Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1880-11-19
Cur Army,

Gen. Sherman's annual report 10 the sec
rotary of War is Just published. He gives
the possible force Of the army for military
service as %. $50, from which the deduction
for sick, detached service" etc, leaves
as the really available force 10000 enlisted
men al army, Gen. Sherman thinks, 100
small for the duties imposed on If. lie re-
commcnds an increase to $4,000. Many OF
the military posts in the West, he thinks,
should he abandoned, and suitable Strategic
points for permanent occupation and mn
rrovcmcnt selected whence attachments can
he sent ont for special service. In Ten.
ShcrmanS opinion our great commercial
ports should he made so safe that even an
apprehension of danger would not he felt
Portland, Boston. Newport, New York,
Philadelphia. Hampton Roads, Pert Royal,
Key West, Pensacola, New Orleans, San
Diego San Francisco and Port Townsend
should all he properly fortified and garrison
ed, and minor forts should be sold or aban-
doncd An animal appropriation of one
million dollars would in ten years put these
forts in good order, and another one million
dollars year would properly arm them.
In relation 10 West Point Gen Sherman
says:
The education and manly training impart-
ed to young men at West Point, has repaid
| the United States thousand times lis cost,
and has more than verified the predictions OF
Gen. Washington. From time to time, perl
odical complaints have arisen TO its preju-
diccs such as occurred last year in regard to
the colored cadet Whitaker. A thorough,
natient and close investigation. in the midst
of a tumult of abuse, resulted in the perfect
vindcation of the authorities of that acad,
envy Prejudice is alleged against colored
cadets Prejudice of race is the most dill
cult to contend against of any in this world.
There is no more such prejudice at West
| Point than in the country at large, and the
practice of equality at West Point Is in adj
vance of the rest of the country. Inc au'
thorites at the academy have no voice In Inc
| selection of candidates and must receive,
train and educate such as are sent there re-
CARELESS of nationality, color or previous con
dition. To discriminate in favor OF color
ed boy by reason OF his color is as much
violation of the Fourteenth Amendment tt
| the Constitution as 10 discriminate aSaius
him, perfect impartiality being the rule, anc
that, believe the authorities at West rom
have endeavored to follow.
As to the general condition of the army
Gen. Sherman says
The entire army is, in my opinion, as pa
triotic, as patient, as willing to encounter
danger end hard service as at any iorrnel
period of our history The rapid extension
ST railroads and mails has much improvedtht
general condition and contentment of officer.
and men and they simply suffer the usua
fate of peace in slow promotion and appre
hension of changes which never come. The
country is so large that regimental transfers
and changes are costly and the consequence
has been that many regiments have remained
longer in remote quarters than seemed falr
hut have endeavored 10 make reglmenta
changes as fast as possible consistent will
| animal apprODriatiOns,