Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-02-23
The Necessity Tor Larger Regular Army.

The Necessity Tor Larger Regular Army.
There is probably not man in Con-
gress who is not aware of the absolute
necessity for increasing the regular
army, and of the almost universal SEN
timent throughout the country in favor
Of such action, and it is no
doubt difficult for most people
to understand the apparent de-
sire or unwillingness of members
of the opposition to embarrass the ad-
ministration in dealing with the fruits
of the war which they were so eager to
force prematurely upon the country,
and which in spite of many embarrass-
ments has been brought to so quick
and triumphant conclusion.
The people demand that the regular
army be increased and that no more
time be lost about it; that an oppor-
tunity shall be given the volunteers to
return to their homes. and that the
country shall not be left practically
without an army upon the ratification
Of peace by Spain. which may occur
within a fortnight. We repeat. that
whatever measure Congress may adopt
for increasing the army. action should
be prompt. Universal agreement can
not be expected upon any bill and it
would be unwise. as we'll as unjust, to
waste time uselessly in efforts to
evolve a perfect measure or one salts
factory 10 all parties. especially. as
long as Congress has the power to
modify any present provisions by later
legislation. So far as the size of the
army is concerned it is wiser, more
economical and more just to the coun-
try and the army. to err on the side of
ample strength. and provision is al
ready made in the modified Hull bill
for a reduction. when advisable. by the
simple expedient Of reducing. for
peace footing, the numerical strength
of the companies. AS to the twaddle
about the liberties of the people" be-
ing threatened by a standing army
even by an army ten times that pro-
posed-it is never sincere and is be-
meath discussion. Under this head the
New York Sun says:
"A little more than 80 years ago the
general Of the United States armies
nj nf mill .c
men. No king known to the world
had ever been at the head of such an
overpowering fighting force. There
had been nothing like it in the legends
of Xerxes or Kublai Khan. The glitter
from the bayonets in the great review.
when the army collected about Wash
ington marched for two days past the
White House. would have lit the city
of Washington. The Russian Car or
the German Emperor has never seen
the like.
A few months later that enormous
military organization. having accom-
lished it's purpose. was dissolved Il
didn't go to Richmond, said General
Grant to a friend meeting him about
that time in the office Of Commissary
General Eaton. because l thought /
had better save every day to devote to
the disarmament of the army The
army of 1865 disappeared as though the
victim of some colossal catastrophe
Even the higher grades of command
were kept up only long enough to do
honor to the most distinguished Of the
surviving generals.
1.-THE army sank almost at once to a
meagre force of $4,000 men, led by a
major general. The country which
had experienced the very greatest OF
all wars ended it with it's republican
sentiment undiminished in the faintest
degree.
Yet the cry of 'militarism is raised
in opposition to the enlargement Of our
army from $4,000 men to 100. 900, to meet
the unprecedented duties left to us by
victory in war with foreigner.
1t sounds as though one part of the |
army bills opponents must have been
born yesterday and the other must be |
as ignorant as Philippine savages OF |
the institutions and history of the
United States. The charge of mill
tarism is too absurd for serious con-
sideration.
If this Congress leaves the country
not adequately provided with an army, |
1t will be because the Democracy has
plunged into another attempt to find
an issue, regardless of the national cir
cumstances. and because among the
Republicans there is to be found
enough crankiness. or enough fractional
enmities have sprung up against the
administration. to give the Democrats
the victory
Senator Cockerelrs bill, which pro-
vides for the organization Of native
regiments in the West Indies and the
philippines. would seem, for the pres
ent, absolutely .impracticable. How
are we to organize regiments Of hostile
or disantected Philippines and Of what