Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1898-03-25
EFFORTS TO INCREASE THE
ARMY.

Under the pretense OF patriotism
an open movement is now on foot to
largely increase our standing army.
This has been part Of a general de-
sign which has been brewing for sew
eral years past, but which it has been
found impossible to bring &c a head
because Of the opposition to the peo-
pie. Now that there is little or no
chance OF an Indian outbreak, our
standing army OF twenty-five or thirty
thousand men is sufficiently large for
our needs and the only use that could
be had for a larger army is, no, to
turn it against foreign foes, but
against the people themselves, under
the pretext OF s%uppressing riots. The
tendency toward a larger standing
army has been apparent in our nation
al life for several ;ears past. During
that time federal intervention in pure
~ state affairs has become more not
ably frequent and the ~aggressions OF
the federal courts have been such as
to startle the people.
The expected trouble with Spain
furnished these conspiraturs with the
very eIcus they have desired. Amer
leans, regardless Of party. stand
shoulder to shoulder IN the PROPOSE
ton OF u%pholding the national honor
at any sacrifice. Regardless OF party.
too, they favor a iide navy, for with
out it commercial expansion is next
to impossible. In the next twenty
years this country should make ire
mendous strides in capturing The
worlds trade aud the American flag
should find its way into every i'm
portant port OIL the face Of the globe
There must be tangible power back
OF that flag to make it respected every
where and to protect the interests OF
American citizens who in the future.
more than ever in the past, will push
their adventurous way throughout
the civilized world. For these reasons
all Americans are i'll favor Of a better
and bigger navy and whatever the
cost they are ready to pay it.
But IA whatever We have to Tear Is
from external rather tLap internal
sources, the proposition to maintain a
large standing army in times OF peace
is always viewed with suspicion. Our
standing army is large enough for all
ordinary exigencies aud when supple
mented by the national guard is cap
able OF coping will! any danger which
may threaten US from the outside.
This being true. members Of the Sem
ate and House should watch with "A
suspicious eye any tendency to NOR
dinafely increase our regular army.
Ii troops are needed for any expected
trouble between this country aud
Spain they should DO forthcoming at
once and in such numbers as the gOv-
eminent may need, and they will he
so forthcoming. But the people Of
THIS country are lot prepared for the
coming o! 4the man on horseback"
The moment the need OF these troops
for the purpose OF foreign warfare or
home protection from a foreign foe
shall have departed, that moment
they should be disbandcd. This pur-
pose should be expressly stipulated.
With the transportation facilities at
our command the matter OF mobiliz-
ing troops is one which presents no
difficulties. Experienced men are
ready and waiting for any call OF
duty.
The country needs no large stand
ing army in time Of peace, and il our
Congressional representatives. do their
whole duty by their constituents the
country will not be inflicted with il.
Denver Post.