The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-05-30
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 as no measures
had been taken 10 provide for additional revenue
authority should be given for additional expenditures
This would be principle of undoubted propriety if
all proper had been taken to raise such re-
venue as the resources Of the country might well
admit, and If it then found that the appro-
Iiations asked for by the Navy Department could not
be met.
II the honorable members of the House who voted
for this extraordinary curtament have been nfuenc
ca thereto by conscientious motives of duty they will
he inwardly fortified against any expressions of dsap-
probation which their unex pected course may call
iof'h, NOR In such cLse, would we be disposed TO
give utterance to any. The right to such indepen-
deht action, upon such a principle, would award
70 o'hefs as promptly as We would claim il for our
SELVES II, however, the action of the House has
proceeded from desire TO embaTrass the admnstra-
tlon or from unwilngness 10 cooperate with the
Executive IN measures suggested by it, without
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 il.
ltIs true enough that no provision has been made
Tor extraordinary expenditures for the Navy, for
any other branch of the public seryice-not for
TIE 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
has not yet been called up for the consider alton OF the
House.
Unless public sentiment has been greatly misrepre-
scented, an enlargement Of the Navy is much desired
by the people of the United States. A new adjust
nent OF the tariff is much desired also. II 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 can il be taken 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 meansi If
the read justment of the tariff thing beyond
the power of Congress- there would then be an evil
dent proprety in refusing all appropriations for
which money was not already provided from existing
sources of revenue. But the neglect of one duty
afford no excuse for the ron-performance of another,
although it may cause it.
If 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 disap
pointment and under sense of the injustice with
which they will have been treated by their country,
It will be difficult for them to nfuse into their active
duties that ardent buoyant spirit which anmates the
bosoms of men who feel that they serving coun-
try that will not be unmndful Of them Instability
or inconsistency the part Of the Government in
matter like this where the feelings and interests of
whole corps are concerned, is serious evil, the eff
fleets of which extend far forward; and the conse-
quences Of mistake it will be difficult to remedy