The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-03-29
From The ST. Louis Bulletin, March l6.
OUR COUNTRY'S DEFENCE.

The Western Missourian, published at Indepen-
dence, and Democratic paper, after recounting the
instances of British aggression and insult holds the
following patriotic language in reference to the
cessity of providing for the defence of the country
"Yet our Government is not prepared for acar-
England knocs this, and therefore she is the in
suiting The Government ia in debt--the States,
many of them, deeply nvolved-our Western from
tier is 1choHy unprotected-our seacodst is by no
means in efficient state Of defence. AHthese facts
are kno1cn to England. But resources iner-
hausable and in short time, notwithstanding these
disadvantages, maritime coast could be fortified
and frontiers put in complete state of defence.
7" But we think it is high time that our rulers
should be doing something to redeem the wounded
honor of our beloved country! Let them demand
Justice from England and if she refuses to award it,
let them take proper to enforce it. Instead
Qfsgudndering and giving a,cay the public money
let them appropriate IL to placing the country in a
state Of defence equal to any emergency IN time Of
PEACE prepare for WAR, was the motto of the father
of his country, the immortal Washington, and this
motto is peculiarly applicable the present time
We still hope that Congress will do something in the
way of preparation.
''What the result will be of the Special Minister'S
visit to the United States, we cannot tell, but we
hope it will have the effect of settling the questions
at issue between the two countries, one way or the
other-PEAcEABLY, if possible, but FoRclBLY if such
course is rendered NECESSARY"
cit is time our rulers should be doing something -
Most certainly it is and if Congress would look, for
one short month to the good of the country, and aban
don its schemes Of President manufacturing for that
period all the laws necessary and proper to protect
the country could be matured and adopted-the
finance scheme could be perfected and put in opera
ton and the whole country would realise some ben
eft from Congressional legislation. Our navy ought
to be largely increased to the number of vessels
and improved as to the kind class. Steam vessels
of war are indispensable to enable us to cope with
England on olon coast.
If we are not greatly mistaken, England has now
more steam resse than the United States have of all
kinds and sizes Of vessels of war England has eight
times the naval force of the United States! Shame
on the parsmony the stupidity, the want of patriot
ism, Cor whatever else s) which prevents Congress
from placing the country, and the whole country in
a proper state of defence Ask the people what they
would have Congress do in the present emergency,
and what is their answer 1t is this Protect the
country at every point. Settle the question of the
currency and give something to equalise exchanges
Law such tariff of duties as will throw the balance
of trade in favor by diminishing the consumption
of foreign fabrics and increasing that of American
goods. Make us independent of foreign nations
These are the demands of the people Will our Pre-
sident manufacturers heed them'
Gentlemen Congressman the people did not elect
you shape your legislation with single eye to the
prospects of Presidential asprants!