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WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1858
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a message I would not have sent, and I do not think it is calcu- lated to conciliate Brigham Young. He is too proud a man, I take it; a man of too much sense to have sent such a message as that, after an act of civility was tendered. What is to be the consequence of that act? We must have sup- plies. I presume the troops have cattle; and they must slaughter them in order to have fresh supplies. They will be very fresh supplies, indeed, if they have no salt to use with them. Placing men upon diet of that kind is calculated to produce the most fatal of all epidemics in the world-the cholera. Exposed in tents in that inclement region at this season, I should not be astonished if two thirds or three fourths of his forces were swept off by cholera. Humanity ought to have induced him to accept the salt and make a fair recompense for it, if he did not receive it as a courtesy; but an opposite course was taken. If there be any disastrous consequences resulting, his message was calculated to bring them about. Mr. President, I shall not longer occupy the precious time of the Senate. My idea is, that volunteers are the cheapest and most reliable troops, because they have more physical energy and activity; and, as a mass, more intelligence than regulars. Though their officers may not be as educated, yet the mass of the rank and file are of that character that they embody the average intelli- gence generally of the citizens of the United States. They are, therefore, more efficient. They will arrive at the scene of action before the regular troops, that are contemplated in this bill, would be half raised. They would be raised cheaper, for you would take them at the instant; whe1:eas, years will roll round and incidental expenses will accumulate before you obtain the regulars you contemplate raising. If the Mormons are to be conquered, volun- teers can conquer them immediately; the regulars, never. Volunteers being the cheapest force, and my principles being opposed to an increase of the regular Army, I shall vote for the proposition of the Senator from Tennessee, which authorizes the President, according to the contemplation of the Constitution, to call out the militia in the character of volunteers for this service. They are tendering their services. Let him accept them; let him march them to the scene of action; and then you will meet the contingency contemplated in the Constitution of the country by using the militia to suppress insurrection and 1·ebellion; but if you call out regulars, you get outside of the Constitution. I think it was not contemplated by the spirit of the Constitution. I am perfectly satisfied that volunteers who are taken from the militia
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