The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-06-08
From the .Neio York Standard
REDUCTION OF THE NAVY AND ARMY

No little excitement pervades the principal cities
of our country at the determination evnced by the
representatives Of { people at Washington, to
greatly reduce the Navy and Army establishments,
and to render both insufficient for the purposes of
protection, for which they designed. In regard
to the Navy it may Justly be said to have long been
the avorite OF the natlon and Of the people of all par
ties, as the most efficient arm OF our defence Small
in its beginning but perfect, almost, in ie early
ganizatvn--and powerful for vengeance against the
toeit Tough. II way to fame, and crowned by unla-
ding laurels, it arose to height of honor, useful
ness and strength, such has seldom in so short
a time, been witnessed IN any country. Its gra-
dual increase and almost continual enlargement,
has been the work Of both political parties and of
every administration, for more than q score of
years And, although we have no foreign wars to
require its rapid increase, or any very great aug
mentation Of the numbers Of our national ships at
any one time, yet its present size not only, but its
gradual extension is absolutely necessary for pur-
poses of adequate protection TO wide spread
and expanded commerce, which whlens every
sea and ocean, and uhfurls the flag Of mer-
camille marine in almost every part of the globe.
This commerce is the principal basis of our revenue
and also, IN great measure, OF our wealth and is
therefore, entitled TO protection against all and every
power that shall dare modest or assault Besides,
other nations rapidly increasing their naval ar
maments, particularly by means of steamers
and, although we have no ambition to compete with
them in the number of ships we build, yet our COM
merce, being second to that of only nation on the
globe, we should, at least, have a Navy somewhat
proportionate to its extent, for its more ample and
complete protection. Besides, peace may not always
continue and war, at an unexpected moment may
| illuminate its thunders in our ears-when, If we IN
tend TO protect our commerce from capture, our CT
ties from destruction, and our territories from nva-
sion, shall need Navy to do it, and one already
built and in commission ready at any MON, mt to
meet and rcpe the aggressons of the foe II this
be not the case--lt our sps OF war be dsmantled-
and our gallant officers and scattered the
wide face of the world, engaged in other pursuits
we may look for timely assistance in vain from this
potential arm of our national defence. Our vessels
may DC captured-our harbors invaded-some of our
cities reduced to ashes and immense loss and injury
inflicted upon the property OF our people, before we
could rally sufficient force to repel the aggression
A Navy could not be hastily got ready to meet so
great emergency and no enemy could be found
sufficiently chv lrous and generous to wait until we
could arm naval force sufficient 10 contend with
them in fair and equal fight. Let Us then keep
naval arm sror q and vigorous, and powerful. Let
no sentiment OF sicky economy induce the lawgivers
Of the land to cripple mos import mt mean of de-
fence and leave us prey to the ambition, avarice
the hatred or cupdty, of any foreign power that may
choose to institute OF plumber reprisa against
us, because Of our unprotected condition. The Ea-
Their of his Country admonished US I" in tine of peace
prepare for war and that lesson OF wisdom, that
tory voice, should not be disregarded The nation
generally responds to this sentiment and eres out
with one voice. spare on spare tns nonored arm OF
our defence Let no hasty legislation knock this prop
of our strength away twas raised in glory; let not
that glory be eauselessly ta3nshed.
In relation to the Army, we have few words only
to say The present small force of $1,000 men
long since decreed to be necessary as a permanent
peace stablshment-to garrison numerous forts
on the sea-board and for the protection OF our
tended western border. The frontier posts must be
preserved in their strength, or the numerous and pow
eru hoides of savages that hover along the long line
of our occidental domain will deluge the land
with blood and light it with the fires of our peoples
dwellings Slaughter and raplne would soun rush
abroad amongst our border settlements if our small
though efficient force simultaneously,
'The furies stalk where once the muses. stray'd."
scattered along 5000 miles of eastern and western
more than the most mperious necessity requires I
Can our extensive country be protected with less !;
And is it not possible, nay highly probable, that the
force we now have will all be wanted for service
the lapse of many years, or perhaps months 1t is
not more than sufficient to garrison our forts and
guard our frontiers, and can never become dangerous
to the liberties Of the citizens If once destroyed
long time will be required TO rsgather it, owing to
the pacific spirit of our people, and the difficulty of
enlistments And meantime, our fortified places,
for want of garrsons to man. and tenants to protect
them would sink into decay, and the tens of millions
expended in their erection, be thrown away. Away,
then with false and deceitful economy, that would
disarm the nation and hand over unprotected and
unarmed, to the tender merces of a savage, or
foreign foe Wisdom forbids it--justce to our peo-
pie and humanity forbid it.