57
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1858
the capacity and disposition of the various subordinate officers in their regiments, that they may' make suitable details for special purposes, and thereby accomplish more efficient service than they could do without this knowledge. I am decidedly of opinion that it is best to select regiments from States. I do not say this because I expect any to be taken from the State in which I reside, nor would I care to have any taken from there; but I am satisfied that this matter ought to be left discretionary with the President to accept the services of volunteers in regiments, so as to give the greate2t facility to the action that is expected to be taken under the provisions of the bill. I shall vote against the amendment of the Senator from Ohio, satisfied that there is no substantial reason for its adoption, and I can see many impediments to the prosecution of the campaign if it should be adopted. It will pro- duce delays, .discords, dissimilarity of character, and want of capacity in the commanding officers to make the details that might be requisite for special services. Mr. Houston. I take the very opposite view of the gentleman from New Hampshire. I have no doubt that if it is necessary to employ troops, the efficiency of the volunteers will be such as to convince the public mind that they are the only efficient descrip- tion of troops that will hereafter necessarily be employed in the defense of the country. In that way it will supersede the passion that may exist for the increase of the regular Army. I think it is the only possible means of defeating, rather than contributing to, the desire for an increase of the regular Army. That is one reason which prevails with me on the present occasion to support the volunteer system in preference to the regular Army; for I have determined, as I have before expressed myself, never to vote for an increase of the regular Army, unless it is in time of war, and never for the purpose of suppressing intestine broils. Mr. Houston. Though I am anxious to vote upon this bill, and do not desire to detain the Senate, I think it proper to allude to some remarks, which have been made. In the first place, I regretted to hear an attempt, on the part of the Senator from New Hampshire, ·to reflect upon the President of the United States, as I thought, in an unjust manner. I am not the advocate of the President of the United States; he does not expect advo- cacy at my hands; but I am willing and anxious to render justice to him. It will be found, I think, by reference to the annual message of the President of the United States, that he founded his recommendation for an increase of the Army upon the sug- gestion of the Secretary of v,,, ar and the Commanding General,
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