Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1842-06-09
Ct The United States Gazette.
WAsuINcToN, NAV 81, 1912.

WASHINGTON, May 81, 1912.
There seems to be much diversity of
opinion among the people, so far as the
press is an index of that opinion, in re-
gard to the retrenchment made in the Ma
Wy Appropriation Bill and proposed IN the
Army. There is considerable differ
ence of opinion upon the subject among
the members Of Congress, though pref
ty decided majority are in favor OF re-
trenchmeat. Nor are they any less so
from the course which the Secretary Of
the Navy has pursued in arresting all
work at the different Navy Yards, and
dischargng the workmen employed. -.
This course is looked upon by members
as the prompting Of childish petulance
unworthy the dignity of high functional
nv Of the Government. They believe
his object was to raise clamor against
them, among those who would be imme-
diately ana seriously affected by the ces.
sation Of labor, at the yards, and by that
means to coerce Congress to retrace their
steps. IL such were his object he has
taken the wrong means TO accomplish it
for those who voted for the reduction be-
fore, will only be rendered more deter
mined to adhere to their purpose by what
they consider an attempt to intimidato
them or bring popular clamor about their
ears. 1t may be safely remarked that
men acting in the capacity of national
| Legislators should be actuated by no feel.
ing of that kind. True, and it may also
be said that members Of Congress should
be perfect men but they are not, and as
they happen to be men, it is pretty Ger.
tain they will act upon those motives and
feelings which TO a greater or less extent
govern all men similarly circumstances.
They voted, in the first place, according
to the dictates of their judgments and up
on their responsibility to their corstltu'
ents. II in doing so they erred, as they
do not believe, doubtless their minds
would be open TO conviction and il con.
WINGED that they are wrong, or that the
people left to themselves, or only operat-
ed on by fair argument should indicate
their desire that another course should be
pursued, they would without hesitation re-
trace their steps. But they cannot be
driven or cocrced by what they consider
the petulance Of the Secretary.
As to the proposed retrenchments |
think the only question should be, whe
Their there is at this time any necessity for
larger naval establishment, than we had
on the first day of January, l64l, and
whether the army as It stood in 1921,
will be sufficient to take charge of our
coast Qualifications, 10 have small bodies
in the forts on our western border, and
leave small disposable force for any
sudden emergency, as an nsurrecuon, an
outbreak among the Indians, &c. Asto
the idea that the dismissal OF four or five
thousand men from the army, will have q
tendency to invite nsolence or aggres.
sion from foreign nations, ! cannot think
there is much weight in it. Besides, we
are not in the least danger of war, and
should not be If we had not single com.
pany of regular soldiers to rely on. Eng
and knows too well what her interests
ARCTIC enter into war with us. What
should she fight for or what should we ?
The N. E. Boundary question is iE fair
way Of settlement the right Of search is
not claimed; the Creole question a
mounts to nothing; and the Caroline a.
bout ditto.
Our Navy is, believe amply sufficient
at this time for the protection Of our Com
merce at home and abroad, and for max
ing us known, felt and feared, in distant
parts of the world. We have not distant
colonies to protect or overawe, no foreign
fleets to watch, no allies to inlim'date, no
diplomatic system to support, by display
Of force. Ii is said, however, by those
who favor an increase OF the Navy and
Army, "that it was but lately the policy
of the Wings, and it was in accordance
with the wishes Of the people," True,
but on the other hand it is answered, sit
was but lately that we had prospect Of
war with England, and while that exist
ed, it became US as wise people to be
preparing for it, for no one could tell
how soon the storm would break upon
US. Now, the storm has blown over, and
a long continuance of peace is almost GER
TAIN"
Foremost among those who are in ia
vor Of reducing the army and retaining
the navy as it was at the commencement
of lS4l, is Mr.. Adams, whose superior
knowledge of the foreign relations of the
country cannot be questioned, and whom
no one, am sure, will charge with de.
sire to seek popular favor by whatever
course be may feel himself called upon to
pursue in the discharge OF his duty as
member Of Congress. His sagacity as
statesman, and his honesty and integrity,
are alike above question or suspicIon.-
In case Of this kind, were ! a member
of Congress, confess should feel the
more sure Of being following his lead.
But the question is put with great force
by those who go for reduction, "dld not
the Wings pledge themselves to the peo-
pie to retrench the expenses OF govern
ments And was, or was not, this pledge
honestly given, and full determination
to redeem it in good faith ?" 1t is replied
by the other side, that these pledges are
not to be carried out to the detriment Of
public interest That retrenchments are
to be made only where they are necessa-
ry to curtail useless ertrardgam expendl.
lures. This, of course, brings back the
questions ! before suggested, namely
whether there is, in the present state Of
our foreign relations, any necessity for a