Mr. HARDING, of Illinois. I should be in favor of the amendment of the Gentfrom NewYork [Mr. VANAER NAM] if it did not render the section incon ous with the General scope of this bill. he section proposes to increase the number of officers on the expense of the Army without increasing its e ciency. It is provided in this bill that these quartermasters and adjutants, when they have any public property in their possession, shall have ten dol ars extra because of the responsibility which is devolved upon them. Now, what in Heavens name has aquartermnster to do but to take public property and take care of it? There is not a regiment in the service today but what can find 40 capable privates who have served for years who are competent for that position and who would be glad to obtain it. There is scarcely a wounded volunteer in the Army that is not capable of performing, in time of peace, all the duties and responsibilities which devolve by military law upon the office of quarterniaster or adjutant. they are both very genteel berths, inuchsou htafterbyyoung men of distinguished families. hey are soft places, and can be made use of to get glory without danger. Now, sir, except so far as I may feel bound to keep up the principle of this bill, and make it what it is designed to be, I shall not vote for a provision for the benefit of gentlemen who have political influence enough to get into the Army to live easy. My po ic would be to have simplyan efficient army or police duty in time O peace, and not have an officer or a man beyond the actual needs of the service. I would not create a standin arm in anticipation of a warin the future. t istelast source to which I would look for security to liberty or law. A standing army is the engine and contrivance of monarchy and tyranny. It is the school in which despotism is learned; and if you keep up a large standing army in this country for a few years, schooled as standing armies usually are, you will find a large over shadowin institution, which is alien to the sentiments O freedom, virtue, and intelligence in the people. Sir, I recollect at the beginning of the late war that a large proortion of the Army which we had nourished an educated, as we supposed, in harmony and sympathy with the great sentiment which has since put down that rebellion, deserted our flag and went over to the enemy. Notwithstanding their discipline and education at WestPoint they turned against this country and those who remained in some instances and performed good service in the field, hesitated, if we are not misinformed, as to which side they should take.