The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-12-19
GEN. CASS'S RESOLUTIONS.

CaoS' !" '"O DeHato VII Mohuay last, ana were IN
troduced by mastery patriotic speech from that
gentleman, who was followed by Mr. Mangum
against, and Mr. Allen for, and Mr.. Archer AGAINST
their passage. The debate was not concluded
when the Senate adjourned after the announce
men: of the death of j. HI. Peyton, of Tennessee
The drift of the resolutions show an anxious de-
sire TO be prepared for possible contingency.
which may arise, and to prevent which we should
always be prepared.
ResOlved, That the Commute on Naval Az
fairs be instructed 10 inquire into the condition of
the navy of the United States, and into the quan
uty and condition of the naval supplies now on
hand and whether an increase of them is not ne
cessary TO the efficient operations of the navy, and
to It's preservation and augmentation and, gen.
orally, into its capacity for defending our coast
and our commerce and for any service the exgen.
cies of the country may probably require
ResOlUed, That the Committee on Military af
fairs be instructed TO inquire into the condition of
the national Qualifications and their ornaments.
and whether other defensive works are necessary !:
and into the condition and quantity of the military
supplies and into the state of the means possess
ed by the government for the defence of the coun
try.
Resotued, That the Committee on the Militia
be Instructed to inquire into the present condition
OF that great branch of the public service and into
The state militia laws; and that they be further
instructed TO report such changes in the existing
system as will give more experience and efficien
cy to that arm of Defence and will place it 10 the
best condition for protecting the country, should
1t be exposed TO foreign invasion.
We cannot forego the qualification of giving the
closing paragraphs of Mr.. Cass's remarks on in
Producing the foregoing resolutions:-
." The President has discharged his duty ABLY.
periodically, fearessly. Let US now DISCHARGE
ours-not by words merely but by deeds. The
hest support we can give him is TO respond to his
declarations by our actions. 1t is my firm conyic.
ton, and do not hesitate thus publicly to ayow
1t, that the BEST if not the only hope til at we hal
of avoiding war with England is by exhibiting
public and united determination to prosecute it,
should it come, with all the energies that God has
given us, and by an instant and serious considera-
ton ct the preparations necessary for such often
sTeand defensive measures as may be required and
as prompt an adoption of them as lust regard to
circumstances may demand. Our country is ex-
tensive. In many portions of it the population is
sparse The frontier, both Atlantic and inland.
is long and exposed.
" Our defensive works are unfinished, and some
of them are unfinished. do not know, but
inadequate. Our navy, and especially the steam
portion of it, is not upon a scale commensurate
with our wants, if war is almost upon u.s. That
navy fought itself into favor, and its country into
honor, IN the seemingly unequal and almost des-
perate struggle into which it so CALAMITY went in
the last war. And another contest would find il
equally true TO its duty, and TO the public expec
ialions. trust the time will never again come
when 1t will be question in great crisis, wheth
or the navy shall be dismanted and rot in our
docks. or whether it shall be sent out to gather
another harvest of glory upon the ocean, II is the
material for military and naval operations il is
| first necessary TO procure. Men we have ready
and such is the patriotism inherent in the Ame,i.
can character, that they never will be found want
ing in the hOnr of difficulty and of danger Our
militia requires new and an efficient orpaniza
ton. 1t is reprOach to us that we have suffered
this important branch Of national defence to be.
come so inefficient. 1t has almost disappeare
| from the public view. Both the laws upon this
subject and the administration Of them reooire i'm
mediate and severe examination For this ia ,no
Of the great bulwarks of the country in the honr
| of danger II has shown its patriotism and yalor
upon many bloody field, and the future. if if
should need It's services, will witness its deyotion
| to the country, whenever and wherever, and how
ever 1t may be tried Many Of the supplies re-
qulred for the operations of war, demand time and
care for their collection and preparation and we
must remember that we have to do with people
whose arsenaIs and dOck-yards are filed to reple-
ton whose supplies are upon a scale equal TO any
| probable demand upon them whose gigantic mill
taTy and naval establishments, announce their
power and maintain II and the structure of whose
government is better fitted than ours for prompt
and vigorous and offensive action
" 1t is IN the spirit Of these views that | have
submitted the resolutions before the Senate. and
in which ask their concurrence
"a great responsibility is upon u.s. We shall
best discharge 1t by frmness, and by wise fore
cast, which, while it steadily surveys the danger,
makes adequate provisions to meet it, BY thus
acting, we shall give practical appreciation Of the