The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1840-05-30


derS, no precautions have been neglected
to provide for the defence Of this important
and extensive frontier. Such system has
been projected, and is being rapidly carried
in,O execution, as will sfTectually protect
our fellow. citizens in that quarter from all
danger from that source.
From the peculiar circumstances grow
ing out Of the insurrection in Canada, the
difIicult and delicate task was imposed OH
the War Department, Of preserving the
peace and maintaining the good faith Of
the country amidst all the excitement which
existed on the Northern frontier. Fortu-
nately for the country, the exertiOns Of gov
ernmeps. were successful, and our neutral
obligations were maintained inviolate, at a
time. too; when the exigencies Of the SER
vice required the presence Of tho greater
portion Of Ott little ARMY in the south, and
on the western frontier.
This expenditures Of this department
during the first year Of Mr.. Van Buren's
administration, were beyond his CONTROL
Measures had been projected, and were
partly executed; and tho obligations incur
red by the department, involving heavy ex-
pendtures had TO be compiled with, or the
faith Of ths gstsrnmens violated. Each sue
ceeding year has however brought with it
considerable reduction Of expenditure. -
Notwithstanding the increase of the militia
ry establishment and the heavy expense
attending the execution Of the Cherokee
and other Indian treaties, the expenses oi
| 1888 were reduced one million of dollars
those Of 1899 nearly four millions, and
further reduction in 1910 Of at least thte:
millions is confidently anticipated.
NoG have the interests Of the navy been
heglecied OF forgotten; Sensible that it i.
equally Indispensable to tho prStcclioh oi
commerce, and the honor Of the country;
that it constitutes the righ. arm Of the ma.
ton in oil offensive operations; that i. is
one main instrument for sxActing satisfac.
lion for insults and retribution for wrongs,
and that under no circumstances is il likely
to be perverted to the establishment of des.
potic power, Mr.. Van Buren has equally
given IT his fostering care, and sedulpus at.
tention.
Under his administration, constant
gradual increase OF the materials for the
construction and armament Of ships, and
the improvement OF navy yards, 10 the a.
MOUNT of several millions IN value, has oc.
CURED; some of those on the stocks have
been brought nearer to completion; the most
persevering efforts are making 10 revive and
invigorate the discipline 0f the navy, and to
remedy, as far as possible, that scarcity Of
Sc men, which has become so apparent, by
carrying into effect system OF appren-
ticeship which, il is expected, will by de-
gees supply every deficiency. All this
has been done without increasing the aPPro-
priations FOR the support Of the naval ser
vice, notwithstanding the addition of the
Exploring expedition, whose officers and
crews are paid and subsisted from the funds
Of the navy. On the contrary, gradual
reduction has taken place since the year
1887. amounting to nearly million Of dol
lars, while tho accumulation Of materials
has increased, and the number of vessels
in commission, either as receiving ships or
on foreign service, is net diminished. So
eifeclually is the commerce Of the country
protected in every quarter where protection
is required, that We have lately seen the
British admiralty, with it's Eve hundred
ships. publicly reproachsd with the exam
pie Of Tho United S atss in this particular.
Let US now contrast The Pisturs just pre-
ssnted, with the opposition which the adj
ministralon so conducted has encountered.
The identity of the modern wings and
ancient Federallsts is evident and undenia-
BILE. II may he distinctly traced through
all their changes of name, and seen through
all their DISCUSSES. Tie same want Of con
fidsncs in the honesty and intelligence Of