Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1843-12-23


3 and rapidly emerging from the difficullie.
> and embarrassments which every where
I surrounded it in ls4l, yet cannot bu,
think that its restoration TO a sound and
healthy condition would be greatly ex-
r Pedited by resort to the expedient in a
: modified form.
The operations Of the Treasury now
rest in the act Of 1889, and the resolu-
ton of 1916, and those laws have been
50 administered as TO produce as great a
quantum Of good TO the country as their
provisions are capable Of yielding. If
mere had been any distinct expression of
opinion going TO show that public senti
ment is averse TO the plan either as here
toiore recommended to Congress, or in
a modified form, while my own opinion
IN regard to it remain unchanged,
should be very far from again present.
ing 1t to your consideration. The Gov
eminent has originated with the States
and The people, for their own benefit and
advantage; and it would be subversve
ol the fundamental principles of the pc.
litical edltice which they have reared,
10 persevere in measure which in their
eature judgments, they had either repu.
dated or condemned. The will Of our
constituents, clearly expressed, should
be regarded as the light to guide our
footsteps; the true difference between
monarchlal or arstocratical government
ana republic being, that in the first
inc wiIl 0? the few prevails over the
VIII oil the many, while in the last, the
VIII O! the many should be alone con
suited.
The report Of the Secretary Of War,
wlil bring you acquainted with the con
alton Of that important branch of the
pubic service The Army may be re
gafoed, in consequence Of tho small
number Of the rank and file in each
company and Regiment, MS little more
man nucleus around which TO rally the
military force Of The country in case of
war, and yet its services in preserving
inc peace Of the frontiers are Of most
important nature. In oil cases Of emor-
gency, the reliance Of the country is
properly placed in the militia Of the Sc,
veral States, and it may we'll deserve the
consideration Of Congress, whether a
new and more perfect organization might
not be introduced, looking mainly TO the
volunteer companies Of the Union for
the present, and Of easy application TO
the great body Of the militia in time Of
war.
The expenditures Of the War Depart
ment have been conside m bly, reduced in
the two last years; contingencies. how. {
ever, may arise, which would call for
the filling up Of the reg imenls with s
full compliment Of men, and make it
very desirable TO remount the Corps of
Dragons, which by an act Of the last
Congress, was directed TO be dissolved.
! refer you 10 the accompanying re-
port of the Secretary for information in
relation 10 the Navy Of the United States.
While every effor, has been and will
continue 10 be made to retrcnch all su.
pertlulles and lop off all excrcscences
which from time to time may have grown
up, yet IT has not been regarded as wiser
or prudent to recommend any material
change in annual appropriations. The
interests which are involved are Of too
important character to lead to the re-
commentator Of any other than lbo.
raj policy. Adequate appropriations
ought to be made, to enable the Execu-
tive to fit out all tho ships III at are now
IN a course of building, or that require
repairs, for active service in tho shortest
possible time, should any emergency
arise which may require it, An efficient
Navy, while it is the cheapest means Of
public defence, enlists in its support the
feelings Of pride and confidence which
brilliant deeds and heroic valor have
heretofore served to strengthen and con.
firm.
| refer you particularly to that part
OF the Secretary's Report which has re.
terence to recent experiments in the ap-
pllcation 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 oil {
the steam engine and application Of the I
motive power, which has rendered them !
more appropriate to the uses of ships of
war, one of those officers has BROUGHT 6
into use power which makes the steam.
ship most formidable either for attack ,
or defence. | cannot too strongly re. c
commend this subject to your considera. a
non, and do not hesitate to express nv t
entire conviction Of its great importa nee. t
call your particular attention also to
hat portion of the Secretary's Repor.
which has reference 10 the act of the Il
asst session of Congress which prohibit. e
I'd the transfer Of any balance of appro. Il
,riation from other heads of appreoria C