The Northern galaxy, and Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1843-1844, 1843-12-13


have since become greatly ameliorated,
: and that there is good reason to hope
that the country is safely and rapidly E.
merging from the difficulties and embar>
easements which every where surrounded
it in 1S4I, yet cannot but think that
its restoration to sound and healthy con-
dition would be greatly expedited by re-
sort to the expedient in modified form.
The operations of the Treasury now
rest on the actof 1776, and the resolu-
resolution of 1916, and those laws have
been so administered as to produce as
great a quantum to the good of the coun-
, try as their provisions are capable OF yield
| ing. II there had been any distinct ex-
preston of opinion going to show that
, public sentiment is averse to the plan
, either as heretofore recommended to Con-
, gress, or in modified form, while my
: own opinion in regard to it would remain
unchanged, l should be very far from a.
gain presenting it to your consideration.
The Government has originated with the
States and the people, for their own bene-
fit and advantage; and it would be sub
yersive of the foundation principles of the
political edifice which they have reared to
: persevere in measure which in their ma
ture judgments, they had repudiated or
condemned. The will ofour constituents,
clearly expressed, should be regarded as
the light to guide our footsteps; the true
: difference between monarchial or aristo-
, cratical government and a republic being,
r that in the first the will Of The few prevails
, over the will of the many, while in the
last many should be alone consulted.
: The report ofthe Secretary of War will
bring you acquainted with the condition
! of that important branch Of the public
service. The Army may be regarded,
in consequence Of the small number of
the rank and file in each company and
regiment, as little more than nucleus
around which to rally the military force
of the country in case Of war, and yet its
services in preserving the peace of the
frontier are of a most important nature.
In all cases of emergency, the reliance
ofthe country is properly placed in the
militia Of the several States, and 1t may
well deserve the consideration Of Con-
gress, whether new and more perfect or
, ganization might not be introduced, look
ing mainly to the volunteer companies Of
the Union for the present, and of easy ap-
: plication to the great body ofthe militia
in time Of war.
The expenditures Of the War Depart
ment have been considerably reduce in
the last two years; contingencies, how
ever, way arise, which would call for the
filling up OF the regiments with full COM
plement of men, and make it very desira-
BILE to remount the Corps Of Dragons,
which by an act of the last Congress was
directed TO be dissolved.
| refer you to the accompanying report OF
the Secretary for information in relation
to the Navy of the United States.
While every effort has been and will
continue to be made to retrench all the
superhuiiies and lop off all excrescencs
: which from time to time may have
grown up, yet it has been regarded as
wise or prudent 10 recommend any ma
terial change in annual appropriations.
The interests which are involved are OF
too important a character to lead to the
recommendation of any other than lib
eral policy. Adequate appropriations
ought to be made TO enable the Execu-
tive to fit out all the ships that are now
in course Of building, or that require
repairs, for active service in the shortest
possible time, should any emergency a.
rise which may require it. An efficient
Navy, while it is the cheapest means Of
public defence, in its support the feelings
of pride and confidence which brilliant
deeds and heroic valor have heretofore
served to strengthen and confirm.
l refer you particularly to that portion
of the Secretary's report which has ref
erence to recent experiments IN the ap-
, plication of steam and IN the construc-
ton of war steamers, made under the
superintendent of distinguished officers
of the navy In addition to other mani
fest improvements in the construction OF
the steam engine and application of the
motive power which has rendered them
m,Te appropriate to the uses OF ships OF
war. one of those officers has brought IN
F to use a power which makes the steam
ship more formidable either for attack or
defence. | cannot too strongly recon-
mend this subject to your consideration,
and do not hesitate to express my entire
conviction of its great Importance.
/ call your particular also to that por-
ton of the Secretary's report which has
reference to the act of the late session of
Congress which prohibited the transfer
of any balance ofapproPriation TO that for