The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-12-20
voonsFIELD OHIO FRIDAY DECEMBER

tribes have already made great progress IN the arts
of civilized life; and through the operation of the
schools established among them, aided by the ef-
forts of the pious men Of various religious denomi-
nations devote themselves to their improve
ment-we may fondly hope that the remains of
the formidable tribes which were once masters of
this country WILL in their transition from the say-
age state, 20 condition OF refinement and cultiva
tion add another bright trophy to adorn the labors
of weil-directed philanthropy.
The accompanying report of the Secretary Of the
branch of the service The present organization of
the Department, imparts to its .ations great ef
fciency; but concur fully in the p-oprety of
division of the Bureau of ConsaGction, Equipment
and repairs, into two Bureauz. The sabects, as
now arranged, are incongruous, and reqaiie to a
certain extent, information and qualifications al
together dissmilar.
The operations of the squadron on the coast of
Africa have been conducted with all due attention
to the object which led to It's organizaton and am
happy to say that tire officers and crews have en-
joyed the best possible health, under the system
dopted by the officer in command 1t is believed
the United States is the only nation which has, by
its laws, subjected to the punishment of death, as
pirates, those who may be engaged in the slave
trade. A similar enactment on the part of other
nations would not fail to be attended with benefi-
cial results
In consequence of the difficulties which have ex-
listed in the way OF securing titles for the necessary
grounds, operations have not been commenced to-
wards the establishment of the Navy Yard at Mem
phis So soon as the title is perfected, no further
delay will be permitted to intervene 1t is well
worthy of your consideration; whether Congress
should not direct the establishment of rope walk,
in connection with the contemplated Navy Yard,
as measure not only of economy, but as highly
useful and necessary. The only establishment OF
the sort now connected with the service is located
at Boston; and the advantages of similar establish
ment, convenient to the hemp growing region,
must be apparent to ALL aw....
The report Of the Secretary presents other mat
ters to your consideration, of an important charac-
ter in connection with the service.
In referring you to the accompanying report of
the Postmaster General, it affords me continued
cause of qualification to be able to advert to the fact
that the affairs of the Department. for the last four
years have been so conducted as, from its unaided
! resources, TO meet its large expenditures. On my
coming into office debt of nearly $500 900 exist
ed against the Department, which Congress dis
charged by an appropriation from the Treasury
| The Department, on the 4th Of March next, will
be found, under the management OF its present eff.
ficient head, free of debt or embarrassment, which
could only have been done by the observance and
practice Of the greatest vigilance and economy
The laws have contemplated, throughout, that the
Department should be self-sustaincd but it may be-
come necessary, with the wisest regard to the pub
lie interests, to introduce amendments and aItera-
tons in the system. There is strong desire man.
ifesed in many quarters, so to alter the tariff of
letter postage, as to reduce the amount of tax at
present imposed Should such measure be car
red into effect to the full extent desired it cannot
be doubted but that for the first year of its opera
ton, diminished revenue would be collected the
supply of which -7ould necessarily constitute
charge upon the Treasury. Whether such result
would be desirable it will be fer Congress, in its
wisdom, 10 determine. 1t may IN general be asse.-
ted that radical alterations in any system should
rather be brought about gradually, than by sudden
changes; and by pursuing this prudent policy in the
reduction of letter postage, the Department might
still sustain itself through the revenue which might
accrue by the increase of letters. The state and
condition Of the public Treasury has, heretofore,
been Cuch IS to have precluded the recommenda-
ton of any material change. The difficulties upon
this head have, however, ceased, and larger dis
cretion is now left to the Government.
Icannot too strongly urge the policy of author
zing the establishment of line of steamships reg
ularly to ply between this country and foreign
pors, and upon our own waters, for the ransporta-
ton Of mail. The example Of the British Govern
nent is well worthy of imitation in this respect
The belief is strongly entertained that the emolu-
mems arising from the transportation of mail mat
ter to foreign countries, would operate of itself
an nducement TO cause individual enterprise to un-
dertake that branch of the task and the remunera-
ton Of the Government would consist in the addi-
ton readily made to our steam navy, In case of
emergency, by the ships so employed. Should
this suggestion meet your approval, the propriety
of placing such ships under the command of expe-
rienced officers Of the navy, will not escape your
observation. The application of steam to the pur-
poses of naval warfare, cogently recommends an
extensive steam marine as important in estimating
the defences of the country. Fortunately, this may
be attained by us, to great extent without incur
ring any large amount of expenditures Steam
vessels to be engaged in the transportation of the
mails on our principal water courses, lakes, and
parts of our coast, could also be so constructed as
to be efficient as war vessels when needed; and
would of themselves, constitute formidable force,
in order to repel attacks from abroad We can
not be blind to the fact, that other nations have al
ready added large numbers of steamships to their
naval ornaments; and that this new and powerful