Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-06-04
RICHMOND WING.
SATURDAY MORNING. JUNE a.
RETRENCHMENT.

In the vastefGl and eNtravsgant Administration
OF John q. Adams, the amour, expended by the
General Government was $4,000, 600 per annum,
something like s OF which were consumed in the
support, sc. OF the Army and Navy-5 paying all
the other expenses, including a very large sum for
Revolutionary Pensioners, mos, Of whom have gone
TO their reward in another and better world.
We would not lie considered as inimic,l to the
Army or Navy; but 1t is our settled purpose to
exert all the little influence we possess, to bring
back the Government as far rs it is now possible to
effect such purpose to its original simplicity and
economy. Eight millions were deemed amply suf-
hclent Is years ago, for the maintenance of both
Army and Navy-now, the Executive estimates
require more than double that amount. Where
fore is larger Army necessary now than then
Is it that it has performed such efficient ser
vice in our Indian war, that men have be-
come in love with deeds Of orms' BY no means.
For bribery has been much more efficient than
bullets in that noted conflict, and should have
been freely resotted to at iirst;-had it been, 1t
would have saved many millions Of dollars; many
valuable lives, and no inconsderabls cnagrin and
modification to the American People, including
the gallant army itself, whose want of success was
entirely attributable to beyond its control.
We want army, say some, TO fortih-
cations 10 keep them from tumbling to pieces. For
uhcStions he'd better tumble than hberiy-the one
may nc rebuilt-the other, when once lost is gone
for ages, ii not forever 1t is not that any man
fears our army or navy, but abuses gradually in
crease, without being observed, until they become
50 great from their number, and strong from the
union of the many that interested in their con-
tnuance, that It is difficult to remove them. Is
this now eNemplhed IN the OF The army and
navy, and the action CT Congress on the subject As
soon the Lower House passed. their Bill, cutting
down MIR Secretary Upshur's estimates some mil
lion or So up rose in every place interested in naval
expenditures hos, OF compliments against the par
simony and meanness OF thi, Wing Congressional
the nation was N daily danger of foreign wars-thai
she had unadiusied differences with almost oil the
powers OF the world, and i, madness to attempt
re,renehment now. So will /, ever be when Public
money has been once wasted; attempt to stop the
leaks and you will always have a pack at your
heels Of TIE greedy recipients OF treasury pap, who
are opposed TO any and oil measures tina, cut off
their connection with the public crib.
On all hands we hear nstonishment expressed at
the SIZE Of the Army, and the cos, Of both Army
and Navy, when compared to the times Of the
younger Adams-n that astonishment of the PEG.
pie, Congress seemed to unite, for 1t came on them
as Unexpectedly as on the mass of the people
ihemseyes-for so gradual had the increase been,
that butfew knew or felt it. Forts, Armed Fleets,
acd Standing Armies, are all f. engines with which
to keep enslaved People in bondage. and are
well adapted TO the Monarches of the Old world: but
they are as inimical to freedom now as they have
always been, and should at all times be viewed
with jealousy by free and republican people.
So q, least thought our sres, who knew, by long
and severe experience, how difficult it was for free
dom to unfur her banner and keep it floating on the
breeze, when opposed by hired soldiery; so too
thought tie RePd tleaa fathers OF glorious Con-
sIituton, and thinking, acted wisely, in dissemi-
mating distrust, OF Standing Armies and Navies,
through all classes Of the People. How sadly
have The times changed; OPPOSITION 10 the IN
crease Of the Army and Navy was q cardinal prin-
ciile IN the Republican creed-now we find one Of
the se.istyled priests Of the Temple OF Democracy,
a. one dash ask Tor an Army OF $4,000. More anon.