The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-01-10
Tire President has discharged his du-

us now discharge ourS-Hnl NY WUios
merely. but by deeds. The best supS
port we can give him is to respond to
his declarations by our actions. II ls
my firm conviction, and do not hest,
tate thus publicly 10 avow y, that the
best, if not the on y hope that we have
iof avoiding war with England IS y
exhibiting a pubiic and uuited detern,ls
nation to prosecute II, shouldt come,
with ali the energies that God has CIV
en- us, and by an Instant and serious
consideration OF the preparations ne
cessary for such offensive and defensive
measures us may be required and as
prompt an adoption of them as a just
regard 10 circumstances may demand.
Our country is extensive. ln many
portions Of it the population IS sparse.
The frontier, both Atlantic and inland,
is long and exposed. iR 5ttsGa
Our defensive works are unfinished.
aud some of them are unfinished. |
do not know, but fear that many iIn-i
portant branches Of supply are inade-i
quate. Our navy, and especially the
steam portion5of it, is not upona scale
commensurate with our wants, If war
is almost upon US. Thatnayy fought,
itself into favor, and its country into
honor, in the seemingly unequal and
almost desperate struggle into whIchit
so gallantly went in the last war. And
anotl3se contest would find it equally
true to its duty, and 10 the public ex-
pectatons. ! lrus: tie time will never
again come, when it will be question
in great crisis, wheiherthe navy shall
be dismanted and rot in our docks, or
whe.her it shall be sent out to gather
another harvest Of gloryupon the ocean.
1t is the materiei for military and naval
operations, it is first necessary TO pro-
cure. Men we have ready; and such
is the patriotism inherent in the Amer
ican character, that they never will be
found wanting in the hour of difficulty
and Of danger. Our militia requires a
new and an efficient organization. 1t
is arepreach to us that we have suffer
ed this important branch of national
defence 10 become so Inefficient. 1t
has almost disappeared from the public
view. Both the laws upon this subject
and the administration of them require
immediate and severe examination.--s
For this is one of the great bulwarks
of the country in the hour of danger.
1t has shown its patriotism and valor
upon many bloody field, and the fu-
tore, if it should need It's services, will
witness its devotion to the country,
whenever and wherever, and however
it may be tried. Many of the supplies
required for the operations Of war, de-
mand time and care for their collection
and preparation; and we must remem-
Der that we have to do with 4 people
whose arsenals and dock-yards are ill
led to repletion; whose; supplies are
upon scale equal to any probable de-
mand upon them; whose gigantic mil-r
itary and naval establishments, an
nounce their power and maintain. it;
and the strurture of whose government
is better fitted than ours for prompt
and vigorous and offensive action. 5.a4
1t is in the spirit of these views thatI
have submitted the. resolution before
the Senate, and in which | ask their
concurrence. r. g5a
A great responsibility is upon U.s.,
We shall best discharge it by firmness,
and by wise forecast, which, while it
steadily surveys the danger, makes I'D
equate provisions to meet it. By thus
acting, we shall give practical appro-
baton of the course of the President,
we shall show to our constituents that
their interests are safe in our hands;we
shall speak neither in "a deprecaiing
tone, nor in tone of defiance, but of
firmness, to England; and we shall give
to the nations of Europe proof that
republics are as jealous of their rights
and honor, and as determined to main
tain them,as monarchical governments.
TAKE MY Hat An enthusiastic
New Yorker lately made visit to the
Lakes, and after witnessing storm on
Did Ontario found himself on the brink
IF the mighty cataract. What he did
hare is thus related by the Rochester
American:-A Albany Alias.
On the morning of our arrival, we
to the American fall, not a
word was said by our companion.-t
We next went TO the horseshoe fall,
nd alter gazing for some minutes up
N its untold subIimity, each seemed
nxlous to hear an expression of the
rst impressions of our hero. He
too like a statute, perfectly motion
sss. saw the blood rushing to his 2