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be shown upon the regular branch, in improving its material and tone, and making it in all respects the picked army of the world.
The committee do not feel authorized to propose any measure of this character, in connection with this report, but they respectfully refer the suggestion to the consideration of the Senate.
It is not deemed necessary by your committee to enter at further length upon the discussion of the measure proposed in the bill submitted for their examination.
The arguments against it which might be drawn from its tendency to a dangerous centralization of power in the hands of the Federal government; the manifest injustice which would be done to the officers of the regular service, whose education and pursuits have been of a character to fit them peculiarly for the intelligent practice of the profession of arms, by reducing them to a level with volunteer officers, lacking both in professional skill and experience; the injustice, also, on the other hand, of forcing untaught volunteer officers into direct competition with practiced regulars, by placing them on the same footing, and thus requiring of them the same knowledge and proficiency; these, and other arguments which might be brought forward, your committee have not thought proper to advance.
It is believed that enough has already been said to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Senate that the bill is wanting in every essential quality which would justify its enactment into a law.
The committee, in conclusion, recommend that the military service of the country shall be permitted to remain undisturbed upon the basis where it was placed by the Constitution.
Upon that basis the military affairs of the government have been satisfactorily managed ever since the government itself has had existence; and regulars and volunteers, in following the instincts of their patriotism, and in pursuing the generous rivalry which springs from the distinct character of their organizations, have been at once the defence and the glory of the republic.
The committee report the bill back to the Senate, with a recommendation that it do not pass.
Van Nostrand. New York, New York. 1868.
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