Mr. ROGERS. That is the meaning of the bill and the only construction which can be put upon it. If the intention is not to give an advantage to the Veteran Reserve corps why say that the officers shall be taken from their ranks? Why is it that the body of the Reserve corsto be established by virtue of this bill shali be taken from the body of the Reserve corps as it exists at this time“! Now, Isay that this bill will authorize the officers of the reserve corps as it now exists to take the places in these ten regiments, while that other body of wounded men, 20 times as large, who have been so unfortunate as not to get into the Veteran Reserve corps, are entirely excluded from the benefits of the Reserve corps to be established by this bill. For one I am unwilling to make this discrimination between those who have not had the benefit of the Reserve or Invalid corps and those who have had it. I assert, without fear of contradiction, that the present Reserve corps, or the highest maximum number oflit at any time during the war, would not constitute more than one 20th of the wounded soldiers of the Union Army. Why should we make this class legislation here? Thes persons have been protected and taken care, of by the Federal Government during 3 years of war merely because they happened to have the good fortune to get in this Reserve corps, while 20 times as many men who were not so fortunate and who were exposed to the same risks of battle are not provided for by this bill. But I am mainly opposed to this bill for a aver and greater consideration, and that is or the interests of the country. I am not willing to do anything here for the benefit of these men that will destroy the morale of the American Army and impair its efficiency. NO instance can be pointe out in the history of the world, from the time of Alexander the Great down to the present time, where, in the organization of a great army, an invalid corps has been provided for in the very commencement. Sir, I say that all history will be false if it be true that it is to the best interest of any country, at the formation of an army, to incorporate into that army a body of men who are recognized before they enter the army as unfit to of the great work of military duty for the protection of the country when an invasion may come upon it or an insurrection may break out in it. Now, I am in favor of paing these men liberally in the way in which the government has always provided for its soldiers in such cases. It is enough to put them on an equality with the other soldiers and officers of the Army, with the other brave menwho have shown determination and valor equally with them, without making this particular class legislation, and without specifying and picking out these individuals as the ones who are to have particular consideration from the Government, by placing them in this Reserve corps and making it a part of the permanent organization of the American Army. As was remarked by the learned and eloquent Gentfrom NewYork, [Mr. Coxs LING] cases will arise fast enough by accidents and sickness and wounds received in the service to constitute a corps of this kind in the Army, without providing for such a corps at the outset. You cannot point to the legislation of any country in the world where hereto fore provision has been made in the formation of an army, that ten, 20, or any other number of regiments should be composed and constituted of men unable to do the most important military duty. Why, sir, I have understood from military men, in conversation with them, that they want ablebodied men in the Army, men able and ready at any time when invasion may come upon the country on a sudden, when we have not time to prepare for war, before volunteers can be called out that they may have able bodied and efficient men to advance to the protection of the country at once, and that is the object and intent of the formation of a regular army in this country. When our Constitution provided that congress should have power to raise and maintain an army, it had reference only to the raising and maintaining of a regular army; and it is a fact which the history of all countries in all times attests that a standing army, which is to be called upon in emer encies for the defense of the country, should e composed of able bodied men, competent to render effective service. But, sir, it is enough for me to know that GenlGrant, GenlSherman , General Meade, and General Thomas have all given the weight of their opinion against the formation of any such corps as this. Sir, I have confidence in the patriotism and the sagacious judgment of these officers. I do not pretend to be a military man; I have never been in the Army; but as one of the Representatives of the people of this great country, I am readyto accept t ie views of those who are better qualified than I am to determine what is best cal culated to promote the efficient organization of the Army of the U.S. am satis tied that the advice given by such men as these is rompted by the urest motives and the highest wisdom; and f am willingto be guided by that advice.