State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-05-31
WHOLE NO. $40.

same time, there were documents ordered
to be printed at the commencement of the
session which had not been furnished. 1t
is easy 10 penetrate the design of this un-
usual despatch. That document was ex-
pected to give tone to public sentiment,
generally and speedily. The effect of it
upon this House, after it had had time to
he returned upon it through thousand
channels, was relied upon to pass the bill
necessary to carry this new policy of the
administration into execution. beg leave
to read single paragraph of this message,
that may submit few remarks upon the
singular character of it.
{" may be permitted, / trust, at this time,
without suspicion of the most remote de-
sire to throw off censure from the Execu-
tive, or to point il to any other department
or branch of the Government, to refer to
the wani-of effective preparation in which
our country was found at the late crisis
From the nature Of our institutions, the
movements Of the Government IN preparation
for hostHitieS must eUer be too Slolc for the
erigeneies Of unexpected uur. | submit it
then to you, whether the first duty we owe
to the people, who have confided to us their
power, is not TO place our country in such
attitude rs always TO be SO amply supplied
with the means of self-defence as to afford
no nducement to other nations to presume
upon our tOrbearance, or to expect impor-
tant advantages from sudden assault, ell
ther upon our commerce, our seacoast, or
our interior frontier. In case of the COM
mencement of hostlities during the recess
of Congress, the time inevitably elapsing
before that body could be called together,
even under the most favorable circum-
stances, would be pregnant with danger,
and, if we cscapad without signal disaster
or national dishonor, the hazard of both
unnecessarily incurred could not fail TO ex-
cite feeling of deep reproacb. ! earnest
ly recommend to you, therefore, 10 make such
provisions, That in no future time shall ace be
found 1OithOm ample means to repel aggress-
ion, eren although 1t may come upon as
,cithom note Of ,ear7ling. We are now,
fortunately, SO situated, that the expendi-
ture for this purpose will not be felt; and,
if it were, it would be approved by those
from whom all its means are derived, and
tor whose benefit only it should be used,
with a 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-
which is so manifest as TO call for a full
acknowledgment. 1t is evident, however,
that the effect of the manner of this admis-
sion is to shield the deinquents, whoever
they may he, and to charge the defenceless
condition in our country at the late crisis
to the nature of our Government. j shall,
before / sit down, endeavor TO vindicate
/ our form of Government from this charge,
at least so far as concerns the late default.
pledge myself to show who were the
real delinquents, and what were their en-
ployments when they should have been
taking care of the public safety and inter-
ests. But there appears to me to be an
Inconsistency in the passage | have just
read, which | cannot omit to point out In
one part of the paragraph the sentiment is
eXpressed
From the nature Of our institutions,
I the movements Of the Government in prepar-
atoms for hostihties must euer be too slo,o
for the erigenc:es Of unexpected ,rar."
In another part of the same paragraph,
we find this sentence: 81 earnestly recon-
mend to you, therefore, 10 make such provis-
ions, that in no future time shall ,ce be found
auithom ample means TO repel aggression, ersn
although ii may come upon as ,cithOW note
Of ,carning."
Now, sir, do not know that it is proper
to consider this passage as the result of
deliberation, or TO criticise too closely
paper which, like many of the same kind,
have often TO be drawn up without Afford
ing time for close or accurate revision; but
it is manifest that this document was inten
ded and expected to produce results of the
greatest importance TO the country. Ii was
doubtless intended to prepare and recon-
| oil he l;o Y,,;nl ba cbo Of Tnli-
CIV by the party in power, and to give pop
ularity to the project of expanding the
surplus revenue upon such objects as would
raise us 10 the first rank among nations in
military and naval power. l regard it,
therefore, as entirely proper 10 point out
any inconsistency which may impair the
effect of it. 1t would be idle to vote hum
bred millions to the public defence of the
country, if it be true that, by reason of the
nature of our Government, it is impossible
that the country can ever be.put into
conution to meet the emergency OF sud
den war;
MIR Chairman, regard the time as par
ticulary proptious TO a general review OF
the conduct and principles of men in pow
H err, especially in reference TO the public
defences. The French question is at an
end and we can now inquire into the con-
duct of the public officers who are respon-
+ sible for them, and hold them up naked to
{ the world, without the risk of exposing
our weakness to public enemy. A time
OF peace, too, it is said, is the time to pre-
pare for war This is the great maxim
upon which the new policy of the admin
istration is expected to he supported. A
true and wise maxim it is, but one which
is only half understood by those in whose
mouths we most frequently find it. Many
suppose that the only preparation for war
consists in increasing our military and nc
vaI establishments The preat minister of