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

ger, and, five escaped without signal dis
astcr or national dishonor, the hazard of
both unnecessarily incurred, could not fail
to excite feeling Of deep reproach. I
earnestly recommend TO you, therefore, TO
make such provisions, that in no future time
shall zoe be found uithout ample means to
repcl aggression, eren although it may come
upon US ,pithom a note Of ,carning We
are now, fortunately, so situated, that the
expenditure for this purpose will not be
felt; and, ifit were it would be approved
by those from whom all its means are
derived, and for whose benefit only it should
be used with liberal economy and an
enlightened forecast"
Here, sir, we have distinct avowal that
there has been gross neglect somewhere.
That IS something gained; but it is left
doubtful whether it is Congress or the Ex-
ecutive that is chargeable with the neglect
which, is so manifest as to call for full ac-
knowledSement. 1t is evident, however,
that the effect Of the manner Of this ad-
mission is to, shield the deinquents who.
ever they may be, and to charge thedefence.
less condition of our country at the late
crisis to the nature of our government. l
shall, before | sit. down, endeavor to
vindicate our form ofgovernment from this
charge, at least SO far as concerns the late
default. Il pledge myself to show who
were the real delinquents, and what were
their employments when they should have
been taking care of the public safety and
interests. But there appears to me to be an
inconsistency in the passage / have Just
read, which | cannot omit to point. out. In
one par,'of the paragraph this sentiment
is expressed.
> From the, nature Of our institutions, the
aaopeaseattss- -ef tie gore7n IN prepara-
tions for hoshiities must erer be too. slow for
the emgencies Of unexpected rar."
In another part of the same paragraph,
we find this sentence.
/" T earnestly recommend to you, therefore,
to make such provisions, that in no future
time shall ve be found arithout ample means
to repelagggression, euen although an'ay come
apo1,s US lvithouta note of acarnisg."
Now, Sir, I'de not know that it is proper
to consider this passage as the result of de-
liberation, or to criticise too closely paper
which, like many Of the same kind, have
often to be drawn up without affording time
for close or accurate provision;sbur 1t Is
manifest that this document was intended
and expected to produce results ofthe great
est importance to the country. twas doubt
less intended to prepareyand reconcile the
public mind to the change ofpolicy by the
party in power, and to give popularity to
the project of expending the surplus revenue
upon such objects as would raise us TO the
first rank among nations in military and
naval power. Iregard it as therefore en-
,ireiy proper to point out any Inconsistency
which may impair the effect oft. Itwould
be idle to vote hundred millions to the pub.
lie defence Of the couhtry, if it be true that
by reason of the nature of our government,
it is impossible that the country can ever
be put into condition to meetthe cmergen-
cy of sudden war.
MIR. Chairman, l regard the time as par
ticu!arly propitious to general review of
the conduct and principles Of men in
power, especially in reference to the public
delences. The French question is at an
end, and VIC can now inquire into the conduct
of the public officers who are responsible
for them, and hold them up naked to the
world, without the risk ofexposing our weak
ness to public enemy. A time ofpeace,
too, it is said, is the time to prepare for war.
This is the great maxim upon which the
new policy Of thc,administration is expected
to be supported. A true and wise maxim
it is, but one which is only half understood
by those in whose mouths we most frequent
II find it. Many suppose that the only
preparation for war consists in increasing
our military and naval establishments.
The great minister of the fourth Henry Of
France, who was surnamed The Great, un-
derstood the full power of this maxim. The
best, the tluest and most effective prepara:
ton for war, is to take care that all the i'm.
portant departments of the civil administra-
ton are in a sound and healthful condition !;
especially those connected with the fiscal
resources Of the country, and those which
are the keys to public confidence. lfthose
be disordered and disarranged when enter:
ing upon q war, there can be no hope OF a
successful and economical management OF
the!public credit and resources, or in other
words, Of the sinews of war-there can be
noreform in time of war. Public conf
dcncc is as essential to the support of wal
as money itself. In truth it is confidence
which supplies money. lfyou mean, then.
reallyto enterupo system Of defence and
effective preparation for war, begin at the
rinht point. Correct the abuses in your
civil adninistration-regulate and discipline
your househould troops. When you have
done this, and not before, may you feel Sc.