Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-01-21
NATIONAL DEFENCE

WAsHIHGToE Jan. I4-Mr Benton ves,erd,v ;n,r.
uueu general resolution to take the of the Sc
nate upon the propricy of defeating the surplus
nue. TO the purpose OF completing Notifications in nil
quarters oil The Union and making effectua the vast
sums wcb nave already been expended on half finished
works. which are now exposed TO ruin well from the
elements as from public enemy. Mr. Benton noblv
proclaimed that he presented his system in its broadcast
or lot tue express purpose of tax ing issue with The So
yera projects introduced by Mr. Clay and Mr. Calhoun
tue hrs proposing 10 scatter the whole revenue ariain
from the sale of public lands aonp the States IN ,
schemes OF specializing politicians the last to give the
entre surplus to similar scrambles the State Iegisa
lures These bids for venal popularity are met by Mr.
denton, who, with Roman frmness shuts the door of
'he treasury IN the faces of men who would buy the
people with their own money The honest object for
wneh the surplus was set apartllc payment of the
debt OF the two wars--being accom- pshed MIR Benton
would now apply it to the sacred purpose of provid;n@
of Tie national defence and of preventing the recuf
renee OF wars.
In the course of the discussion MIR Benton advo,t.d
to the present naked and defenceless condition of The
country, which, it was made manifest from the decara
ton OF tho French themselves, had prompted their pre-
sent menacing attitude towards fc alluded TO the
Senatcs vote against the three millions approprioon
which passed the House, TO provide for the contingent
cy which has happened. This called fo,ib M,ssrs
Webster, Leigh, Preston, and some others whom we
did not stay to hear. Each had an explanation TO ~
cusc course which, at this moment involves so deeply
the interests Of the country. But il IL remarkable
that declared the real motive which The
whole country understands have actuatcd their CON
duet The Opposition in the Senate had taken ground
against tic Presidcnt on the French question rhev
had resolved 20 embarfass the Administration in lis
officially with France, it bad done on every question
on which IT was slaked They knew that If IL appear.
ed To- The world that councils were not divided on
the great point Of maintaining The national rights and
honor, BY insisting ON the treaty, the whole treaty and
nothing bot the treaty, IL would have been performed m
good faith, and the President would have had the ior
Of retiring from The Chief Mogsacy his civil adninis
tation crowned with the blessings OF peace as his mill;
iory career had been with The honors Of war This vas
gall and NORWOOD 10 his enemies II would have
crushed those hopes which depend altogether noon
agitation, public excitement, and sectional dicutcs
% mas Tor 1o mill,
most decisive step the part Of the Senate 10 convince
France that every branch Of the Government would
stand by the President If the alternative Of war was en
the only means Of preserving national Character AZ
the Opposition had at the threshold determined to mako
the most Of the French difficulty, they refused 10 rive
vote at the close Of the session. which would ;,ercoc
the moral Influence well the physical power of
the head Of the nation, TO accomplish the great object for
winch ne lanofed me - the true Of the defeat
Of the appropriation; bat the ingenuity Of tie re-
cusont Senators viii be tortured 10 invent some pansi
bic pretenccs 70 conceal what has been perfectly plain