Year: 1877


From the Baltic Sun.


1t has been absurdly claimed by
some of the advocates of large stand
ing army that the events which are
now occurring demonstrate the truth
of the observations of Gen. Sherman a
few weeks ago that without Il strong
army the American people would be-
come mob. Gould anything be more
superficial than such suggestion?
Has the American people become a
mob? Who compose the mobs which
have resisted the operati ons of the
law? Is IL the American people? Is IL
the honest mechanics and laborers of
this country, OF only a small portion
in compassion to the whole who con-
stitute the turbulent element in all
communites?-The American people
become mob indeedl The great mass
of them are intelligent independ ent
in spirit and opposed to despotism Of
all kinds, whether of the mob or the
king. In this season of universal dis
tress the proposition 10 have large
Standing army for the alleged purpose
of protecting the States from local dis
order is simply an old partisan section
al suggestion would employ the dis
tresses of the people to promote object
for it's own advantage but entirely at
war with the genius and spirit Of free
government. A season OF panic is no
time in which to urge the increase of
the federal army. Each State of the
Union ought to be able to protect it
self with local militia rather than by
reliance upon a great central power
been neglected there is such admoni
tion In the present circumstance as
should prevent the like condition
| hereafter. - p .s--. s-t


There is moredauger in the sugges
tion that the federal poweris the only
safeguard for life and liberty in this
country than there is in all the perils to
| life aud property now Threatened, by
those enemies of society 10 be found
in all governments-who are availlng
them selves of railroad strikes to come
to the trout aud commit robbery and
murder under the guise of defending
the right of laborers. For yourselves,
/ we scarcely think that there needs any
discrimi nation between the industri-
ous wOrkingmen of the country and
the would-be communists and actual
thieves who have taken the question
out of hands of the strikers and have
elbowed themselves TO the front max
ing war upon the vital interests of
society and upon those who are most
concerned in th cir preservation the
industrial classes. Ii Gen. Sherman
had said we need the American army
to protect the country from mobs, we
fear that his words might have been
borne out by late experiences. But to
say that without an army a strong
standing army the American people
become mob is quite a different
kind of statement. II Is likely enough
that in view of late developments 1t
may be we'll to keep the army to 25,-
0U0 or 10000 but our main reliance for
domestic order musl,be upon State and
local agencies, and upon bringing the
volunteer troops to high state of dis
ciphne for it is already shown that it
is practicable for State to have a vol
unteer force which in addition to ma
tive courage can be trained to the
GOODNESS and self-restraint of regulars
and refrain from furnishing mobs
till it is absolutely necessary, Mean
time when it became nece ssary for the
Governors of States to call on the
President to aid In putting down in
surrection it 10 gratifying to witness
| the promptness and tff. .ciencV of the
response in recognition of constitution
al duty and the autonomy of the
States.