Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1843-02-13
DEBATE ON THE NAVY APPROPRIATION BILL
Horsr OF REPRESENTATIVES. Feb. :, 4s.


HoUsE REPRESENTATIVES, Feb. :, 40
Mr.. MARK \. COOPER among number of COM
pcttor) obtained the floor and observed that although
he did 90 into the particular merits Of the IN.
dyidua reduction proposed the subject had bearings
the general condition and prospects both Of the Govern.
and the country which would make the remarks he
wished submit very appropriate and strictly proper and
he could better introduce them tan by reminding the
House that he had voted 20 postpone this bill for the purpose
Of considering another which directly to the
subject on which he should speak. Ma man who loved his
country and either contemplated ITS present condition.
cast his eye forward 10 the prospect presented by the future
could avoid feeling his heart sink within him. Whether he
were Of those denOmnaed the peculiar friends the
present Admins traion whether he belonged TO that
party which seemed destined soon again pow
er hc must feel equal embarrassment and oppression Of
spirit at the contemplation OF that portion Of responsibility
which must be laid al his own door.
Where wel One Of the great political u5rties i'm that
House proposed the Government credit IN the form
OF Bank paper, alleging ha it impossible for the Go
ycrnment To get without such Experiment.. Such
according 10 them, condition that we were driven
by necessity t0 credit, and rely upon that II
seemed that we must either abolish our army
and navy, or rcucnch our expenditures lay direct taxes
resort 10 the national credit carry the Government
one or the other Of these must be taken Now he
desired the Democrats look this state Of things II
was this posture Of affairs that Mr. g. looked al the
reduction proposed, and though approving Of H. consider
cd II a. falling short ter short infinitely short Of securing
tie expected relief, any permanent relief OF ALL
lie would nnw address this question the friends Of the
. "a Id
kocptlp the expenditures OF - Government AT their pre-.
sent standard Was their plan cApond upon an army
navy, aud the civil i-t and diplomatic expenses such
sum ns these were now costing the country II They
did then Joe should take the liberty Of telling them that this
R'pubs could stand without other resources Than II
now had, without the national credit IN some
form or other The question would come, must come. 10
would boz forced upon them. Neither the tariff nor the pub
hc lands would d" and they were unwilling Ia resort d,
direct taxation then they take some such plan of nm
Exchcqucr os had been Advocated by the gentleman from
I NNne rffff.H 60. IT, fH..
United St8tc-.
Mr. G. proposed shortly les, the sense Of the House as
| TO the course % meant On take
Such had ever been bis habits Of thinking such was the
very structure and constitution Of his mind, that be- must
ever be- opposed o any and every form which the Go
ycrumcut credit was 90 BOO used money And o. r could
not get the means II supporting e Government by our
present resources, % renamed tat either abolish
the army and navy, 60 u direct taxation Tea and cof
fec would not de- b. There now an avprlgr auuunl
balance against the Government OF from Gr, 90 seven mil
lions Of doar.. Our debt now was twenty FIVE millions Of
doars undhc feared that years after be- greatly fear
cd that The gentleman from Maryland Mr. VIM. Cost
Johnsou) would ind even Democrats coming over fat
e"Bfat' hl- nousupue project ~ borrowing hundred
ml'ns. The prospect ~t such % result rested boo nn nw
nl manner ON Mr. Cs mnd Ills constituents were utter
" "pp''a TO- any such PROJECT Adopt this scheme, ant
f resource from the public ands would be- forever cut on
~ addupn 10 our forty millions of debt W. should thcr
nave tW' hundred millions more, max nv an ngyregatc o.
t"' hundred and forty millions with al the interest 10 pay
uesu'r "u current ofpruGCs had nu ARE Of five mil
lions, and c interest equal tJ seven millions more ygou,
> De- dead weight Of twelve millions annually How wa
1 wy !" bs met Tho customs would do be-; ,e land
""N9 n"i ~" 90. Where were veto get The money
bid Democrats 90 this House. whe looked forward Will
80 much eSuiaon &, due prospect of power believe thai
we power would prove 90 them bed Of rlses7 Alas
they would fnd fer oherwiac TO 4,prort C,y,,,r,
he our and a. Keep up, bosidcs on army and navy
anu ~ el umos ready Ia cope with the whole power q
reat biian; ready 20 fire the she chose ~ fire; an
besides Inst 10 c'nr out The channels Of al our rivers an
dg open all our harbOr IN prosecute vast system II in
b. ethai Improvements 70 sweep the whole channel Of Oh