The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1841-10-08
than are in England or France, in proper
ton to the number of people.

our means of defence are quite different
from those countries. Our main depen-
dence for our defence is on the militia,
and not on a standing army, as is the case
in the European Governments. Our mi
litia are the citizen soldiers, who are dis
persed all over the Union, and in any
case OF peril or imminent danger, we may
have a sudden call for the use Of arms,
so that access to the remote arsenals or
armories would be too slow for the &C.
casion.
would say, i, will be much better to
have too many arms, than too few. Let
any one reflect on the perilous situation
of Gen. JACKSON, and the army during
the last war, at New Orleans, for the
want Of arms. The deficiency Of arms
on that memorable occasion endangered
the army, the city, and the whole South
western frontier.
1t would be a bad calculation as to
dollars and cents, humanity being exempt
from the consideration, TO endanger an
army and the country again, for the saving
of Il few dollars in the manufacture of
arms. The arms, if not needed, will
remain in the country. They are not
perlshablc. BY proper care, they will
las, for ages, and be always ready for the
defence of the country.
Although war may not be at this time
certain, yet no one will say that our rcla-
lions with Great Britain are Of the most
friendly character. That nation is en-
croachlng on lis, as she is on all other
nations who come within her sphere of
avarlce and cupidlty. We have difficult
ties with her that may force us into a
war. 1t is true that the English are now
settled on our territory towards the mouth
of Columbia river; that nation has pos
sessions and forts on our soil in that re-
gion of country. The dispute in relation
to the boundary in Maine is not yet adj
justcd. They adhere to their conswuc-
ton of the treaty with such pertinacity,
that il seems nothing less than war to
drive them out of North America will
satisfy them. 1t is very probable II will
require the same argument, the force of
arms, TO get them removed from our soil
at the mouth of Columbia river.
They have not abandoned either the
right or the practice of the search Of our
vessels on the ocean. This is the old
bone Of contention, and if they do not
abandon the practice the United States
will be compelled to force them to pro-
per sense of their duty.
The celebrated case of Mcleod is yet
on hand. If that individual is even re-
leased, or acquitted, the outrage commit
ted by authority of Great Britain on our
territory and people, is not yet adjusted
by that Government. The American
people will never remain quiescent under
that ndignity and injury offered to our
country. The destruction of the proper
ty and lives of our peaceable citizens
must he atoned for, in some manner, by
the English Government.
If Mcleod should be convicted, as !
presume he ought TO be, that may pro-
woke war. If the facts will justify the
conviction, | have no doubt the people
of the country where he is tried will have
the frmness and moral courage to execute
the laws on him like any other offender.
| hope and trust, under all and any cir
cumstances, the laws of the country will
find men of sound principles and homes,
hearts sufficient to execute them. If a
VIZ should be forced on us, on these con-
alterations, it will be popular, and our
militia will stand in need OF arms COM
mensurate with their courage and willing
ness to use them in the war.
| am informed, Mr.. Speaker, that I'M
der the provisions of the amendment from
the Senate, the President will be bound
to select the site for the armory from the
reports of engineers made in the year
1924, when all the Western States were
not examined by the engineers, and re-
ported on. | would prefer the amend
nent of the gentleman from Virginia,
Mr.. SUMMERS. 1t is in the following
words:
"a suitable site on the Western waters for the
establishment of a National Armory, a sum not
exceeding SIS 900; and the President of the u. ).
is hereby authorized to cause such selection to be
made, and to communicate all the proceedings
which may be had herein to the Congress of the
United States, to be subject to Its approval."'
Yet, if this amendment cannot succeed,
| would still vote for the measure. Even
if it should be selected at Pittsburg,
would prefer that selection, than to have
no armory in the Western country. We
cannot regard the West, in time to come
az a section of the Union. In few
years, the mass Of the people, the strength
power, and energies of the Government
will be west Of the Allegheny, and cas-
of the Rocky mountains. The centre o
, the population, wealth, business, and ell
, terprise OF the people Of the Uni,e'
. States will he on tho Mississippi an,