Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-04-01
The Naval Estimates.

These estimates have attracted great deal o.
attention. They contemplate an immense in.
crease of the naval force, requiring an enormou,
expenditure of tho public money. But we again
say, for the hundredth time. that no e,pendi.
turc can be too great which is needed TO PUT the
country in n state of defence. The Navy toe
will be our principal reliance in war. for. we be-
lcve II will he next To impossible, no matter how
much money is expended upon Qualifications, to
protect our immense scaboard, accessible ut sc
many points. from the footsteps of invasion. Our
principal struggle must be upon the sea, If we ex
pect to defend shores from pollution; there
upon the theatre where our most glorious tr-
umphs IN the late achieved, we musi
spread our "stril cd bunting" once more 10 the
breeze, and shew the world that the blood Of Per
~, Hull, Chaunccy, McDonough, flows in the
veins of living heroes, who only need the opportu-
nifty, TO emulate aud surpass the glorious deeds OF
their sircs.
We ,ay, if war must come. build your ships by
hundreds. Call in your hardy whalers. and fill
up your cruisers with American seamen. Let
the busy hum of preparation arse from every
work. shop in the land. That is kind of elo-
quence more To the purpose than the noisy blus-
ter OF Your Aliens and your Hanncgans And.
when all is done will 1t not be gallant SIGHT,
the fleets of strong, stately ships with their white
canvass spread To the winds, their dark batteries
frownng over the waters, their crowds of athletic
seamen at the guns, and over all. the stars and
stripes, floating in proud defiance We shall tear
the sceptre of the from Great Britain. and IA
a struggle that will CRIMSON every ocean, teach
the world that hence forth Columbia "rules the
waves"
All this will DO very grand. but let the people
ask one question.-'ohdi as IL 10 cost We have
sample IN these estimates. which will require at
least nce.iy millions for beginning. Large as Is
the contemplated increase of ships. it will he en-
tircly INSULT .cnt. unless followed by steadily
progressive augmentation. TO cope with the euor.
NOUS naval power of Great Britain. Twenty
millions will be only drop in the bucket, compa-
red with the immense drain which 4 war with
England will require
We may talk of American patriotism. Ameri-
can valor, American proves. Grant it all. Let
1t he conceded that no nation under the sun is a
match for our own in these noble qualities But
will they pay for the building of a single ship ,
Will they I'LL the pocket of the sailor and the sol.
died. Will even Western love of country, excessive
and disinterested a. it is, furnish the Government
for nothing, with supplies for its armicsl Or, 90.
eth any man a warfare upon his own charges ?
No. We must have MONEY, and that money is
to b. wrung from the peoples pockets in amounts
which will beggar the whole land. or borrowed
at enormous rates of interest, ii lenders can be
found, and a NATIONAL DEBT created. which
will remain as an incubus upon the energies of the
nation, for centuries 10 come.
oar readers cannot fail to have marked how
sedu'Ously Mr.. Polk has absained from commit
ting himself in regard TO the estimates for the
comparatively small expenditure contempla.
ted. He has not proved the Young Hickory"
he was represented, and taken the responsible.
ty'' as he should, if the emergency is indeed such
as to require the preparatory measures now pro-
posed. Congress. left in perfect ignorance of his
Intentions, is expected TO assume burlhen which
the Executive is afraid 10 bear.
Ii it is in Mr.. Folks nature to choose plain
aud manly course, let him come out frankly.
and lay aside the foolish veil of mystery with
which he seeks To conceal his purposes. If he
has reason to believe that the Oregon dispute
be amicably compromised, let him act upon
that belief, and save the expenditure which in
that event will be unnecessary. Or, IT the sub
ect is so involved in doubt that prudence dictates
extensive preparations then let him declare the
fact to the Representatives of the people, and ask
himself that the country be put in posture of
defence sufficient To meet and repel the threaten
ed danger.
He canno; escape ultimate responsibility. The
question OF war peace is in his hands. He
may shudder TO encounter the difficulties OF his
position, but having sought the pleasures of Off
cial station, Ia. must take its thOrns with its flow
ers. IL may he luckless blast of fortune that
has borne the wren TO the eagles nest, hut being
there, he must breast the storm, and face the
lightnings that play about that Alpine height.
Disguise it as the Government may, the people
of this country feel abiding confidence that
the Oregon dispute can be honorably and peace
fully adjusted, and will hold to fearful response.
bility the man who refusing every reasonable
compromise, shall give up this peaceful land to
the havoc and desolatiOn of war.