The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-11-15
The Army Bill.

cate that nearly all the Democratic repre-
sentatives except few unregenerate heath
ems from Texas, are members of the Young
Mems Christian Association, and therefore
in favor of turning spears into pruning
hooks, and making missionaries olt OF the
epauletted sons of Mars. There is an ideal
millennium to which Mr.. Tucker and Mr..
Cabell OF Virginia have been aspiring for
sometime, in the hope of bathing their emo
lions in that beatific scene where the lamb
and the lion bunk together and the delicate
touch of a little golden haired girl points out
the path of their meanderings. Doubtless
the pacitication policy of the President has
had much to do in developing this beautiful
sentiment, and encouraging the chi!d-lke
simplicity of these disciples OF Reformed
banks of the noble Jeemes, and gaze upon
the departing splendors Of the orb of day as
he sinks beneath the western horizon. re-
flect:ng his golden beauty over hill and dale
about the "Athens" of America, the effect
must be sublime and reach beyond the con-
flicts and passions of sinful man, upward to
the pearly gates where all is peace. And
the wonder is that Mr.. Tucker has not, in
his moods of ethereal mildness, beseeched
that the drills and cvolltions superintendent
by Gen. Smith be turned into prayer-meet-
ings. that the youth of the State might learn
war no more, and the Treasury of the i'm
poverisled Old Commonwealth saved drain
of fifteen thousand dollars year. Surely
where everything is so lovely as in Virginia,
there is no need for Military Institutes
where the cruel art of war is taught, and the
minds of young men are educated to dream
of fame on the fields of carnage and death.
We are afraid, however, that Mr.. Tucker
is growing too sentimental, and losing sight
Of the fact that the heart of man is desper-
ately wicked, especially if that essential
piece Of anatomy happens to beat beneath
red skin. II the distinguished Virginian
would only accompany our friend Mills to
where the Rio Grande trolls and hears no
sound but its own rushing," except the &C.
casional war whoop Of an Apache, and feast
his meek eyes and gentle spirit upon tie
beauties OF an uplfted wa: club or cleaning
scalplng-knife, descending upon the head
where the hair is short, We think it quite
likely he would conclude that the arts
of peace and the teachings of Sunday
Schools were not exactly the things most in
demand in that particular locality.
But to be serious about this army bill. 1t
is simply tritiing with human life to think
of reducing the army, or restricting it to in
effectual limits. Any one who has ever
correct idea of its extent, its dangers and its
wants, must conclude that the present mill
tary force is entirely inadequate to its de-
tense, and the protection Of the bold spirits
who are blazing the way of civilization and
American destiny. Thousands of valuable
lives are to-day at the mercy Of the savages,
and it is to savage federation that thousands
more have not met with bloody deaths in
their ventures to develop and utilize the do
main of the country. Instead of restricting
the army to 10000 it would be economy to
enlarge it to $4,000 until the frontiers are
inhabited, society formed, and government
instituted. 1t is the meagre force the GOV
eminent stations in the Indian ranges that
invites attack, and apart from the valuable
lives sacrificed, it would cost less money to
have the force large enough to inspire fear,
and consequently peace, than to have aboEt
enough to beget contempt, and invite as
sault.
The representatives WHO peacefully re-
pose at their homes sin the States,' as IL e
frontiersman calls it, know little or nothing
of the dangers and hardships of the brave
men who leave comfort behind ard 60 forth
to settle the wilds of America-to push out
the lines of civilization, and open the way
for society and religion. It is not only Il
duty of citizenship, but it is a high COM
mand OF christianity. to give ample protec
ton to the frontiers. awe into obedience
the savages, and make clear and
safe the way for the advancing column of
Anglo Saxon civilization. 1t is no place or
! time for idle sentiment Or hair-splitting
theories about government, when the pracli-
cal demands of civilization and citizenship
call for protection. There is no statesman
ship that is divorced from practical benefits.
The highest type of craftsmanship is to dis
Germ the wants of the country and then
meet them. One hundred settlers killed on
the frontier of Montana last year by inva-
ding Indians was the speech of Mr.. McGin-
mis-, and it vas volume Of argument against
the nice theories and speculative sentiment
tality of Messrs. Tucker and Cabell. Life
to the bold pioneer is as dear to him as it is
to the soft-palmed Congressman, and it is a
wrong conception OF duty to allow partizan
devices to cripple the army and thus imperil
human life. !enl
Since writing the above, we are pleased
to notice that the member from this district,
Hon. Jno. T. Harris, and Hon. John Goode,
of the Norfolk district, voted against the
bill. They are not disposed to embarrass
the military arm of the government, to
crafty partizan prejudice, and antagonize
tile war department in what is officially de-
clared necessity for the protection Of the
frontier. because the army is not neces-
sary in Virginia, or the Southern States.
They recognize in such votes the response.
bility Of the administration and imply their
confidence in the intentions Of the Presi-
dent. 1t is this kind of recognition that be-
gets mutual confidence and good feeling,
and is in consonance with the maenanimous
spirit manifested by the President to them
and their section. Messrs. Harris and
Goode have reflected the better sentiment
OF the State in their record on this question,
and have distinctly drawn the lines between
those who accept the friendly overtures of
the administration in earnest, and those
who only regard them as concession to be
used for partizan advantage. And upon the
lines thus indicated will popular sentiment
concentrate and crystalize in Virginia and
the South-one side rejecting the really
conservative, national feeling and scnti-
ment, and the other the views of the hair
splitting obstructionists, who build upon abb
stractions and localities, such as our ''rights
in the territories and the privilege of taking
our negroes there" in 1860.