Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1836-05-10

] villa Navy, Of less than 100 ships of wal
| in commission be regarged as al all admis.
sible for country Of such resources, oi
such character and importance in the scale
of nations! Such are the views ofgrandeur
and power which are now beginning to ex.
ercise an important influence over the course
of many of the leading men in power.
Some opinion may be formed of the
magnifcence Of the projects Of the party,
from the declaration upon this subject OF
the gentleman from New York (Mr. Cam.
breleng), made in the course ofhis remarks
upon the resolution Of the gentleman from
Massachusetts (Mr. Adams(. The gentle.
man expressed the hope, that in short
time we would see the navy of this country
placed upon footing to cope with the
most powerful maritime power of Europe
Who does not see from all this that we are
to have an increased Tarif'in due season,
and that the managers Of the party are
preparing to claim the support of the
manufacturing interests?
But if we should be satisfied that it is the
true policy of the country to adopt the
plan Of defending the country by fonifca.
tons, no matter at what cost !; to increase
the army and navy, at the risk even of an
increased system Of taxation; still the in.
quiry and discussion which propose to
60 into, will be of great Importance. The
system Of public defence may be wise and
prudent in itself; but the time, and manner
ofcarrying it into execution, may and does
demand separate consideration. The
improvement of the navy, and the new
forti6cations projected; it is estimated will
require an annual expenditure of ten mil.
lions for ten years, making a total Of ose
hundred millions. The faithful and judicious
application Of this vast fund, supposng it
to be settled that it shall be expended upon
these objects, becomes subject of the
deepest interest to the whole country. The
country has right to. enquire who are the
agents and public servants who are about to
be entrusted with the disbursement Of this
enormous capital. Are they faithful? Are
they competent? Have they proved them.
selves so upon past trial! Sir, great pre-.
liminary question is to be settled before we
add ten millions to the usual annual ex.
penditure. 1t is q question of confidence
in public servants, as well as expediency.
Who are they that demand from the rep
resentatives of the people this signal mark
of confidence to place ten millions in their
hands during the present year, more than
atany former period? Arc they the same
public servants who have had charge Of
the public delences during our late Difficult.
ties with France, and under whose supcrin-
tendcnce they have suffered decay and
dilapidasion? By what title do they ask this
extraordinary evidence Of confidence?
Sir, they ask for money and increased
confidence; we demand scrutiny into past
conduct. They ask, for reward for. past
merit and service; it may become our duty
to arraign them as delinquents before the
tribunal Of the public instead of pouring
the Treasury into their laps. To vote
moneyis the least difficultand most pleasant
duty; of. a representative of the people. 1t
requires neither experience, industry, talents,
nor fidelity in members. But, sir, to see
and to provide that it shall be faithfully 'ex-
pended and. applied to objects of public
utility, is mort difficult as well as more
important part of our duty. am aware
that upon this question of confidence and
competency Of the public officers Of the
Government, as well as the policy of'ma-
king large appropriations forbuilding up the
defsnces Of the Country, there is ready
and conclusive argument at hand, IN the
minds of many. II know well enough that
an objections are intended to be met and
nut down here and before the people, by
holding up for their due regard and ac-
oucscence the sentiment and recommends
ton sof the late Special Message upon
French affairs. 1t should be borne in mind
that $4,000 copies of that Message were
ordered to be printed by this House; and
in week from the-da of that order, the
whole number was said to be published and
at the disposal of members, when at the
same time there were documents ordered to
be printed at the commencement of the
session, which had been furnished. 1t is
easy to penetrate the design of this unusual
despatch. The document was expected to
give tone to public sentiment, generally and
speedily. The effect of it tupon this House
after it had time to be returned upon 1t
through q thousand channels, was rallied
upon to pass the bill necessary to carry this
new policy of the Administration into ex'
ecution. / beg leave to read q single
paragraph Of the Message, that / may sub
NIT few rema1i upon the singular
character of it.
81 may be permitted, | trust, at this time,
without a suspicion Of the most remote
desire to throw off censure from the Ex-
ecutive, or to point it to any other depart.
ment or branch of the Government, to refer