Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-02-07


bur,hen? If there is to be any change in our
course, we ought to go on faster, because we
can now go faster with less fatigue.
This system of defence has been approved,
no, only by Congress, but by the people OF this
country-it has been sancti6ed by their appro-
baton, and they are no, prepared TO abandon
and give it up. If there be any extreme on thls
subject, it is that the people OF the country are
too sensitive in regard to it. They have consl-
dered these defensive works as almost too sa-
cred, and too much beyond the reach OF Con-
gress. So much were the efforts oil portion
of this House 10 silt and reduce the expendl-
lures for these objects disapproved, that they
procured for the authors of them, in some parts
of this country, the epithet Of Radicals. Al
though the motives of these gentlemen were
good, their design patriotic, and It's fruits ge-
morally good-for Mr. dcL. admitted that the
exertions they had made had had some bench
cial inhuence-yet bitter fruits had also sprung
from i. The people Of the country, thinking
this system of Notifications was about to be as
sailed, were the first to rally around them: and
one of the bi,,erest fruits Of this exhibition OF
popular sentimen, was to be found in its effects
upon the public prospects OF one OF the best and
ablest men Of that day hope, said Mr. Mel
NAV BIZ permitted now TO speak OF the late
Secretary Mr.. Crawford) without fear and with
out reproach He is, so far as regards myself
beyond the reach of hope or envy. | may be
permitted to speak of him as knew him He
was, of all men, the least obnoxious TO the
charge of hostility TO the system OF permanent
defence Nay, he was one ofthe principal found
ers of that system. His able report OF the sub
iect, whilst Secretary Of War, to which refer
with pride and pleasure, originated this system
inviting here the able engineer, whose servi-
ces have been continued under the enlightened
auspices Of those who have since had charge OF
that Department speak OF the high merit OF
that distinguished individual who has now
Withdrawn from public life without ihvidions
sentiments for am not one OF those who sit
down and gre,e and grumble over what has
passed. | look 10 the future, and would so act
here, that, when the future comes, 1t may find
the people happy and the country prosperous
With regard to that distinguished individual,
however, know that cardinal point of his
policy was vigorous prosecution OF the sys-
lem of maritime defence; and I wish him to
hear, in his retirement, that the friends who
stood by him in the hour OF trial still abide by
his principles-thai he may be able 10 say OF his
friends as he has magnanlmously said OF his adj
versares, Let them be Judged by their measures!
This system, sir, is established by Congress,
and approved by the people. 1t is ours, and
we cannot abandon It.
The gentleman from Pennsylvania thinks
that we are proceeding in this system too ra-
pidly. He would prefer the application OF our
resources to works Of internal improvement.
But, sir, look al our system ofinternal improve
ment. During the last session OF Congress we
appropriated more than one million oil dollars
to objects Of that description, so that, II our
estimate for Notifications, instead oil being 1885,
900 dollars, had been million OF dollars, II
still would have been within the omount which
we willingly gave last session Tor internal I'M
provements. And sir, if we appropriate the
public money for the construction oil roads and
canals, must we not syend it in the same ratio
on fortiGcations to defend those roads anc Gu
nails? We ale told Of the expense, and 1t is re-
presented as likely to be ruinous TO this nation.
Sir. nothing is easier than to raise phantom
of financial dangers But, let US put our hand
on this expense, and let US see, from an EXPOSE
ton Of facts, whether laying out this amount
on the defences of the country is or is not like
ly to ruin the country. Lei us suppose state
Of war, and let us suppose that war to take
place without the existence OF any such sys-
lem. The enemy would attack New-Orleans,
Norfolk, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York,
or Narraganset Bay. Suppose him to have
concentrated about 10000 men at Halifax or
Bermuda, aud with this force 10 come down TO
attack you. How are you to resist him! AS
YOU cannot tell on which Of these points the
attack will fall, you must have at each OF the
points exposed body Of men equal to at least
one half of the attacking force. Such, OF least,
is the computation oftIe ahlest and most expe-
rienced military men. These stationary troops
would amount TO 81 900, in addition to which
you must have corps Of reserve OF not less
than $4,000. All these are regular troops In
addition to these, you Call out the militia. You
then have both the regulars and the militia TO
support You place raw men in the midst OF
camp, and you very shortly have sickness
breaking GU, among them. In the mean while
the enemy manoeuvres in such manner that
it is concluded he means 10 attack n. Orleans,
or that he means to attack New-lork. 1t Is
only manoeuvre, but as this cannot certainly
be known, il forces you to march your troops,
and, by the time you have discovered 1t to be
only manoeuvre, your troops have been IN full
march. thew cannot be recalled but at an i'm
mense expense, perhaps cannot be recalled at
all before the enemy is attacking another point
: of your sea board. Now, the expence OF keep
ing such an army ON foot for six mon'hs has