WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1858
487
You must, my dear, give him a good hug for me and love to all the rest. Thy Devoted Houston [Rubric]. Margaret 1 From the Collection of Mrs. Margaret John, Houston, Texas. AGAINST INCREASE OF THE REGULAR ARMY, FEBRUARY 10, 1858 1 Mr. President, it was not my intention to make any further remarks on this bill in addition to those which I hastily offered a few days since; but the allusions that have been made to me in the course of the debate seem to require some vindication of the positions I then assumed; and it may be possible for me to illus- trate them by examples which may be instructive in their character. That there may be no misapprehension of my estimate of the regular Army, I will say with cheerfulness that I am not opposed to the Army, and I am not disposed to reduce it much. Perhaps I might vote to repeal the law creating the four regiments which were added a few years since; but beyond that, I should not be in favor of reducing the Army. I wish to have a force for main- taining our sea-board defenses, and for the purpose of preserv- ing the arms of the Government and maintaining such fortresses as are permanent and necessary in their character. I would have no further permanent force than is necessary for these purposes. I do not wish· to be regarded as an enemy to the Army, though since the remarks which I made the other day, I am the more convinced if that were possible, of the truth of the apprehension I then expressed of the potency of the Army, for I find that my remarks have exasperated greatly the officers of the Army, who, I presume, anticipated promotion; but of that I have no certainty; and they not only regard me as hostile to it, but have displayed hostility to myself and other Senators who have dared to express similar opinions to mine on the subject. I am sent here, sir, to vindicate the nation, not a privileged class; and I am ready to combat the young monster as I would the old one of despotism. Never again, while I live, will I vote in time of peace to increase the regular Army one man. This is a fundamental principle with me. It is not that I apprehend danger from their bayonets or their swords; but it is rather the impertinence that arises from idleness and want of employment in individuals whose time ought to be given to the line of their duty in the service.
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