The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-05-31

From the Baltimore American.
THE NAVY.

The recent action of The House of Representatives
in reference to the Navy appropriations, proceeded
we presume, upon the principle that a. no measures
had been taken to provide for additional revenue, no
authority should be given for additional expenditures
This would be principle of undoubted propriety IL
all proper had been taken to raise such
venue as the resources Of tho country might we'll
admit, and if it were then found that the appro-
pratons asked for by the Navy Department could not
be met.
Ii the honorable members of the House who voted
ior this extraordinary curtament have been nhuenc-
ca thereto by conscientious motives of duty, they will
nwafoly fortified against any expressions Of disaP
probation which their unexpected course may call
'ofth NOR, In such case, would we be disposed to
give utterance to any. The right to such indepen-
dent action, upon such principle, we would award
to others, rs promptly as we would claim it for
selves. 1t, however, the action of the House has
proceeded from desire TO embarrass the administra-
ton, or from unwillingness to cooperate with the
Executive in measures suggested by it, without
gard to the real utility Of such suggestions the dis
appreciation which such wanton pertnaciy must pro-
woke, will fall with emphatic weight upon the heads
Of those who most deserve it.
II is true enough that no provision has been made
tor extraordinary expeEd tures for the Navy, or for
any other branch Of the public service-not even for
the ordinary expenses of the Government. Who 10
to blame for this The Tariff affords the only pro-
per source of revenue-and this important subject
has not yet been called up for the consideration of the
House
Unless public sentiment has been greatly misrcpre
sented, an enlargement of the Navy is much desired
by the people Of the United States A new adjust
ment of the tariff is much desired also. 1t is for the
House to take the lead in both measures and the lat
ter is indispensable to the successful attainment Of the
other. But how he taken as a satisfactory
son for denying the Navy appropriations to say that
no means have been provided to meet them, when it
is the duty OF the House to provide the means' If
the re-adjustment Of the tariff were thing beyond
the power of Congress, there would then be evil
dent propriety in refusing all appropriations for
which money not already provided from existing
sources OF revenue But the neglect of one duty
afford no excuse for the ronperformance of another
although it may cause it.
II the course adopted by the House should be con-
irmed by the Senate, the Navy will suffer injury far
beyond the temporary inconvenience of inadequate
provision for the year. The officers recently appoint
ed-all junior officers in fact-will find themselves
virtually cut off from any prospect Of promotion for
many years the expectations and hopes with which
they entered the service will undergo cruel dsap
pointment; and under sense of the injustice with
which they will have been treated by their country
It will be difficult for them to infuse into their active
duties that ardent, buoyant spirit which anmates the
bosoms of men who feel that they are serving
try that will not be unmindful of them. Instability
or inconsistency on the part of the Government in
matter like this where the feelings and interests of
whole corps are concerned is serious evil, the eff
fects of which extend far forward; and the conse-
quences OF mistake it will be difficult to remedy