The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-03-12

Europe Did he take into account the prOtec-
ton of the Gulf of Mexico, the key to the
Mississippi valley, and the naval depots render
ed necessary by such measured Did he bear
in mind the proposed increase of our naval
force, deemed at the present juncture indispen-
sable, when he made his estimates and managed
to hope for reduction of million and halt,
which same reduction might endanger the loss
of twenty times the sum? AS for ourselves,
we have great confidence in the integrity and
intelligence not only of the present Secretary OF
the Navy but of every member of the present
Administration, and cannot believe that they
would offer extravagant estimates gratuitously
when they must have known how unpopular
such step was calculated to make them. Nor
can we believe that the Secretary of the Navy,
acting with all the lights he could command,
would be likely to run up an account in behalf
of his department unnecessarily, when by doing
so he would incur the risk of frustrating his own
views in placing the navy on proper footing.
So much for the estimates in question; but
we go further, and say that if the amount de-
manded for the public necessities were twice
$4,000, 900, it should be granted, unless it
can be made to appear that the cost Of the items
furnished is enormously stated. The first ques-
ton to be settled is, do the interests Of the nation
require that the things proposed shall be done
and, that being answered in the affirmative, the Sc
cond is, wmuch will it take to do them thorough
y and well? There has been, of late years,
q fashion Of ascertdining hoD much can be
left undone in order to avoid the charge of pro-
fuseness, and not Of finding out aohat is meces-
Such we believe to have been the policy of Mr.
Van Buren's administration with all of its ex
penditures of nearly forty millions year; and
what has it brought us to? Ships rotting on
the stocks, officers unemployed, Notifications in
state of dapidation, public creditors unpaid,
and the credit of the nation at the lowest posi-
BILE ebb both at home and abroad Is MIC. willing
to see continuance Of things so humiliating to
every true-hearted American and does he wish
to behold the present Administration pressed to
the earth by the results of former misrule and
prodigality? We know him too well to suspect
him for an instant of any such desire and we
trust confidently that his influence will not be
suffered to aid in producing such a result, and,
by so doing, dim the glory he has earned by his
brilliant career of public service.
Before we conclude this article, we would
remark that the sums required for the public
service, if faithfully applied, would be any thing
but burden to the country. We hold that, if
there be legitimate and unobjectionable mode,
on the part of Government, of cherishing home
= -. H. &c
means, and exercise of its powers in giving
employment to the producing classes and draw
ing forth the resources of the country. What
becomes Of the millions paid for the construc-
ton of ships and Notifications, and for the sup
port of the public service? Do they not 60 to
enrich the honest mechanic, the industrious
farmer, and the enterprisng manufacturer, and
thus increase the lax-payng power of the COM
munity? 1t is not as if the money were sent
out of the country to pay for foreign industry or
merchandise, but it is to pour back into the laps of
the people the treasures held by their servants
for their use and benefit. Were these sums to
be expended in supporting armies at distance
from home, or carrying on wars of conquest, 1t
would be different, but there will not be tree
purchased, nail driven, or stone laid, that
will not serve to cherish national industry whilst
it protects national honor.
1t is not our purpose to address ourselves to
partisan feeling, but we appeal TO the patriotism
of the Members of Congress, and their nation
al pride, and ask of them, without distinction of
party, to sustain the Administration in the work
it has so nobly commenced. An honest and
faithful exhibition of the country's necessities
has been made by men who need yield to few,
if any, in ability, and to none in high integrity
and honesty of purpose and it remains for the
National Legislature to say whether we shall
be happy and secure at home and honored
abroad, or become the object of ridicule and
contempt to the nations that eagerly
waiting to witness our ruin.
EXECUTIVE RUPTION-REFORM