The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-12-13
,abils of civilized life are gaming ground among

habits of civilized life are gaming ground among
them
Serious difficulties Of long standing continue t.
distract the several parties into which the Chero
KEGS are unhappily divided. The efforts of th,
government to adjust the difficulties between
them have heretofore proved unsuccessful; ant
there remains no probability that this desirable OBJ
iect can be accomplished without the aid OF fur
ther legislation by Congress will, at an early
| period OF your session, present the subject foi
YOUR consider alton, accompanied with an exposl-
ton of the complaints aud claims of the several
parties into which the nation is divided with view
10 the adoption of such measures by Congress as
may enable the executive 10 do justice to them re-
spectivey and to put an end, If possible, to the dis
sensions which have long prevailed and still pre-
vail, among them
refer YOU 10 the report OF the Secretary Of the
Navy for the present condition of that branch OF
the national defence; and for grave suggestions,
having for their object the increase ofts efficiency,
and greater economy in its management. During
the past year the officers and men have performed
their duty in satisfactory manner. The orders
which have been given, have been executed with
promptness and fidelity larger force than has Oft
en- formed one squadron under our flag was readily
concentrated in the gulf OF Mexico and apparently
without unusual effort 1t is especially to be OBJ
served, that notwithstanding the union of so con-
the jealousy of an rritated power could construe as
an act of aggression; and that the commander of
the squadron, and his officers in strict conformity
with their instructions, holding themselves ever
ready for the most active duty have achieved the
still purer glory Of contributing 10 the preservation
peace 1t is believed that at all our foreign sta
tions the honor of orr flag has been maintained and
that generally our ships of war have been distin-
guished for their good discipline and order. / am
happy to add, that the display of maritime force
which was required by the events of the summer,
has been made wholly within the usual appropria-
tions for the service OF the year, that no addi-
tiona appropriations ale required.
The commerce of the United States, and with
il the navigating interest, have steadily and rapid
ly increased since the organization of our govern
ment, until, it is believed, we are now second to
but one Power in the world, and at no distant day
we shall probably be inferior to none. Exposed
as they must be, j, has been wise policy to afford to
these important interests protection with our ships
OF war; distributed in the great high ways of trade
throughout the world. For more than thirty years
appropriations have been made, and annually ex-
pended for the gradual increase of our naval for
ces. In peace, our navy performs the important
duty of protecting commerce; and in the event
of war will be as has been most efficient means
of defence.
The successful use Of steam navigation on the
ocean has been followed BY the introduction of war
ste amers IN great and increasing numbers into the
navies of the principal maratine Powers of the
world. A due regard to our own safety and to an
efficient protection to our large and increasing
CO Ommerce demands corresponding increase on
our part No country has greater facilities for the
construction ofvessels of this description than ours
or can promise itself greater advantages from their
employment. They are admirably adapted to the
protection of our commerce, to the rapid transmits.
sion Of intelligence, and to the coast defence. In
pursuance of the wise policy of gradual increase
of our ravy large supplies OF live oak timber, and
other materials for ship building have been collect
ed, and are under shelter and in state OF good
preservation, while iron steamers can be built with
great facility in various parts of the Union. The
OF iron material, especially In the construc-
ton of steamers, which can enter with safety many
of the harbors along our coast now inaccessible to
vessels of greater draught, and the practicabty of
constructing them in the interior, strongly recon-
mends that liberal appropriations should be made
for this important object Whatever may have
been our policy in the earlier stages of the govern.
ment when the nation was in Its infancy, our
shipping interests and commerce comparatively
small our resources limited, our population sparse
and scarcely extending beyond the limits Of the
original thirteen States, that policy must be essen
italy different now that we have grown from three
to more than twenty millions ofpeople, that our
commerce, carried in our own ships, is found in
every sea, and that territorial boundaries aud
settlements have been greatly expanded. Neither
our commerce, moi our long line of Goa ct on the
ocean and on the lakes, can be successfully defend
ed against foreign aggression by means of foriica
tions alone. These essential at important COM
mercia and military points, but our chief reliance
for this object must b on we-organized, efficient
rbo fro, Oh
not confined to the Atlantic States. The produc-
tidns OF the interior which seek market abroad
are directly dependent on the safety aad freedom
OF our commerce The occupation of the Balize
below New Orleans by o hostile force would EN-
barrass il not stdgnate the whole export trade of
the Mississippi and affect the value of the agricul
tural products Of the entire valley of that mighty
river and It's tributaries.
1t has never heen our policy to maintain large
standing armies in time of peace. They are con-
trary to The genius of our free institutions. would
impose heavy burdens on the people, and be dan
gerous to public liberty. Our reliance for protec-
lion and defence on the land must be mainly on
our citizen soldiers, who will be ever ready, as
hey ever have been ready in times past, 10 rush
with alacrlty at the call of their country to her
leience. This description Of force, however, can
iot defend our coast habors, and inland seas nor
protect 0ur commerce on the ocean or the lakes /
These must be protected by our navy.
Considering an increased naval force and espe- |
Tally of steam vessels corresponding with our
growth and importance as nation, and proportion.
ID to the increased and increasing naval power of
,ther nations, of vast importance as regards our
afety, anil the great and growing interests to be
protected by it, Recommend the subject to the
avorable consideration of Congress.
The report of the Postmaster General herewith
contains detailed statement Of the
perations Of his department during the past year.
I will be seen that the income from postages will
all short of the expenditures for the year between
me and two millions Of dollars This deficiency
las been caused by the the reduction of the rates of
ostage. which was made by the act of the third of
March last No principle has been more generally
cquiesced in by the people than that this depart
nent should sustain itself by limiting its expendi-
ures to its income. Congress has never sought to
make it a source Of revenue for general purposes,
xcept for a short period during the last war with