The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-01-10
THE NAVY.

THE NAVY.
1t is thought by some that there is a DISPOSE
ton on the part Of portion of the House OF
Representative to cripple the Navy, by an un-
due retrenchment Of the appropriations for that
arm of the public service. we do not believe
there is any such disposition on the part Of any
member Of either branch Of Congress. There
is feeling, unques,ionably, in favor of that de-
partment of the Government being administered
with strict regard to economy; and such an
administration of its affairs is, beyond question,
highly essential TO the prosperity of the Navy
ITSELF We do not wish to be understood as say
ing that the present head of the department has
not so administered its affairs-on the contrary,
we believe he has done much, very much, to
introduce economy and responsibility into the
various bureaus Of that department.
The Navy has cost the nation great deal Of
money to build itup, and it has rendered services
equivalent to all the expenditure made upon it.
The character Of the whole country has been
elevated by its heroism and prowess in the last
war--a war which, we have no doubt, would
have been protracted 10 a duration as long as
that of the War Of Independence, had it not
been for the triumphs of the American over the
British navy.
The naval service is one of great hardship.
Those engaged in it, officers and seamen, are
obliged to obey the behes,s of superior author
ity, and to follow their ships into whatever
quarter Of the globe they are ordered. No mat
ter how unhealthy the climate, how pestiferous
the shores upon which they are to cruise, dis
cipline requires orders TO be obeyed at the sacri-
fee of life itself The discipline Of the Ameri-
can Navy, also, is superior to that of any other
navy; its iron and infiexible severity bends the
most stubborn spirit to its despotic rule. Owing
to this discipline. the American Navy is always
effective, and ready, at any time, for war SER
vice. We have no apprehensions but that it
will, at all times, sustain its established charac-
ter, and prove its efficiency as protector of the
commerce and coasts of the country, no matter
how sudden the call, or how formidable the
array opposed to it. s R
We should suppose that the desolation which
the Navy prevenls-its promp,itude and capabi-
lity Of resisting invasion, and preventing the de-
barking of hostile force upon our Shores would
render it popular among the people of the West
and their representatives. With weak navy,
the cities and towns on the Atlantic coast are
exposed to the worst ravages Of war, to which
they have no rampant 10 oppose but their own
breasts, and rude and illy-disciplined militia
Sympathy for the condition of their fellow citi-
zens on the Atlantic ought of itself to influence
the people Of the West to keep the Navy strong
and in good condition, as well as the fact, that
they will thus secure their own homes and fire.
sides from the scourges of foreign invasion. We
hope that the time is not yet come, when the
West can look upon the East as stranger fra
ternity, or SO reckless to its interests as to leave
it naked and exposed, and without the means Of
driving hostile squadrons from its coasts and
bays.