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WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1858
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are not the men who can equip themselves and go into this service; they are not the men who will be received; but they are the very men who would compose a regular army. I am in favor of two regiments of volunteers. I have no doubt they will give to the projected war all the efficiency that can be given by an equal number of men, whether veterans, regulars, or any new levies that you can make of any description of troops. [Later in the debate.] I have a very few words to say on this subject, and I shall endeavor to confine myself to the suggestions contained in the amendment of the Senator from Ohio. Great as is my respect for the intelligence and experience of that gentleman, I cannot concur with him in opinion in this matter. If two regiments are to be raised, besides the regiment of Texas rangers, you cannot appor- tion a company to each State in the Union, for there would be but twenty companies for thirty-one States. All cannot be grati- fied. As to the distribution of patronage, I look upon it as a trifling consideration on an occasion of this kind. But, sir, if you desire to secure efficiency and expedition, I think the volunteers should be raised in regiments, and not in companies. If you take them in single companies from different States it will require some length of time to organize them, and to get them prepared to march to the frontier. If, however, regi- ments are detailed from States, such as the Executive may think most proper, they can be forthwith at the point designated, and get into service without any delay whatever; they will, in the progress of the march, have assimilated themselves to each other; the men will have become acquainted with their officers; they will have officers of their own selection in whom they have con- fidence; and they will be prepared immediately for prompt and efficient action. If, however, you select single companies from different States, discord will arise; they will be designated as company A, from such a place, and company B, from such another place, and they will not act harmoniously. Take a whole regiment from one State, and all its companies will feel as members of a family; they will be homogeneous in their character; there will be no dissimilarity in their feelings or their objects. It is for this reason that I desire to see the regiments taken each from a State, with the power to select their own officers. If, as the Senator from Ohio supposes, they will be detailed in small divisions for various purposes, it is most important that they should have officers of their own selection; that the field officers should not be strangers to them, but should be acquainted with
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