New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-06-15
THE ARMY.

THE ARMY.
In the debate on the reduction of the Army
last month one Of the ablest and most
respected of the Democrats who are seeking
to cut down, harass, and hamper our little
military force, argued that there could not
be much use for soldiers under our Govern
ment, because the Indians were all subdued
and riots were matters with which the Federal
authorities had no concern. " 1t is pretty safe
to assume" said the gentleman to whom
we refer, "that we are to have no more great
Indian wars.n What constitutes great
Indian war is a question upon which opinions
may differ; but we have no doubt that
the settlers on the Tavaged frontiers,
and the hard-wOrked officers and
men of the scattered military posts
who are now entering upon the most
trying Of all imaginable campaigns, are
satisfied that there is already quite enough
of an Indian war to test our military strength
far beyond the point of prudence. Some
weeks ago we quoted the opinion of an ex-
perienced soldier that there was always dan
ger of an Indian war under our present
system Of mismanaging the tribes the only
question to be determined in any particular
Summer Is whether the savages have been
merely exasperated to the fighting point
during the previous season, or reduced by
starvation to such condition of physical
weakness that they cannot fight. This year
good many of them seem to be in robust
health.
We can hardly believe that in view Of what
is now happening at the West the Democrats
in the House of Representatives will insist very
strenuously upon the scheme Of reducing the
Army. But although they are willing that
troops shall be used to repress the Outrages of
red men, they are not willing to employ them
in putting a stop TO rapine and murder com
mitted by white rioters, and many of them
will doubtless be disposed TO persevere in
their scheme for preventing the employment
of troops to keep the peace. We trust that
the Senate will stand firm in defence of
public order. The events Of last Summer are
likely to be repeated at the first convenient
opportunity. If those dreadful scenes taught
law abiding people the necessity OF self pro-
lection, they impressed upon rioters, tramps,
communists, and incendiaries two lessons which
they will not soon forget; first, that, outside
of New-York City and one or two other large
towns, the local authorities are unable to cope
with any sudden and extensive outbreaks and
secondly, that there is a considerable minority
of Democratic politicians who will protect
them in any sort of wrong and violence, in the
belief that by so doing they fatter the "work-
"ingmen." Such lessons can lead TO but one
result.
Railroad managers are reported as saying
that they do not look for an outbreak this
season. Officers of the Unions deny that any
strike is in contemplation. Well. ut the
middle Of June last year nobody foresaw
what was about to take place i'll July. The
very men who set fire to cities and railway
trains probably had no idea a week before
hand of what they were going to do. Strikes
may be planned in advance, but riots are UNI
premeditated outburs.s OF passion. 1t is
enough for prudent men TO know that the de-
structive cOmmunistic spirit is aroused. 1t
agItates society not only here but all over the
world. 1t shakes Germany and Russia 1t was
plundering and burning in England the other
day; IL has been rampant IN Quebec this
week 1t inspires threatening letters TO Con-
gress, and violent meetings in all our cities
nay, there are shameful exhibitions of it even
within the halls of Congress. How can any
one know, what right has any one to say. that
there is no dangerf
There is only one way 10 suppress n riot,
and that is by a prompt exhibition of a mill
tary force. Here, in the metropolis, strong
and well-drilled police IS able TO keep almost
any disorderly movement in check until the
National Guard can assemble; but elsewhere
the community has no such protection. Under
the most favorable circumstances and even in
the great centres Of population, militia force,
however well organized, requires several hours
to come together; and in much less time than
that mob has begun to wreak its fury, and
often has become too strong for militia TO
manage. If there is anywhere within reach
at such times a disciplined armed force to
sustain the public authorities they must be
allowed to use it. The trainers Of our Consti-
tuition gave ample sanction for the employ
ment of regular troops in such cases. There
is no constitution in the world. and there
never has been one, absurd enough to deny to
the government regulated by it the funda-
mental right of enforcing the observance of
its own laws.
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BE6CONSFIELDS POLICY.