WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1858
504
contemplates the objects of his attachment, and departs for the scene of action. When the danger is over, he returns again to his family. When his country again calls, he knows her tocsin, and he rallies to her banners. This should be the standing army of America-freemen, and none but freemen. Are they not more efficient than regulars? Certainly, if they had the same drilling and exercise, they would be. Why? Because they are not taken up here and there, as circumstances and pinching necessity may drive a man from want to enlist in the service. They are men who have substance to return to at home, and who only lend their arms for a while to their country, desiring to return again to their families. These are the efficient men, depend upon it. When the stronghold of liberty dissolves, there will be no volunteers in America. Now, sir, how long will it take you to organize an army for the conquest of Utah, if you are to undertake it? If this increase of the Army is not intended for Kansas or for Utah, I do not see on what ground it can be urged at all. It is said it is not for Kansas. Then it must be for Utah. The Senator from Mississippi and myself have different notions about the result of that cam- paign and the condition of it at this particular time. Lest an improper inference might be drawn if I were to do so, I shall not give an opinion as to the situation of the troops there now, what it has been for a month past, and what it will be for a month to come. I have done it privately, but here I will not do it. .The Senator thinks the military head of that expedition is compe- tent to everything. I will not gainsay that. He vouches for him, .and I know he is candid in his voucher. If you pass this bill, you must send officers over the country to recruit; and what kind of men will they get? Efficient, active men, accustomed to the use of arms-men who will be readily drilled and rendered effective in service? No; but men whose necessities drive them to the Army, who are thrown out of em- ployment in the cities; and who, to avoid "loafing,'' or that becom- ing a bad business, seek refuge in the Army. A large proportion of the troops you may raise will answer to this description. You cannot, in a twelvemonth, fill the ranks with the number proposed to be raised. Considering the transportation of supplies, I think I may safely say that you will not, in less than a year and a half, get to Utah, drilled and prepared for service, the regular troops whom you propose to raise by this bill. If, however, you take volunteers, how long will it require for them to be recruited and go to the scene of action? In fifteen days
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