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 measures
had been taken to provide for additional revenue
authority should be given for additional expenditures.
This would be princpIe Of undoubted propristy II
all proper had been TAX en- to raise such re-
venue as the resources Of the country might well
admit, and if it were then found that the appro-
prations asked for by the Navy Department could not
be met.
If the honorable members of the House who voted
lot THIS extraordinary curtamen have been influence
ca thereto by conscientious motives of duty, they Will
nwardly fortified against any expressions OF dIsap-
probation which their unexpected course may call
Iofth. Nor In such case, would be disposed 10
give utterance to any. The right to such ndepen-
dent action, upon such principle, we would award
to others, as promptly as would claim it for
selves. II, however, the action of the House has
proceeded from desire 10 embarrass the admnstra-
ton, or from unwilngness to cooperate with the
Executive in measures suggested by it, without re
gard to the real utility Of such suggestions, the dis
appreciation which such wanton pertinacity must pro-
woke, will fall with emphatic weight upon the heads
of those who most deserve it.
1t is true enough that no provision has been made
for extraordinary expenditures for the Navy, or for
any other branch Of the public service-not even for
the ordinary expenses of the Government. Who Is
to blame for this The Tariff affords the only pro-
per source of revenue-and this important subject
mas not yet been called for the consideration of the
House.
OHicSs puDlic sentiment mas been greatly m1SrcPrc-
scented, an enlargement of the Navy much desired
by the people Of the United States. 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 indispensable to the successful attainment of the
other. But how be 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 REIMBURSEMENT Of the tariff were thing beyond
the power of Congress, there would then be an evil
dent propriety in refusing all appropriations for
which money was not already provided from existing
sources of revenue But the neglect of one duty can
afford no excuse for the ron-performance of another
although it may cause it.
If the course adopted by the House should be con-
firmed 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
will be difficult for them to infuse into their active
duties that ardent buoyant spirit which animates the
bosoms of men who feel that they serving coun-
try that will not be unmndful Of them. Instability
or inconsistency on the part of the Government in
matter like this, where the feelings and interests of
whole corps concerned is serious evil, the eff
fects of which extend far forward and the conse-
quences of mistake it will be difficult to remedy.