The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-02-05

ask, sir, why Il 10 that the people Of this country
have always raised their voice against extra
ordinary expenditures in this arm Of the ma.
tional defencel We were very correctly told the
other day by the distinguished gentleman from Mis-
sour, that when you build ship Of war, you have
Just laid the foundation OF lis cost TO the nation. am
not prepared TO 90 into statement OF facts and fg
ures on this point and carrot, st this moment, say
In what length Of time tho expense OF ship ahost
equals the cost Of construction. IL cannot be but
few years How natural then, that the people OF
this country should look with jealous eye TO the
expenditure Of money for this branch Of the public
service, not only because il imposes heavy burdens
upon their industry--not only because it draws our
citizens from peaceful pursuits, and creates fresh
pensioners upon those in our country who do It's
lsbor--pensioners who are to wear our clothes and
eat our food-but because, when the burden is once
created there il remains: Il is fixed upon our houl-
ders, The ships are built--the men are enlisted
and the generation OF to-day, at least must sue
cnmb 10 the the tribute, whatever IL may, that we
shall now impose upon them.
feel Il to be my duty, Mr.. President, while on
this branch Of the subject to say one word in rela-
,ion to the manner in which taxes are levied upon
the people, not only for this Of defence but for
all branches Of tue public service. Az in all other
governments there has been. and Is, in this, A
TAX. PAYING and TAX REcEiyiNG portion
Of the community. In all countries, and most
especially in ours, the line Of separation between
tHcsc Classes 10 anu hHu say
here, in my place, that the annals Of history, and
the records OF all nations may bs turned over, and
there is not to be found upon The face OF the globe
so unequal, so unjust, so oppressive system OF
taxation as that 70 which this republican govern
meni resorts for the purpose Of extracting money
from the people 10 support IL in lis extrdyagance. Il
is felt-seyerey felt-by the people OF all our agr-
cultural Siaies--by that sturdy yeomanry Of the
land whose blows in war have saved our country
from the hands Of It's enemies with their armies or
veteran soldiers, reared on the fields Of hundred
mighty baties-sayed US, too, without INJECTING up
on the nation the evils OF such tribute ss this in
time Of peace again assert that II Is quite natural
that the people should look with keen Jealousy to
the Expenditures OF this government and that they
should require strict accountability OF those who
control its expenditures. The people, let me add,
have ever been found wiling to contribute liberal
sums whenever convinced that the exigences OF the
government, It's honor or It's welfare demanded il.
But, at the same time, they always have protested,
and hope H.ways will protest, against wild aud
unnecessary expenditure OF the public money. And
whY Does not every gentleman within the sound Of
my voice know rhatlt is perfectly absurd to talk here
OF bringing the expenses Of the government TO low
standard unl~ss the expenditures be reduced? II
you 70 on maintaining large standing army, build
ing great navy, and carrying out splendid sys-
tenn Of internal improvements, every man Of com
mon sense must know that system OF taxation
equivalent To all this must be kept up. The money
must be extracted from their pockets and wrung
from their hard earnings. The enorniities OF the
tariff held up in one hand, and this bill in the
other, presents beautifui figure Of consistency for
Anti-tariG men! have alluded but incidentally to
this subject. II il were proper moment would
pursue the argument step or two further. ] would
endeavor to draw aside the curtain still further that
now shrouds the golden sources Of your armies and
these appropriations for presenting TO the world
splendid spectacle Of national defence may be urged
by individuals Who unlike my constituents are not
taxed TO raise the money. But to proceed as wish
10 observe the utmost brevity, ask il, as peace
measure, the appropriation called for in ths bill is
requisite for the protection OF our commerce That
is the question; forif to have peace, take il
for granted that the most fasiidious gentleman here
who is pleading for the extension Of the navy, will
agree with that any further than a necessity may
exist for the protection Of our commerce from pira-
on the high seas no augmentation ofte navy is
demanded. Il was stated by the honorable senator
from Missouri, that upon the Mediterranean-that
great sea Of thieves and piratrs-our ships and conn-
merce at this time safe as in the Chesapeake
bay. We hear Of no pracies on the high seas; and
whyi The whole world is at peace, and each civil
lied nation is co operating for the common protec-
ton Of the property and vessels of all from the hor
rid acts of the pirate Hence it is in this glorious
era of peace and civilization, that crime the most
aggravated that can be committed against the law
of nations, has almost ceased on every sea-
But, Mr.. President, il becomes absolutely ne
cessary that this augmentation Of the navy should
take place, would the author Of the bill before
the Senate with the view Of affording adequate pro-
lection to our commerce, send his war-steamers to
the Mediterranean, TO the Pacific, to any distant
sea- Task him if he is not aware that such vessels
be Of no utility, except in the protection Of the
coasting and inland tradei The aid Of steam is
great and important auxiliary Of our national de-
fences when properly applied Should we be so
,,nE, IN, hai Itad ipo ,nL nl
in his infinite mercy prevent this description Of
vessels would be admirably adapted for the defence
of the coast and harbors But suppose no man ac-
quaintcd with maritime affairs will say that such
vessels are intended to traverse the ocean, there to
meet an enemy, and fight the battles of the country
Such class Of vessels Of war is no improvement on
our former system Of naval warfare, any further
than the defence Of the coast is concerned. The
old system has existed for time imlnemorial, and
you must preserve il, for the obvious reason, that
fuel and Subsistence, sufficient for more than q
month, cannot be carried in steamer.
And now, sir, if my strength will permit me, !
think shall be able to show conclusvely that in
the present relations Of this country with the world
there is no probability Of WAR. And i'll do so, I
think my honorable friend from Maine will at once
abandon his project; that he will, to use familiar
expression, acknowledge the corn" and permit this
bill to lie upon the table,
/ proceed then to consider this subject in
the second view which / have proposed taking
of II, and that is az a WAN measure II
is not my purpose to take up the Oregon qnes-
ton and discuss the various points a, issue between
the Two powers. ] will defer that for more aus
pcious period. But suppose il will be proper for
me to advert to tho causes which have been repre-
scented as likely to produce a war. As far as my
observation extends, there are only two cases Of
difficulty existing in our foreign relations likely to
lead to an open rupture. ! refer to our unsettled
difficulties with Mexico and Grea, Britain shall
now briefly examine these cases First, as to Mexi.
co. The differenc' between this country and Mexi
CO grows out Of The annexation Of Texas; and it is
said that recent events indicate very clearly that
Mexico is determined to assume hostile attitude
towards this nation. For my part, must confess,
that aher very careful consideration Of tho sub
iect, have not been able TO discern the slightest
cause of apprehension. do not regard the recent
revolution in Mexico as at all indicating an intention
on the part Of that country to declare war agains
the United States 1t is one Of those ebplitions Of
popular feeling which happens every three or six
months. Perhaps the next mail will tell us OF tn,
Reinforcement u the present military usurper, and
the establishment Of another. But seriously, are
there any causes of war with Mexicc' What ma.
tional faith or law Of comfy has the United States