Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1878-06-27
REDUCTION OF TEE ARMY.
Eloquent speech of Hon. Martin Ma
Einnie.


Einnie.
The House being in Committee of the
Whole and having under consideration The
bIl TX. III. No. 4s67) making appropri:.-
tons for the support of the army for the
fiscal ye;!r ending June 50, 1879. and fol-
other purposes
Mr.. Maginnis said:
Mr.. Chairnian-I shall not differ with
my most advanced friends on this side in
regard to the uses of the army, The
States must do their own police work and
keep their own peace. The army is for
the defence OF the country against inya-
sion, actual or possible. and for the defense
CT the citizens against savawes Ivapno
war upon the settlers. or upon each other.
III 'eiaiice Of the authority of the Govern
mcnt within thn territory in the Union.
For this purpose the Government was es-
tablishcd. When it fails 10 accomplish the
protection of the citizen, in abuicateS its
principal function. The force requisite 10
guarantee peace and safety is the subject
under discussion. The Democratic party
in this House is responsible for its proper
decision. The leaders accustomed to meth.
ods OF opposition sometimes forget that
power has brought responsibility. and do
not feel that their first aim is to protect the
lives, liberties, and property of the people.
Economy is 4 desirable thing. gentlemen,
but yO,ir dollars are not to be WEIGHED
against the blood of your ftllow-citizens ::
and tie party that has the power must
take the responsibility of preventing disas-
ter. And let me tell you that any party
that sacrifices the citizen, that tails to pro-
vide fer his protection, that habitlalIy
antagonizes the patriotic sentiments of the
people. and habitllally humliates the na-
tional pride, must 60 to the wall, though
it could carry on the Government without
expense. and could fill the treasury with
out taxation.
The gentleman Mr.. Hewitt who report
ed and so ably champions this bill, and
who has given to its consideration a world
OF cara, claims that by the tests of past
experience and present use the army is too
large, whether judged by the Increase of
population or by the increase of military
posts. These are theoretical data. the ac-
curacy OF which is modified by other ele-
ments omitted from his calculations. The
increase of population has driven the wild
tribes into smaller compass and pressed
them on many more irritating points. The
obstruction OF game, especially buffalo, has
lett them destitute. and the uncertainty of
their future drives them to desperation.
The number of settlements in immediate
contact is far greater, and the possibilities
of collision are infinitely multiplied.
If the gentleman would further analyze
his figures in regard to military posts. |
venture to say th@t lie would see that the
number of frontier posts has more than
although on account Of the fact
that eastern posts have remained as before
the total number of posts seems to Justify
his deductions.
But change has also taken place in mil
tary policy. The greater concentration of
The Indians and their increased effective
force as fighters have done away with the
usefulness of small garrisons. They Are
no longer so efficient, and both economy
md efficiency require the establishment of
arger posts. The true tests of the pres
mt use of the army on the frontier is the
humber of Indians in its immediate front
md their fighting force as compared with
he troops. Upon this subject think
an give the House some information.
In the district OF Montana we have the
'latileads. kootenays and Pen d'Oriellcs.
md the passing Indians from Idaho on tie
vest; tie BannbeEs and Shoshones on the
outli; and on the north the Blackfcet,
Floods, Piegans, Gros Ventres. and ASSN
boiiicS. and over the border the refugee
sioux and Nez Perces. Two of these tribes /
re friendly. allies even; the rest are semi I
hostile: AI these tribes have representa-
ives at agencies, and all of that class de
cribcd by the gentleman from Illinois as
'en% fed. clothed and Christia,,ized by the .
indian Bureau. But Of all this number
here are not twenty that gain their liyeli-
ood by agriculture: They habitually !
oam Off theirrescrvations. They must do
o or starve; and, armed anl mounted |
hey aIfl'al,y pass through the settlements .
the buffalo grounds on the northeastern
ronter.
And right here let me call the attention
the gentleman from Illinois slr. Spafksl .
tiie error lie las made in defining the
ah@ero,.s elements among the Indians. !
lie rtckons these treaty Indians as abso-
ntely peaceful, as tribes from whom no |
anger need be apprehended. But, sir,
very Indian war In our history with one
Xcepton, has been wa%ed with this class of I
indians. That one exception was the war
'i,h the hostile Sioux. And even then
he great mass Of the Indians in Clusters
ght were from the agencies. Reported .
y the Department as peacefully on the
oltr soldiers were thus misled
S to the strength of the hostile camp, and
hus deceived to their DEATH
The settler Of to-day, Mr.. Chairman. Is
OF the frontiersman of the Leatheist
lg stamp. The peaceful farmer who has
ken his family from the wtstern prairies,
ON the overcrowded cities, or perhaps
'om Scandinavia or Germany, lied to this
onntry by the promise Of home and
rejection from our Government, has
ever III all his life handled gun or had
ny use for one. Through these peaceful
'ttlements these armed and mounthd
unters ride with the freedom and impu-
nnce of the black baiids aid free lancers
'aming throagh Europe in feudal ages
Here the hammer telll
MIR. kidder obtained the floor and yield !.
his time to Mr.. Maginnis.
MIR. Maginnis- Thanks for the courtesy.
hese Indians, exclusive of the Sioux over
'e border. can put into the field five thou
md warriors well mounted, and l DEFY /!
on that statement. | might
'peal TO the commander of the district of