Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1846-06-13

against nation Of one hundred and seven
yfve millions Of people. But | am
aware that in actual war, our commercial
marine could not be converted into nava
armament: all at aRce. Our policy
whether good or bad, is never to prepare
for war beforehand; consequently, W,
must expect that our gallant little war ma
Wy would suffer dreadfulIy in a contes
with gigantic power that has been mis-
tress OF the seas for two hundred years
What then? Why, let US withdraw ou
navy to few strong points, where they
could be protected by bays land broad ar
med ports" Let US yield for the time The
high seas, and even the largest portion o
our coast; bu; protect such as could be
protected by land batteries, and their
own energies. Then letus clt up com
merce by the root, and in The language Of
old Hickory, "perIsh commerce, perish
trade" Make it penal offence o: the
highest grade to load a vessel for a for.
eign porto ship one single bale Of cot
ton, hogshead of tobacco, barrel Of pork
or -four, or any other production OF the
soil during the continuance Of the wal
either in our own or foreign vessels. Lei
Congress take this high ground, and pass
prohibtory and non-intercourse acts, not
only with Great Britain, but all the ma
tons Of the world, under the heaviest pen.
aIties--and what would be the conse.
quence! Who would it lniure most? We
are the greatest producing nation in the
world. We make the greatest quantity
Of the raw material, which is the foun
dation Of EngIand's safety, and of her
unsurpassed wealth. Let our 100000
bales Of cotton be Withdrawn from her
market, not only six months, but year,
who would suffer most by this single
item, TO say nothing of others almost as
necessary 10 her peace and safety?
Would it be US? think not. 1t would
cause manufactures TO flourish beyond all
example, save during the late war. All
articles OF our own use and necessity
would be supplied abundantly, wilhoutlhe
aid OF protection, against foreign paupers.
indeed all the articles necessary tor a
state oil peace or war could be made by
our own citizens. Thanks to the tariff,
it has only paid off our national debt, and
supported the government from lis crea
tion 10 the present time, but it has built up
manufactures in all the branches neces-
sary 10 support and sustain a great and
Independent; people, in peace or in war.
The question recurs, whom would this
policy most injure? Again say not US.
MIR. Jefferson, the great apostle Of human
liberty, once said, that if our country
were surrounded by sea of fire, it would
be the greatest blessing that could be con.
lerred upon US. He looked al our great
capacity for inland navigation, our forests
and our mines, our variety Of climate. our
productions, So wonderful and SO grand,
for all the purposes OF great empire
and he wished US cut loose from the cor
ruptions and entangIements, the jeaousies
and wars of other nations. However
this might be, as settled course of poll
cy, it is undoubtedly true in the unnatu
raj state of war. We could live within
ourselves, and we could multiply human
beyond all example. Atthe end
of the war, manufactures would possess
the power, from their number and skill, 10
occupy The market Of the world,--and
instead Of shipping the raw material, the
bales would alone leave our
ports. War, thus conducted, would be no
great draw back. We would fight it for
ever, and defy the powers Of the earth TO
put us down. What matter would 1t be
10 us whether we had dollar or not
each citizen would support his govern
ment for its drafts, or certificates. 1t
would be war for the support and safety
IF our institutions, and no sacrifice would
De, too great. We could make SO much
money, but we would sustain the insIltu-
ions Of our fathers, and keep the fires OF
liberty burning upon the altar OF every
leart.
There would be no privateerlng, be.
ause there would be nothing TO prIyateer
pom. Our labor, beyond the necessary
upply of bread stutfs, and the raw mate
ial for manufactures, could be applied to
uilding ships upon our great inland seas,
nd to building railroads. And then,
'hen our enemy got weakened and ex'
ausled by the want Of supplies, the all
lent on which it feeds, we might sally
nth thousand ships TO the ocean,
nd sweep the proud mistress OF two cen
tries from its face. We could then pro-
aim peace on our own terms, and dictate
, the monarchies that seem jealous oil us :.
ow, the line Of policy they should Pur ),
lc towards their downtrodden subjects. !
Their armies could not invade US to
ny great injury. The time is truly past =
hen conquerng armies will march over
i'd through our country. II would DO Y
npossible for the larges. army that ever 2
usIered its hosts for battle TO march tlve u