The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-04-04

ted States to Mexico, at the date of the
last advices, had not been received by
the existing authorities. Demonstra-
tions of "a character hostile to the Uni
ted States continue to be made in Mex
leo, which has rendered it proper, in
my judgment, to keep nearly two-thirds
of our army on our southwestern from
tier. In doing this, many of the regu-
lar military posts have been reduced to
a small force, inadequate to their de-
fence should an emergency arise.
In view of these circumstances" it
is my "judgment" that San increase of
our naval and military forces is at this
time required" TO place the country in
a suitable state obedience. At the same
time, it is my settled purpose to pur-
sue such course of policy as may be
best calculated to preserve, both with
Great Britain and Mexico. an honora-
bic peace; which nothing will SO effec-
tually promote as unanlmity incur coun-
ellis, and firm maintenance of all our
just rights. JAMES X. POLK.
WASHINGTON, March "a, 1916.
The clerk having read the message,
On motion of Mr.. Allen, it was laid
on the table, and ordered to be printed.
Mr.. WEBSTER then rose, and said
| rise for the purpose of submitting an
inquiry relative to matter referred to
in the message, and not for the purpose
Of making any commentary or remark
whatever, on the message itself. We
perceive, from the message just read,
that it is the judgment of the President,
that an increase of our means Of de.
fenCe-both military and naval--has
become necessary by the circumstances
of the country. The amount or extent
of that necessary increase is not stated
in the message. But the President says
that estimates showing the extent of
the necessary increase in our means Of
defence, military and naval, have been
communicated from the appropriate de-
partments of the Executive govern
ment to the appropriate committees OF
this and the other House of Congress,
for their advisement and consideration.
| will not complain, sir, at all, of this
mode OF communicating TO the members
of Congress the judgment of the Exec
utive upon such highly important and
vital questions; and do not complain
of it because, as the President says, it
is not unusual. Recently it is not un-
usual; but the practice is of recent ori-
gin, and, in my judgment, is not to be
encouraged. | do not know whether
the honorable members of the Senate
who are respectively at the head of
these committees, have communicated
these estimates in any way 10 the body
to which they belong; and | rise, there
fore, for the purpose of inquiring of
them-beginning with the honorable
member from Missouri, (Mr. Benton
the head of the Military committee,
what that communication to which ref
erence has been made, is, and whether
he cannot suggest some form Of bring
ing knowledge of it to the whole body
Of the Senate; because it is stated in
the message that these estimates were
made by the sanction of the President
himself; and of course it seems to me
that these estimates, thus sanctioned,
should have been brought before the
Senate.
Mr.. BENTON, in reply, said: the prop
er introduction to the answer to the
honorable Senator's inquiry, addressed
to me, will be the statement, in the first
instance, how tits that the departments,
with the sanction of the President, have
communicated these estimates to the
committee. The reason Of that proce-
dure is, that at the beginning of the ses-
sion, resolution of this body having
been adopted directing certain commit
tees, and amongst others, the Military
committee, to inquire whether any, and
if any, what additional deiences and
preparations are necessary in the pres
ent state Of the country. AS a matter
of course, the committee sent that In
quiry to the proper origin--the Secre-
tary of War. He. returned an answer
to that inquiry, which is in the hands
of the committee-many parts of it be-
ing very proper to be made public, 9TH
ers not. 1t is all in their hands; but up
to this time the committee have not
deemed it necessary to take any action
upon it.
Mr.. FAIRFIELD next rose, and said; !
am also called upon, and the statement
| have to make is simply this: In con-
sequence Of the passage Of resolutions
offered by the Senator from Michigan,
[Mr. Cass, directing the Military and
Naval committees to inquire what meas
ures were necessary for the defence Of
the country, letters were written by
a Il n