The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-06-23
THE ARMY AND NAVY.

We had thought that Congress had left nothing I'M
done which could add its general and increasing I'M
popularity We felt satisfied, that the turning OF our
halls of legislation into caucus for future nomina-
tons and the prostitution OF its functions and powers
to the purpose of assailing coordinate branch Of
the governments with that lamentable absence as well
of talents and attention to duty, of the common de-
cencies of fe-that these would, IN due time meet
with their appropriate reward from honest and well
meaning people In view of this ultimate retrbution,
we summoned our patience to witness continuation
of their vindctlveness and their folly. But we were
not prepared for great exhibition Of insanity, as
their acts in regard TO our Army and Navy have pre-
sented Not twelve months ago. this same Congress
but family reflected the opinions OF the public, IN Ia
yoring large increase and perfect organization OF
both these arms OF national defence Now, at a time
when the question OF peace or war with the most
powerful nation of earth hangs upon the very feeblest
tenure when the slightest motion of foreign minis
ter may pour down upon our defenceless coast a ma
val and military force ready at the word and sufi-
GENTLY powerful to inict upon US all the horrors OF
invasion behold these insane drivellers debe-
ratey determining that the Navy shall be rendered
inoperative BY curtailment from the Navy Appro-
priation Bill of two millions three hundred thousand
dollars; and that the handful which now composes
army, shall be reduced 10 the standard OF twenty
years ago!
There never a time, perhaps, when men cher
lshed pertnaciousy their peculiar views
than they do now, when those opinions more lnt-
mately Intervene themselves with every question OF
pubic pOHcy. Dul can any Nldu slut Ills eyco uPol
the fragrant disregard of national safety and national
honor, and upon the trifng with our national
exstencs, with which this step is pregnant Should
the result of our negotiations be unsuccessful, war
wi be the result. If war should follow the Pres-
dents assertion Of national rights,--our national
honor-not at his door lie the blame for the con-
sequences of our defenceessness The vile potters in
Congress may find that John Ty will be just and true
to the honor of his country though the heavens should
fall In this case shudder at the prospect of an
invasion of our Southern board, thus left entirely
deenceless and the landing of the barbarous negro
hordes from the West Indies. The handful OF gal
liant that form present military establishment
would form nucleus around which would gather thou
sands upon thousands, to repe the enemy. But il
must 90 by the board; and, without it, the heart
sickens the contemplation OF slaughter, rapne, and
Instruction which would follow the footsteps of
the invader ere resistance could become efectual.
We assert, without fear of contradiction, that no
one Congress which has existed under the present
Constitution, ever terminated its career with such
damnng weight of unpopularity resting upon its
shoulders, as will the present. Born as it was amid
general reoicings it will expire with the eNecrations
of nation ringing in its ears. 1t will fill page in
our national history, which the lover of his country
and the admirer Of its institutions would fam see
blotted out forever while the actors who occupied
the stage will reap the just reward of folly, menda.
city and wickedness. By posterity they will be
forgotten fools, or remembered as WORSE
". o. Morning .4dpertiser.