The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-09-29
Regulars and Volunteers.

Regulars and Volunteers.
1t may not be embarrassing 10 the people
Of the United States, in view Of the condi-
ton Of the country, to examine the claims
which are SO freely made by advocates OF a
standing army in favor OF its continuance
At the present time these claims rest on n
different basis from that relied on in 1916.
In those days the army was discussed, in
Congress and out solely as the servant Of
the people; 1t was very small in It's numbers.
having only seven regiments OF infantry,
two OF cavalry, and a force Of artillery
strictly within the limits of usefulness 1t
was, lastly. to great extent, native
army. This force, under TAYLOR reinforced
by some regiments OF Western volunteers,
won the battles OF Palo Alto, Resaca de la
Palma, and Buena Vista, captured Monterey
and would have marched into the City OF
Mexico had not politics interfered in favor
OF SCOTT, by stripping TAYLOR of his forces.
The only trial in American history where
our regular army really behaved well was
during this Mexican war. assisted by newly
raised regiments OF volunteers, under TAY-
LoB In the north, SCoTT in the south. 1t
was, unfortunately also the time when it
began to learn the lessons which have since
resulted in pride, love of despotism. and a
lack OF real patriotism-faults which have
brought disaster on our country.
The close OF the Mexican war found the
regulars doing what they have done ever
Since 49, deprecating the volunteers, their
comrades and claiming all the prizes
Of the struggle The sense OF justice OF
the American people. however, recog-
nized the hollow nature Of this claim
They made TAYLOR President. more in
memory of his i'll treatment than be-
cause he.was regular, and they defeated
SCoTT in favor OF u volunteer General OF no
reputation whatever when that most scien-
title OF martincts solicited their votes
Meantime, however, silently and unnotced,
the army had been increasing in dimen-
sions, and the first intimation it gave OF It's
changed spirit was in the Cromwellian dis
persal by Old Bull SUMNER in 1856, OF
the Legislature OF Kansas on the anniver-
sary Of the Declaration OF Independence
Since then II has gradually increased in cost
and numbers, till to-day our voters are
mulcted in the sum Of about five dollars
apiece per annum TO support regular army
OF $4,000 men, which has been used in foist-
ing fraudulent usurper into the White
House in defiance OF the very voters who
pay the officers and men their wages.
During the same time we have had I'M
der arms at different times large force
OF volunteers. Some OF these were raised
for special service, the suppression Of an
outbreak Of civil war; and others are con-
stantly on duty. Tho first We're called vol
IA sl., oil
militia and national guards. The first,
during their term of service, We're paid and
disciplined like the regulars; the second, in
most Of the States, serve at a considerable
sacrifice of time and money, and in none is
there any pretence that they are adequately
paid. Nevertheless they do not complain
never have, and it is not likely that they
ever will ; the motive Of their service Is that
OF duty, enthusiasm, or patriotism. and
they have always spurned the notion Of
being mercenarles.
When we come to examine the record OF
these classes and find what each has done,
the balance, since the Mexican war. is rather
one-sided. The regulars, by single battery
(BRAGGs), turned the scale at Buena Vista,
when the whole American army, regular
and volunteer, was beaten and In retreat ;
they turned another battle by the charge Of
a single squadron Of Dragons MAYsj into
. victory, and they were first over the wall
at Chepultepec On the other hand the vol
unteers stood their ground well in every
battle, and 1t was volunteer. MAYNE REID,
afterward the well-known novelist, who led
the forlorn hope at Chepultepec, falling in
the advance, shot through the thigh. and
thus opened the way TO the regulars. The
account in Mexico closes even.
After this the regulars managed TO sacri-
flee the United States Government to the
flames OF civil war. while the volunteers
saved II from total destruction and restored
1t. The very BRAGG who followed TAYLOR
ut Buena Vista under the Union flag made
war on that flag thirteen years later, while
one of the regular officers who distinguished
himself in the Mexican war managed still
later, to signalize his term in the Prcsi-
dency as an era of uneXampled corruption,
popularity known as Grantism, after his
name.
On the other hand, the volunteers, having
done their work and helped their regular
brethren out OF the scrape into which their
own cowardice and treason had brought
them, laid down their arms and returned
homo, to add to the wealth Of tho country
II hopelessly crippled, they have been known
to turn organ grinders, living on tho charity
Of passers by, but they havo never been a
burden on the taxpayers of the country
The discharged regular, on the other hand
reGnlists, in nine cases out OF ten, and, If All
officer, and crippled in the slightest way, is
shelved on a retired list, where he gets
seventy-nve per cent. OF his former pay for
NO service.
During ali this time the regulars have