Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1845-12-17

original thirteen States that policy must be essential
ly different now that we have grown from three to
more than twenty millions of peope,-that our COM
merce carried in Ships is found in every sea, and
that our territorial boundaries and settlements have
been SO greatly expanded. Neither our commerce,
nor our long line of coast on the ocean and the
lakes, can be successfully defended against foreign
aggression by means of Notifications alone. These
are essential at important commercial and military
points, but our chief reliance for this object must be
on well organized efficient navy. The benefits re-
sultng from such navy are not confined to the At
lantic States. The productions of the interior which
seek market abroad, are directly dependent on the
safety and freedom of our commerce. The occupa-
ton of the Balize below New Orleans by hostile
force would embarass if not stagnate the whole
port trade of the Mississippi and effect the value OF
the agricultural products of the entire valley of that
mighty river and its tributaries.
1t has never been policy to maintain large STAN
ding armies in time of peace. They are contrary to
the genius of our free institutions-would impose
heavy burdens on the people, and be dangerous to
public liberty. Our reliance for protection and de-
fence the land must be mainly on citizen sold
iers, who will be ever ready, they have ever been
ready in times past to rush with alacrty, at the call
of their country to her defence. This description of
force, however, cannot defend coast harbOrs and
inland seas, nor protect our commerce the ocean
the lakes. These must be protected by our navy.
Considering the increased naval force, and espec-
tally of steam corresponding with growth
and importance nation, and propOrtioned to the
Increased and increasing naval power of other nations
of vast Importance regards safetyand the great
and growing interests to be protected by it, recon-
mend the subject to the favorable consideration of
Congress.
Post Office Department.
Tho renorf of he Pocfma Ster General herewith
communicated, contains the detailed statement of the
operations of his department during the past year,
1t will be that the income of the hostages will
fall short of the expenditures for the year between
and two millions of dollars. The deficiency has been
caused by the reduction of the rates of postage which
made by the act of the third of March last. No
principle has been more generally acquiesced In by
the people than that this department should sustain
itself by limiting its expenditures to its income
Congress has never sought to make it of
revenue for general purposes except for short peri
cd during the last with Great Britain, should
it ever become charge on the general treasury. If
Congress shall adhere to this principle, l think
they ought, 1T will be necessary either to curtal the
present mail service to reduce the expenditures
so to modify the act of the third of March last
as to improve its revenues. The extension of the
mail service and the additional facilities which will
be demanded by the rapid extension and increase of
population western frontier, will not admit of such
curtament will materially reduce the present ex-
peedtures. In the adjustment of the tariff of posta-
ges the interests of the people demand that the low
est rates be adopted which will produce the necessary
revenue to meet the expenditures of the department
invite the attention of Congress to the suggestions
of the Postmaster General this subject under the
belief that such modification of the late law may
be made will yield sufficient revenue without fur
ther calls on the treasury, and with very little change
In the present rates of postage.
CONCLUSION-Death Of Jackson.
occasion for me to dwell for moment On the most
eminent citizen of country, who during the sum
mer that is gone by, has descended to the tomb The
enjoyment of contemplating at the advanced age of
near four score years, the happy condition of his
try cheered the last hours of Andrew Jackson, who
departed this life in the tranquil hope of blessed i'm
mortality. His death was happy his life had been
eminently useful. He had unfaltering confidence
in the virtue and capacity of the people, and in the
permanence OF that free government which he had
largely contributed to establish and defend His great
deeds had secured to him the affections of his fellow
citizens, and it was his happiness to witness the
growth and glory of his country which he loved so
well. He departed amidst the benedictions of mill
ions of freemen. The nation paid its tribute to his
memory at the tomb. Coming generations will learn
from his example the love of country and the rights
of man. In his language similar occasion to
the present, 81 now commend you fellow citizens to
the guardance of Almighty God, with full reliance
of his mercul providence for the mantansnce of our
free institutions; and with an earnest duplication
that whatever errors it may be my lot to commit in
dischargng the arduous duties which have pevolved
on me, will find remedy in the harmony and wisdom
of our counsels.' JAMES X. POLK.
Washington, Dec. l, 1915.