Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-11-03
[l2 Ii Cents Single. !

/ earth.
| They may have thought that trade is its
best pro,eclress, and that those nations
actually pay less for the commodities they
consume, who abstain from an AHMED pro-
lection Of trade, than those Thai support
the most splendid and expensive establIsh-
Ineuts.
All these considerations may have in
duced them, as they certainly hare many
wise men, to think that The true policy of
the United States forbade governmental
interference in commercial njerpyises,
thus permitting her citizens unmoiested-
ly TO pursue their own iuciinations, with
out inviting them, by the aEurements of
q navy, into a situation, where but fee
bic protection could bs given. In confr-
nation that this is the deliberate senti-
ment entertained by nauy Of oar bes, CT
tizsns, we nay cite the instructions given
in 1900 by the Legislature OF Virginia TO
their Senators on the alarmiagCrisis OF the
public affairs 1t that period.
With respect to The Navy" say they,
cit may be proper TO rem,a1 you that
whatever may be The proposed obieGt of
its establishment, or whatever may be the
nrospec. Of temporary advantages result
ug therelrom, it is demonstrated by the
experience ofall nations, who have yestur-
ed far into naval policy, that such prospect
IS Ultimately delusive and Chat navy
has ever in praCice been KNOW, more as
an instrument Ct power, q source Of ex-
pense, and an occasion Of collisions and
wars witch other notions, than IS an instru-
ment OF defence, of ecOuosoy, or Of pro-
iection 20 commerce. Flor is there any
nation in the Judgment OF the General AS
senibly, to whose circumstances this re-
mark is more applicable than to the u
lifted States"
After this expression Of their opinion,
the General Assembly Instruct the Sena-
tors, and request the Representatives Of
Virginia, " 10 use their best efforts To pre-.
vent any augmentation Of the navy, and
TO promote any proposition for reducing
1t, as circumstances will permit, within
he narrowest limits comparable with the
protection OF the sea coasts, ports and
harbors of the United States, and of con-
sequence proportionate reduction Of the
taxes"
Other eminent authorities. to the same
effect, might be added but We sh Ill pre-
fer taking view of the measures OF the
government, with the avowed grounds ON
which they were taken, as the c.earest IL
lusira.ion Of public opinion.
From the year 1880, when the govern
ment went into operation, TO the wear
1919, there was no official recomrenda-
tion OF navy, or steps taken toward its
establishment. SO far from this being
within the contemplation OF ile govern.
ment during that period, we find strong
proofs OF contrary sentiment. General
Washington. in his address at the open-
ing oI the third session OF IN. FIRST Con-
gress on the SIh Of December 1920, saws.
" he disturbed situation of Europe, and
particularly the critical posture oftha great
maIuma powers, whilst It ought 10 mike
us more thankful for the general peace
and security enjoyed by The United States.
reminds Us at the same time Of the Cir
cur Pecioa with which it becomes us to
preserve these blessings. Il requires al
50, that We should not overlook the ten-
dency OF 1t war, and even Of PREPARATIONS
iorawaramoug tie nations most concerned
IN active commerce with this country, to a.
bridge the means, and thereby at least en-
nance the price OF transporting it's va
liable productions 20 proper markets. I
recommend 1t 10 your serious reflections.
how far and in what mode it may be ex-
pedient to guard against emh. RI ssments
rom these contingencies, on SUch e7co,l-
ra5emenis 10 CIR 1aUicgfiou as q,H 1eyde,.
our commerce. anR agriculture less defe7de,,e
or J3re{gn 5oftoHs, which may fail us in
The very moments most ia.c!l STING TO botb