WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1858
contribute by their industry to the general mass of the national wealth; while a regular army is a continued incubus on the nation, utterly unproductive, a drain on the country's resources, who never add aught to its 1·evenues. I am not prepared, therefore, to support this bill; and I have come to this conclusion, with all deference to the recommendation of the President, and the Secre- tary of War. I oppose the bill without any enmity to its orgin. Neither of those gentlemen has given his attention to the national defense as a matter of peculiar consideration and investigation. They are dependent on military men for the suggestions which are made as to the necessity of an increase of the regular Army; and how are they prompted? Promotion is a desirable thing in the Army. It is only denied to worthy non-commissioned officers and privates; but promotion is a great thing for all commissioned officers, and the more you increase the Army the more rapid pro- motions are. Though you may say this bill does not open the door to high promotions, as it only adds two companies to each regiment, yet you will find that it opens the door to a batch of cadets that are to come in, and in a very short time it will be found that the companies are not as efficient as they would be if they had smaller numbers, and then they will be reduced; and thus regiments will be multiplied, brigades increased, and then will come a request for brigade generals. I recollect that when the four new regiments were raised some years ago, it was sup- posed that an honorable member of this body would be appointed as a brigadier general in the Army. I have no doubt that idea inclined many minds kindly to the measure. It was understood that various individuals were applicants for colonelcies, and they operated on their friends in Congress. The measure received countenance and support from considerations of that kind. Finally it was passed; but none of the gentlemen that I knew of, who were expectants for high office, received the appointments, from some circumstance of misunderstanding, I presume, in their own expectations. I am not disposed to incumber the country with additional expense at this time. If volunteers cannot defend us, cannot reach Salt Lake, if necessary, in half the time that regulars can be raised and do it, it is of no use to attempt the war. If they can be assembled and reach there in one half or one fourth the time regulars could reach there, they are the most efficient force, because efficiency often is increased by expedition. If the Mor- mons are preparing, the less prepared they are when our troops meet them, the more easy it will be to reduce them to order.
'i
Powered by FlippingBook