Democratic banner., 1846-02-14
CO.fTRESS.
On the 9th ult., in the Senate,

crn States.
Mr.. Fairfield called up the bill for the
augmentation Of the Navy, when
Mr.. Hannegan moved his amendment, tc
apply the proceeds of the public lands re-
ceived during the last year, to the building
Of ten additional steamers.
Mr.. Fairfield then rose and addressed the
Senate in a powerful and eloquent speech
in favor of the bill. In the course of his
remarks, he said he thought he saw specks
in the horizon which will compel us to fight,
and in this opinion he was glad he did not
stand alone. He advcrtcd to the rapid adj
vancement of Democratic principle in the
world, which was shaking the thrones Of
monarchs TO the very centrc-the progress
of humanity was a decree that humanity
will not resist, and he who slrinks from do
ing what be ought for its advancement, will
not fail TO be overwhelmed.
He thought from the present aspect Of
the Oregon question and Mexican affairs
that it would be necessary to have an in
creased navy for war purposes. He was
opposed to the amendment offered by Mr..
flanagan, as indiscTeet.
Mr.. Benton followed: He said he had.
made no wal speech this session; he had
made no war speech, because he had not
seen any thing to justify a war speech,
much less to Justify war measures. The
bill now before the Senate was brought
forward rs a war measure, and was advo-I
Gated as q war measure. They were now,
it appeared, brought TO a point where words
were to stand for things; when the Senate
Of the United States was to pronounce in
the face of Europe and the world their o.
pinion on the question of approaching war.
That was the question, and he, for one, was
ready to pronounce upon it. And he did so
mos: alphabetically, by going against the bill
In toto.
Mr.. Benton proceeded to remark upon
the provisions ofthc bill, and to compute
the amount Of expenditures TO be incurred
under it; which he made, by calculation, to
amount to between ID and Tli,0GO,0O0, in
GLIDING the pay and allowances of The men
and officers, as we'll as the expense Of con-
structing and arming the ships.
4. naval peace establishment, said Mr.. B..
to cost $4,000, 900, when it is estimated
that the whole expenditures Of the govern
mont ought not to 90 beyond r2l ,000, 900.
Sir, Ioppose this bill on account of the
enormous expenditure which it proposes,
and 1 oppose it as a war measure. am
not willing TO plunge into a war measure
when the stat of things around US is peace
while |, at least, cannot see tic war to
which it is to be applied. If war comes ]
want no halfway measures. Ii war comes,
We will vote with no stinting hand; but, I'M
II . l., $780, On, DgalpCt any tHlnUi
which is e~quiyocal Or debatable. Sir,
hope ny position, whether there be war or
peace, viii not be equivocal. Peace mea-
sures and war measures should be c%onclu-
sive and d~eterminate.
Mr.. B. concluded by moving that TIE fur
Their consideration of the bill be deferred
until the first Monday in May.
Mr.. Dickinson, of New York, followed.
He said that the bill had been reported by
the Naval Committee, in reply to the ingul-
~ directed by the resolutions of Gen. Cass,
adopted early in the session. He p%ronoun-
ced the position taken by Col. Benton er-
traorAinary, and proceeded to d%enounce
it, as weighing the national honor and safe
4y against dollar rs and cents. He thought
the present aspect of affairs required the
passage Of the bill, and declared that no
thing was TO be gained by blinking the ques,
ton. 1t was better that the country should
be taxed than to submit to national dlshon-
or. They would lose the respect OF ma
tions, if they did not make preparations
when wars grim front was menaclng them
The matter was plain, simple and obvious.
Was there any thing so alarming IN the
prospect Of war? If so, they had better
send a flag Of truce at once and surrender
all that England chose to demand; give her
q deed of assignment, and let our huinilla-
ton be placed upon record 1t was not The
way to make ourselves respected by APP,
pearing anne and spiritless. He wished for
an unequivocal de claration from the Senate
that TINS country will be prepared for any
emergency. He would not purchase peace
with money or with land.
MrHannegan declared that, if peace is
to be purchased, it must be with blood and
steele alone. He said he had consulted
the Senator from Maine, (Mr Fairfield,
before introducing his amendment, and re-
ceived his endorsement. He could not
therefore understand why opposition to it
was now made from that quarter. Mr.. Fair
field explained Mr.. Uannepan went ON fol