The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-02-13

specially voted for service against the
Indians, were withdrawn from the frontier
and detailed on political duty in the South
crn States. After they had sustained the
Returning Boards, they were removed TO
Washington, for possible use in consummat-
ing the conspiracy which CHANDLER and his
associates had concocted to count in HAYES.
This scandalous abuse OF the army for
partisan Objects which tho whole country
has witnessed, ought, Of itself, to be n suil-
cient reason for reducing it to the lowest
point consistent with the policy for which
any standing army Is maintained. The
people have seen how it may be prostitutcd
by an INSCRIPTIONS President, not only in
the recent experience, but by the outrageous
manner in which the atroclous carpet-bag
system has been proppcd up under the pro-
lection Of GRANT and his advisers.
The army has grown into consuming
force, which eats up more than forty-two
millions of taxes every year. During the
eight years OF Grantism, the enormous sum
Of nearly three hundred and forty millions
Of dollars, or one-seventh part Of the whole
national debt, has been paid out Of the Treas
ury for this service in time Of peace. There
Is nothing TO show for this vast expenditure,
which, by an unnatural law, has increased
in proportion rs the pretended causes for its
existence have diminished.
The Indians have decreased In numbers,
and but for the plundering practices of Gov
eminent agents and Rings which have their
headquarters in the public departments,
would be pcaccablc and submissive to proper
authority. The frontier lines are narrowing
constantly by the advance OF civilization
and the extension Of railroads. In 1860, when
these advantages did not exist, the entire
cost OF the army was less than sixteen and
half millions; and now it is nearly three
times as much.
This heavy drain on the resources OF the
country, suffering as 1t is in every material
interest, cannot bc maintained except at
sacrifice which is not called for 10y any
good reason. Great generals with their
magnificent STATS, and their juniors who
expect to step into the rank and emolu-
mcnts ~ these Supporters. aud n body Of Off
GERS sufficient TO command and operate an
army of two hundred thousand men, with
their families and friends, constitute the
fraction of pubic opinion which seeks to
preserve a costly military establishment.
They form a preferred class, who propose
to live on the fat OF the land at the cost Of
the taxpayers; to enjoy rank. and to be
recognized exceptionally from the body Of
the people. Since European titles have boon
introduced into the army and navy within
the last fifteen years, and corresponding
pay added to the honors. there has been a
growing tendency to an official aristocracy.
This whole system, which Is the outcome
Of corruption at the capital. and Of COMPETE
tion among shoddy pretenders, ought 20 Toe
cut up by the roots The first step in the
direction of reform. is TO bring back the Gov
eminent to simplicity; to reduce the army
and the navy within the narrowest limits,
and to abolish the thousands Of sinecures
that are scattered over the country. 1t is
idle to talk Of retrenchment in its true sense,
until these fragrant abuses, which are seen
Of all eyes, are attacked and conquered.
Therefore, the proposed reduction of the
army is far short of what is demanded by
the people, who have to foot the bills.