The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 184?-1851, 1846-01-07
NO. XII.

engrafted into the permanent institutions of the
country. But when war threatens, we should
commence our preparations and press them with
an energy and a prompii;ude commensurate with
the danger.
The President has discharged his duty ably,
patriotically, iearlessly. Let US now discharge
ours-not by words merely, but by deeds. The
best support we can give him is TO respond TO his
declarations by our actions. 1t is my firm con-
vcliDn and | do not hesitate thus publicly 10 a.
VOW it, that the best, if not the only hope that we
have of avoiding a war with England is by exhi-
biting public and united determination 10 pros
ecuie il, should II come, with all he energies
that God has given us, and by an instant and Sc
rious consideration of the preparations necessary
for such offensive and defensive measures as may
be required, and as prompt an adoption of them
as 4 just regard TO circumstances may demand.
Our country is extensive. In many portions OF
it the population is sparse. The frontier, both
Atlantic and inland, IS long and exposed.
Our defensive works are unfinished, and some
Of them are unfurn ished. do not know, but
fear that many important branches Of supply are
inadequate. Our navy, and especially the steam
portion of il, is not upon scale commensurate
with our wants, if war is almost upon as. The
navy fought Itself into favor, and lis country into
honor in the seemingly unequal and almost des-
perate struggle into which it so gallantly went
in the last war. And another contest would find
it equally true TO its duty, and to the public ex-
pectations | trust the time will never again
come, when it will be question in crisis,whe-
ther the navy shall be dismantled and rot in our
docks, or whether it shall be sent TO gather ano-
ther harvest upon the ocean, 1t is the material for
nj vnl 10 fret
to procure Men we have ready; and such is the
patriotism inherent in the American character,
that they never will be found wanting in the hour
of difficulty and Of danger. Our militia requires
A new and efficient organizations 1t is aTeproach
to US that we have suffered this important branch
of national defence to become so inefficient. II
has almost disappeared from the public view
Both the laws upon this subject and the admin
stratIon Of them require immediate and severe
examination. For this is one Of the great bull
warks Of the country in the hour Of danger. 1t
has shown its patriotism and Valor upon many
bloody field, and the future. if it should need its
services, will witness its devotion 10 the country,
whenever aud wherever, and however, it may
he tried Many of the supplies required for the
operations of war, demand time and caretor their
collection and preparation; and we must rcmem-
Der that we have 10 do with people whose arse
nails and dock-yards are filled to repleton; whose
supplies are upon n scale equal to any probable
demand upon them; whose gigantic military and
naval establishments announce their power and
maintain it; and the structure Of whose govern
mont is better fitted than ours for prompt nd Vi
gorous and offensive action.
ltis in the spirit Of these views that | have
Submitted the resolutions before the Senate, and
in which | ask their concurrence.
A great responsibility is upon us. We shall
best discharge it by frmncss and by wise fore
cast, which, while ii steadily surveys the danger,
makes adequate provisions to meet it. BY thus
acting, we shall give practical appreciation 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 deprecatng
tone, nor in a tone of defiance, but Of 6rmness,
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
maintain them, as monarchical governments.