The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1843-12-22


responsibilities attached 10 the station
which occupy, and in redemption of a
pledge given to the las, congress at the
close of lis first session, | submitted the
suggestion TO lis cosiderati0n a, two cOnse-
cullve sessions. The recommendation,
however, met with no favor AT is hands.
While am free to admit, that the neces-
sites Of the times have since become
greatly ameloraed, and that there is
good reason to hope that the country is
safely and rapidly emerging from the diff
iiculues and enbarrasSment5 which every
where surrounded 1t in 1871, yet cannot
but think that its restoration 10 q sound
aud healthy condition would be greatly ex-
pedIled by resort 10 the expedicnl in
modified form.
The operations Of the treasury now rest
on tho act Of 1889, and the resolution Of
1916, and those laws have been SO adj
mnis,cred as to produce as great a quaint
um of good to the country as their provi-
sions are capable Of yielding. If there
had been any distinct expression Of opn-
ION going to show that public sentiment
IS avcrsc to the plaza either as heretofore
recommended to congress, or in modified
form, while my own opinion in regard to
It would remain unchanged, should be
very TAR from again presenting il to your
consideration. The government has or.
Iglnaied with the states and the people,
for their own benefit and advantage and
II would be subyersvc Of the foundation
principle of the political cdiice which
they have reared, to perseyerc in a meas
IRE which in their mature Judgements,
they had either repudiated or condemn
ed. The will Of our constituents, clear.
ly expressed should be regarded as The
Ugh! to guide our footsteps the true dif-
ference between mOnarchcal or aristU-
craIcaI government and a republic being,
that IN the first the will of the few pre-
walls over ,he will of the many, while in
the last the viii Of The many shoall alone
be consulted
The report of the secretary of war will
bring you acquainted with the condition of
'hat important branch Of the public ser
vice. The army may he regarded in
consequence of the small number Of the
rank and field in each company and regi-
mcnt, as little more than nucleus around
which TO rally the military force OF the
country in case Of war; and yet its SER
vice IN preserving the peace Of the front
lers are Of most important nature. In
all cases Of emergency, the reliance of
the country is properly placed in the mi.
Illa ol the several states, and it may well
deserve the consideration of congress,
whether a new and more perfect organiza-
ton might not be introduced, looking
mainly To the volunteer companies Of the
Union for the present, and Of easy appli.
cation to the great body Of the militia in
time of war.
The expenditures of the war department
have been considerably reduced in the las,
two years contingencies, however, may
arise, which would call for the filling up
Of the regiments with full complement
Of men, and make very desirable to re-
mount 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
10 the navy of the United States. While
every cllor, has been and will continue to
DO made 10 retrench all supernuilics and
op of all eXcrescences which from lime
to time may have grown up, yet it has
not been regarded as wise or prudent
To recommend any material change in
annual appropriations. The interests
which are involved arc Of too important
a character to lead to the recommendation
Of any other than a liberal poIcy.-Ado.
qua,c appropriations ought to be made to
enable the executive 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 arise which may require it.
An efficient navy, while i! is the cheapest
means Of! public defence, enlsts in lis
support the feelings of pride and conf.
denco which brilliant deeds and heroic
valor have heretofore served to strength.
en- and confirm.
! refer you particularly to that part OF
the sccretary's report which has reference
to recent experiments in the application
of steam and in the construction of war
steamers, and under the superintendent
of distinguished officers of the navy. In
addition to other manifest improvements
in the construction of the steam engine
and application of the motive power,