True American. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1835-18??, 1839-02-01
GEN. GAINEs's NATIONAL DEFENCE.

GEN. GAINEs's NATIONAL DEFENCE.
The maxim whieh recon- IDS the preparations
for war 10 BIZ commenced during times Of peace i,
a correct one. When a nation is felt by her neigh.
bors be strcn,, she has their respect -she COM
ndsn-whercas If her debility has become q
byword, che is deridsd for her weak ness and il
protected, il at all through their courtesy" Tho
means Of defence which our c.:untry has mostly
relied on have been the vnlor and TIC integrity Of
her sons-hir general intelligence and their tcadi
ness at all times to mo forward, when hostily
is threat ened. The intelligence of our nation 10
| almost universol-if we have fewer distinguished
| scholars than other and older countries, we
have q maSe Of information among the !yeo.
many, the bone and sinew-thc working class, of
which no other country can boast This is one
| great reason why the American soldier so soon
becomes veteran; almost as soon Us he enters the
ranks. file has been laugh. to think from his
cradle. His mind is not q sieve through which all
the instruction he receives passes and he loves his
naive soil and is proud Of his couniry's ins.itu-
| lions; and SO great is his ardour, that his bosom
giows OF the recital Of the glowing deeds of his
countrymen in defence, and his heart paris for
opportunity to show that oil Tho Roman blood has
| not run to wuse.
exceIlen, material for soldiery-a brave and
gallant sodiery-a formidable, il not snf4icen,
bulwurk ngains, TO- eign invasion; i, must be ad-
United Tint, as yet, We have not sufficient means
of transportation, and connecting links with the
interior, by which in Of attack, the strength
of the country could, at a moments warning, be
brought 10 bear agains, an enemy at any Of the
exposed points where he might choose TO make
landing Hence the importance Of railroads and
other proven ents which will facilitate the trans
porsaon Of men and provisions, from the interior
10 the frontier.
The country should take these facts into con.
sideration, among the munifold reasons why works
of internal improvement should be prosecuted
with vigor. Besides furnishing the means of pour
ing out the very heart Of the county, to the
exposed points, and which otherwise would offer
but feeble resistance, these roads will be connect
ing links Of union, and will rive still mere strongly
the ties that bind the States together.
We have been led 10 these few ha.,y reflections
from having had placed in our hands some printed
and MSS documents drawn up by Maj Gen. f. p
Gaines, in which they strongly rec omm nded'
together with the erection Of foating batteries 70
the defence Of harLors and tho mouths Of rivers.
The General has devoted much time and toll TO
the contemplation Of the subject Of national de-
fence, and his views exert an influence whel-
ever they are known. He recommends the sppli-
cation Of steam to our national vessels, not only
the utility but necessity Of which will soon DO dc.
monstrated to the satisfaction Of the mos, scep.
teal We regre, that these articles Of Gen Gaiaes
arc too leng for our columns. They possess con-
.ilerabe inleres. and contain a variety Of mos,
important facts.