
with 4 considerable increase of our force
upon that frontier and the establishment Of
several additional military posts along the
Rio Grande so as 10 more efectually guard
that extensive bCr Ter peace may be preserved
and the lives and property Of our citizens in
Texas fully p7otecIed.
Prior 10 the first Of July last ;he army was
in accordance with the law reduced 10 the
maximum off,, 900 enlisted men, being re-
ductiOn of 300 below the force previously
authorized. This reduction was made as re-
CURED by law entirely from the infantry and
artillery branches of the service, without any
reduction of the cavalry. Under the law as
il nov stands, il IS necessary that the cGyal-
~ regiments be recruited 10 one hundred
men IN each company for service on the
Mexican and Indian frontiers. The neces-
sary effect of this legislation is to reduce the
infantry and artillery arms Of the service be-
low the number required for efficiency, aud |
concur with the Secretary of War in recon-
mending that authority be gwen 10 recruit all
companies 10 AZ least 30 men, and all batter
les Of artillery TO at least - men, with power
IN case of emergency, to increase the f1rmer
10 100 and the latter to l22 men.
invite your special attention TO the fol-
lowing recommendations of the Secretary Of
War First, that provision be made for sup
plying TO the army more abundant and bet
ter supply Of reading matter; second, that
early action be taken by Congress booking
to a complete revision and republication of the
army regulations; third, that section l25S of
the Revised Statutes, limiting the number of
officers on the retired list, be repealed;
fourth, that the claims arising under the act
Of July 4th, 1864, for supplies taken by the
army during the war be taken from the OFF,
ces Of the qnaitermasters and commissary
generals and transferred to the Southern
Claims Con mission, or some other tribunal
having more time aud better facilities for
their promp! investigation and decision than
are possessed by these officers fifth, that
Congress provide for annuitieS for tue families !
IF deceased soldiers, as recommended by the !
PayGaster General of the army.
The Navy.
The report Of the Secretary of the Navy |
hows that we have six squadrOns now en-
,aged in the protection of our foreign COM