The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1877-12-04

had amounting TO $75, ACE, $50. which
were paid for within ninety days after the
date of subscription. BY this process,
within but little more than one year, the
amount of interest on the public debt
was reduced in the sum of S3,7T5, 900.
| recommend that suitable provision
be made to enable the people to easily
convert their savings into government
securities as the best mode in which
small savings may be well secured and
weld a moderate interest. 1t is an OBJ
lect of public policy TO retain among
our own people the. securities of the
United States In this way orr country
is guarded against their sudden return
irom foreign countries. caused by war
and other disturbances beyond oni'
limits h
+ THE COMMERCE OF THE UNITED STATES
with foreign nations. and especially the
export of domestic products, has of late
years largely increased but the greater
portion of this trade is conducted in
foreign vessels. The importance of en-
larging our foreign trade, and especially
by direct and speedy interchange with
countries on this continent, cannot be
overestimated, and it is matter Of
great moment that our own shipping
interest should receive, to the utmost
practical extent, the benefit of our COM
merce with other lands. These ,eonsid
eraticns 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. 1t is not doubt
ed that Congress will take them mp in
the broadest spirit of liberality and
respond to the public demand by prac
tieable legislation upon this subject.
The report of the
SECRETARY OF WAR
shows that the army has been actively
employed during the year and has rem
dered very important service in repress-
ing hostilities in the Indian country and
preserving peace and protecting life and
property in the interior as well as along
GUS campaign has been prosecuted with
final complete success against a portion
of the Nez Perces tribe of Indians. A
full account of this campaign viii he
found in the report of the General Of
the army. 1t viii be seen that in its
course several battles were fought, in
which a number of gallant officers and
men lost their lives. 1 join with the
Secretary of War and the General OF
the Army in awarding to the officer,
and men employed in the long and toll
some pursuit and in the final capture o.
these Indians the honor and praise
which is so Justly their due.
The very serious riots which occurred
in several of the States in July last, rem
/ dered necessary the employment OF a
considerable portion of the army, to
preserve the peace and maintain order
in the States of West Virginia, Mary,
land, PENNSYLVANIA and Illinois. These
disturbances were so formidable as to
defy the local and State authorities
and the national executive was called
upon, IN the mode provided by the Con.
stitution and laws. to furnish military
and / am gratified to be able to state
that the troops sent in response to these
calls for aid in the suppression of domes
tic violence, were able by the influence
of their presence in the disturbed re
gions, to preserve the peace and restore
oINACA NAtAAotIb Li4C use Va lOIGL III lIIt
discharge of this delicate and importan
: duty, both officers and men acted Will
great prudence and courage, and fol
their services deserve the thanks OF The
: country.
Disturbances along the Rio Grande
IN Texas, to which / have already re
/ ferred, have rendered necessary the con
/, slant employment of a military force il
that vicinity. A full report of all recen
military operations in that quarter ha,
been transmitted to the Houee of Rep
resentatiyes, in answer to a resolution
of that body, and it will not, therefore
be necessary to enter into details. ! re
greet to say that these
! LAwLEss EXCURSIONS
) into our territory by armed bands from
the Mexican side of the line, for tn,
a purpose of robbery, have been of fire
quent occurrence, and in spite of th,
most vigorous efforts of the commando
> of our forces, the maraudcrs have gen
: orally succeeded in escaping into Mex
a leo with their plumber. In my last
/ give orders for the exercise Of the ut
: most vigilance on the part of our troop
a for the suppression of these raids, an,
: the punishment of the guilty parties
: as well as the recapture of propert
stolen by them. Gen. Ord, command
ing IN Texas, was directed to invite til
cooperation of the Mexican authorize
:, in efforts to this end, and assure then
g that i was anxious to avoid giving tn
s least offense to Mexico. At the sam
: time he was directed to give notice q
Il my determination to put an end to tia
= invasion of our territory, by bands in
), tent upon the plumber of our peacefu
citizens, even if the etfectnal punish
: ment of the outlaws should make tn
T crossing of the border by our troops il
r their pursuit necessary. 1t is believe
{, that this policy las had the effect t
/ check somewhat these depredations, an
:, that with considerable increase of OF,
g force upon that frontier, and the estaf
# hshment OF several additional militar
! posts along the Rio Grande, SO as {
d more efectually guard that extensiv
6 border. peace may be preserved and til
!. lives and property of citizens in Texa
6 fully protected.
IS Prior to the LIST day Of July last .th
s, army was, In accordance with law. r.
e duced to the maximum of Is, 900 enliste
5. men, being reduction of $4,000 belo
e the force previously authorized. Tn
3 reduction was made as required by Law
/ entirely from the infantry aud artiller
II branches of the service without anv +,
IS ductlon of the cavalry. Under the La
s, as it now stands it is necessary that til
is cavalry regiments be recruited to on
n hundred men in each comnanv for SCI