Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1841-12-21

OJat the same time Of giving protec-
sao n our frontier settlements, ana OF
u ".,obIi.hing the means Of safe inter-
'nrse between the American settle
.v at the mouth Of the Columbia ,
:rer and those on this side oil the
p.otv Mountains, would seem to sug-
W. ~, the Importance Of carrying into es-
1.-The recommendations upon this head
with as little delay as may be Itoc'ica-
The report Of the Secretary of The
NAVY, will place you in possession of
,be orseni condition Of that important
arm of the national defence. Every
oaor WILDE made to add its Efficiency,
and ] cannot too strongly urge upon
YOU liberal appropriations 10 that
branch Of public service. Induce
nents ofthe weighiisst character exist
for tue adoption Of this course OF PoI'-
cv. Our extende anc otherwise eX-
posed maratine frontier. calls for pro-
=
lection; TO the furnishing of which rn eff
Gcienfi naval force is Indispensable
We look 10 no foreign cOnques's, nor
do we propose 10 enter into competi-
tion with any other nation for suprem-
acv Of the Ocean-but il is due not
only TO the honor but TO the security of
the people Of the United States, that
no nation should be permitted TO in
wade our waters at pleasure and sub
iect our towns and villages TO conAa-
grafton or pillage. Economy in all
branches Of the public service, is due
rom all the public agents to the people
but parsimony alone would suggest
the Withholding of the nescessary
means, for the protection of our fire.
sides from invasion, and our national
honor from disgrace. l would most
earnesdyiecommend to Congress, TO r
abstain from all appropriations. for
objects not absolutely necessary; but
lake upon myself, without moment
of hesitancy, all the responsibility of
recommending the increase and prompt
equipment Of that gallant Navy, which
ias lighted up every sea wi h its victo-
nes, and spread an imperishable glory
all over the Country.
The report ofthe Post Master Gen
.ral will claim your particular attention.
not only because Of the valuable sug.
gestions which itcontains, tut because
Of the great importance which, at al
times, attaches 10 thatinteresiing brancl
Of ,ha public service. The increased
expense Of Transporting the mail along
the principal routes, necessarily claim:
the public attention, and has awakened
a corresponding solicitude on the par
ofthe Government. The transmission
Of the mail must keep pace with thost
facilities of internal communicated
which are every day becoming create
through building Of railroads, and tb'
application Of steam power-but il can
not be'disguised that, in order to do so
the post Office department is subjected
to heavy exactions. The lines o
communication between distant parts O
TIE Union, are, II a great extent, oc
cupied by railroads, which, IN the ma
ture Of things, possess complete mo
nopoly, and the Department is there
fore liable to heavy and unreasonable,
charges. This evil is destined TO grea
increase in future, aud some umel,
measure may become necessary Il
guard againstit.
feel it my duty TO bring under you
consideration a practice which Ina
grown up in the administration Of til
government, and which, ! am deepl
convinced. ought to be corrected
alIude TO the exercise Of the power
which usage rather than reason has yes
ted in the Presidents Of removing in
cumbents from Office, in order, TO sub
sutute others more in favor with
the dominant party My own conduct i
this respect, has been governed by
conscientious purpose TO exercise tn
removing power only in cases Of M
Githrulness or inability, or in those i
which It's exercise appeared necessary
in order TO discountenance and sur
press that spirit of active partisaushi
on the part Of holders Of Office, viii,
not only withdraws them from the ste'
dy and impartial discharge Of their off
cial duties but exerts an undue and il
furious influence over elections, an
degrades the character Of Governmel
itself, inasmuch as it exhibits the Chi
Magistrate, as being party throug
his agents, in the secret plots or opt
workings Of political parties.
In respect 10 the exercise Of the Pov
or, nothing should be left to discretio
which may safely be regulated by la'
and it is Of high importance to restra
as far as possible, the stimulus OF pc
sonal interests in public elections
Considering the great increase whlC
has been made in the public offices,
the last quarter of century, and q
PROBABILITY Of farther increase, we i
cur the hazard OF Witnessing viole
political contests, directed too often
the single object of retaining Office,
those who are in. or obtaining il.