The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-03-29
From the Charleston
THE PROBLEM SOLVED

Hitherto it has been matter of some doubt whe
ther principal Southern cities unapproach-
able by steamers of the largest class. That doubt
| is now removed and we have had ocular denonstra-
lion that sand bars and shoal-watcr coast are no
/ longer barrier against the easy and rapid approach
OF the heaviest war steamers that will be employ
I'd by The nasies OF the world, The arrival of the
Clyde, ship of more than 800 tons burden, and
her presence abreast of wharves the very mid
OF our commercial marine puts at lest every question
| connected with the practlcabty OF employing these
steamers in naval war are upon our coast. And yet
| our eyes are not open upon this subject. As i na-
ton, are blind absolutely and pcrversely blind TO
| the course of events in Europe. We shall probably
refuse to open eyes by timely effort, and perhaps
supnely and negnflcantly wall the inevitable
dency of things, until we aroused by the ueiY ,r
expected thunders 81 afrSt attack, Amidst the roar
| of All enenys aIttry-with the lghtnlngs of lbs
fires about ears, and his smoke in our habitatons
| the scales may drop from our eyes and we, folding
our arms, look abroad ast1n he'd that Should have
slept sleep Of seyen-and-twcnly years with ut IS
much as dreaming, in all that time, that others were
awake and plotting mischief against us
! We may, however, conso ourselves with Tie re-
| Election that no "China games can be played in this
hemisphere. Our national somnolency may continue
our cities may be surprised and burned utterly de-
stroyed-and then the game is only just begun AL
though the foes of luxury and extravaganza have.
made most fearful str DIES in the land yet 30 section
has become mpotent by corruption as to tolerate
contribution the easiest method OF deprecatnu or
repeling an enemy. The ransom should pay for
captured city would be cheap to Us in national
point of view-bccause, instead of specie silk or tea
1t would be composed OF good "blood, thunder ana
steel the bodest and bravest of foes can ever
ask
1t is the dictate of common prudence, no, less than
OF sound national wisdom, that we, in the language
OF ou great w ashngton, should Sin peace prepare Tor
wal" But this excellent admoni,ion seems now to
he regarded by our statesmen maxim u be uscd in
Ornamental and tancitul, her than ia pracuca
sense-Nnd as mere rhetorical ,urish," rather than
in good suber earnest
With discreet administration of our affairs at
Washington, we should never for moment be- cit
unprepared for vigorous resistance at any Of the
numerous points OF access on our seaboard. Nopclty
Indian war-nolhing connected with our domestic
policy should be permitted TO JUS fy the evaclla
ton of our principal forts. Come what may--at ali
times and under all circumstances resp ctabe garri-
sons should be maintained upon Atlantic and he
Northern and Western frontier Ii ii becomes Icaliv
necessary to remove the troops from the halb6r o Il
itch commercial mart, the forts should be instantly
placed IN the hands OF the naval authorities Thra-
maments of a fort and of ship very snillar
that n naval officer would ever f el the slightest avn
Wardness IN exercising the duties of transfer In
fact, of the aElos font deenccs recorded in hl.
tory, made Ivy sailors and marines under The i-
rcction of their respective officers
The dilapidattd and miserable condition of our har-
Dor deences, along the whole of our Atlantic line
has been truly lamenable for many wears past and u
deep rcproach to the Government. While factions
have been busy in distributing and squanderng a re.
dundunt Treasury rand while frivolous aspirants "a
notorlcty have irIltcred away, the time and money Of
The nation, our principal seaports have been Iot an
most totally decnccless. Within year or two rlast
the cAtrao binary spectacle has been witnessed Ia tic
emporium OF American commerce. OF total inability
to return salute OF courtesy due TO the hag Of No.
reign wan oi-Har Ought such things 10 hc ia 4,
country like ours-pr do we tcic,c IN the doQsun
that human iatuto is changed, and thai men ire
iariug to reverse he maxGn of might against ri-it
The times potlont3us ami The apparent calm
at this mon Is pregnant wih he evils of which, all
history aJmoushes To be watchtu Dangcsor dill
cuncs OF any KIND when anticipated and provided
Tor otr rcadily controlled and surnouncd, II not
wholly lcP,'cd
COPENIIAGE%