, 1878-12-21
REDUCTI 0s THE ARMY.

In the tele grams published IN yesser-
DAVIS STATESMAN was dispatch of more
than ordinary interest to our people. 1t
contained the intelligence that bill had
been perfected and presented to Congress
which, If 1t become law, Will materially
reduce our already small army. The peo-
ple of this locality are Immediately af-
fected by the proposed legislation, aud
the alarm should be sounded before it Is
too late; and, if possible, through such in-
ffuences rs we have at hand, efforts
should be made to prevent the successful
passage of this measure-a measure that
strik es at the very existence Of tins par
ticular section. Without adequate pro-
lection from the strong arm of the mill
iary it will be found hazardous for any
further attempt TO be made to open up
and develop large and wonderfully fer
tile section lying bur few miles to the
north of US A reduction of the army at
this particular juncture means the aban-
donment of several important posts and
diminished force at others eqAlly neees-
sary. 1t means also that whole commu
mites are to be turned over To the tender
mercies of the blood thirsty savage, who,
for the past few years, has been valua-
bic assistant to the demagogues in their
efforts to reduce the army The people
of Walla Walla are heavy debtors to the
United States army, and gratitude
no less than interest should induce them
tn offer their protest against the proposed
clange. Our delegate should beinstructed
to represent upon the tioor Of the House
the evils that must result, and great dis
aSters that must tnecessarlaly follow if this
measure becomes = law. All legitimate
means should be used to throttle the
scheme The country at large does not
demand the reduction. X originates
with IA few de,nagogues who expect by
this means to acquire a cheap reputation
for economy. The history of the army is
one of which our country can point to
with pride Of The vast SUMS that have
passed through the hands of the gentle
men composing its officers, the Govern
ment has never been called upon TO sus-
tam any serious loss, the p.eceata@e OF
losses, either by defaication OF otherwise.
heing so triflng that it is hardly worth
mentioning. Gan as much be said of any
other branch of the public service We
think not. IN the name Of justice Why
then continually attempt to cripple the
only honestly conducted department of
our Government! Is it because the army
is not composed of politicians, and for
that reason not to be feared! There are
some services that with great benefit ta
the tax payer could be reduced For IN
stance the number of Congressmen is al
together TOO laree 4 half dozen men
could accomplish us much evil as is now
generally done by the three hundred.
This reduction, too, would injmre no one.
On the other hand it wouid be hailed
with rejoicing by a suffering people, who,
for seven mnnths in the year, are driven
10 desperation by the long drawn ont
speeches of these who clain 10 represent
them. i man Of small intellectual cali
bre, with Just sufficient lev cunning to
pack primary canuus, aspires to q seat
Iii Congress. With the aid of such ques-
tionable means as are generally effective
IN American politics be secures ncmina-
ton, is elected, and 10 ! The ward bum
mer of week before IS transformed into
q representative Of the people And he
is but the representative of the class who
are shrieking, Down with the army