The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-08-31
THE ARMY APPROPRIATION.

The extra session OF Congress will be
convened In order to make the neces-
sary appropriations for the army. At
the last session the appropriation was
defeated by the obstinacy OF Blaine and
his followers. who refused to consent to
provision which, in the then condi-
ton Of affairs, the Democracy were
bound to insist on, to wit. that the
army should not be employed as 1t had
been, to overawe, suppress and inter
fere with the governments OF the States
and maintain and protect usurping gov
ernments therein.
This proviso was fully justified by the
circumstances. It has been indicated
by subsequent events. The President OF
the United States having recognized the
the Justice OF the demand OF the South
ern States, that the army should not be
employed as it had been by Grant, and
his action therein having been approved
by the people, including majority OF
his own party, the course Of the Demo-
Gratis of the House Of Representatives
| In adhering to their proviso has been
fully INDICATED.
Not to them can be ascribed any Of the
EN- barrassment and disgraces which
have been brought upon the country
from the failure Of the appropriations
| for the army. II the army has been
prevented from active and effective OPP
erations against the hostile Indians In
the North west, and the Mexican raiders
| In the Southwest, II the officers and
soldiers andpurveyors Of the army have
been kept out OF their money, or sub
| iected to large discounts on their pay,
the responsibility therefor must attach
to Blaine and his followers, who re-
fused to vote for condition OF the APP
priation which was right, just and wise.
When the new House assemblies and
the Appropriation bill comes UP before
| It, there may be no necessity az there
was at the last session to express In
the act such proviso and condition. We
have little idea that the Democracy
will refuse the necessary appropriation
to support the army we now have. II
may be that some reductions will be
proposed which will tend to increase
rather than impair the efficiency Of the
army. There is q very prevalent idea
that we have too many and too costly
generals with brilliant STATS, land tina,
the rate of compensation to the high
titled and ornamental commanders Ii
too high.
Indeed, considering the general re-
duction among the people OF the prices
Of all kinds OF labor and service, WI
think there is great need Of reducing
all salaries Of public officers to lowe
figures. But these are questions Of de
tails which ought to be determined by
military committee, charged with tn
) reorganization Of our whole militar.
: system.
Against any increase OF the army, W
trust the Democracy will be solidl.
united. The recent furry caused b.
the strikes at the North ought to i'm
! press the people of the States with tn
great necessity Of better organization
Of their militia and civic police force
, than have heretofore existed. It will b
a fatal error and perilous departure fron
the sentiment and policy Of our govern
ment and principles to increase the reg
ular or standing army Of the nationa
government. That army ought neve
to be used as police force, save to pre-
tect national property and suppress IN
surrection and resistance to the law
and authority Of the national govern
ment. When 1t Is employed as a polio
to enforce State laws, and peace an
order within the States, 1t will sink t
the level OF the Janissaries Of the Sulta
of Turkey or of the Pretorian Guar
,, which overthrow the republic of ancien
Rome and the liberties Of her people.
Yyr