The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1841-12-21

as the great secret OF SUCCESS In war Is SuppO- |
sed to be the ability to oppose the many to the
few, it is evident that, in any defensive opera
tons, we shall be able to compete with and to
conquer any probable force that an invading
enemy could bring against that portion of our
territory which is intersected by these interior
communications. Another consequence of mol
little moment flows from the same cause Z; the |
power to defend ourselves with armies of very
diminished numerical force; compared with
those which have heretofore been necessary in
our national conflicts, or those which arc usu-
ally employed on the European continent.
The facilities afforded by canals and rail-
roads 10 collect with any desirable expedition
the supplies of an army from country aboun-
ding with them, and to transport them to the
proper points, will render large depots unne-
cessary. An object of attack to an enemy is
thus removed; and the consequences of the
capture of large collections of munitions of
war, or of subsistence by hostile force, thus
enabled to maintain itself, are obviated
The expense of military operations will be
reduced beyond any present means of exact
caculation,by the same facilities. During the
war with Great Britain the cost of transporta-
ton from New York to Pattsburg, Sackett's
Harbor on Buffalo,was from five to twelve dol
lars per hundred. The present cost to Platts-
burg is thirty cents, and to the other points
named, sixty cents per hundred. A twelve
FOUNDER, which, at the cheapest rate could not
have been carried to Buffalo for less than two
hundred dollars, may now be transported 10
the same point in one fifth or one eighth of the
time. for twenty-four dollars. In every point
of view in which these works can be consider
- Al Ir-If O4 hn
defensive means of the nation, without any ex-
pense TO the General Governmet other than
the subscriptions it has authorized to few of
them and it may be affirmed, without exag-
geration, that the aggregate Of saving, in any
future war in which we may be engaged, Is
the comparatively small amount of military
force that will be necessary for defence, and
in the cheapness of transportation afforded by
railroads and canals now in existence, Will be
equal to the cost of their construction. LII,
then, the making ofthese works has been pre-
mature or improvdent, in reference to the
means of the States that undertook them, and
has involved them in pecuniary embarrass-
ments, the National Government should not
complain of an enterprise that has placed these
incacuabc advantages in its hands and, if
it cannot relieve, will at least sympathize in
| the misfortunes which have resulted from such
efforts.
The construction of Fortifications under
the liberal appropriation of the Extra Session
is vigorously progressing. The Secretary
says;
1t will be seen that some of the most impor-
tant works for the defence of the harbor of
New York cannot be continued, for the want
of the appropriations that were recommended
at the late session.. 1t is of the utmost conse-
quence, to the protection of that city, that
prompt and decisive action should be had up
on the subject.
The Secretary urges that appropriations be
made for the completion of Military Roads au-
thoriZed by and commenced under acts of Con-
gress They should either be completed or
formally given up.
The Pensioners of the United States are
rapidly diminishing. The Report states
that,
During the last year, the number of pension
ers on the rolls has diminished more than one
third, the greatest proportion having occurred
among the invalids, the revolutionary pension
ers under the act of 1918, and the widows of
certain persons who served in the war of the
Revolution, under the act of 1888. The whole
number. of all descriptions, on the roll at the
date of the last annual report, was forty-four
thousand three hundred and ninety-four. The
whole number at present is twenty six thousand
five hundred and thirty one of whom two
thousand six hundred and five are invalids
three thousand nine hundred and fifty
receive pensions under the act of 1928; SIX
teen thousand six hundred and eighty-two un-
der the act of 1882 two thousand three hum
dred and three under the act Of 1886 ; and
five hundred and forty-seven widows under
the act of 1898.
Dixon Il. LEWIS has arrived at Washington
as fat as ever. This settles the question of his
death, we suppose.
Mississippi paper states tina, Mr.. Gwin.
one Of The newly elected anti bond members of
Cong ress. was indebted to the Union Bank of
Mississippi, upwards of 500, 900 dollars. all of
which, except small sum paid in deprecated
paper, remains unpaid. He is an GU, and out
anti bender.
"LAND ADMIRAL REEsIDE. The verdict
in behalf this gentleman, appears to have graf
ihed every class of citizens. Its justice all
concede who know the merits of the case, al
though it is somewhat tardy Justice. Land
Admiral Ree.dc.' title by which he is ex.
tensively known. has been one of the most
efficient and extensive mail contractors in this
country. He has been engaged in this bust
ness for long series Of years, and has often
put his shoulders TO the wheel TO help the
department out of the mire' of pecuniarv
difficulties. Reside has ever been distinguish
ed for his penerous traits of character for his