Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-05-28
THE NAVY---LETTE OF THE SEC
KEVAfkN.

MT. bRANCRoFT, IN MS Annual report from
the Navy Department, made his estimates Of
the expenses Of the Navy for the year Deepen
dent ON certain retrenchments in the service
A resolution Of the House of Representatives,
passed not long since, directs the Secretary TO
report ''what provisions of law are necessary
TO effect the retrenchment recommend in his
annual report, and without which his estimate
for pay of the navy may prove defcient and
also what provisions OF law are requisite TO in
sure the more exact accountability ofdisbursing
officers in that branch Of the public service"
The object Of Mr.. BRANoRoFr's economical
project is comprised in proposed reduction Of
the number OF officers IN the service. We
have too many officers in proportion 10 the
number of ships alloat-such is the Secretary's
opinion. BY diseharging some and laying
others on the shelf at half pay, a saving of
some money may be effected.
It's not our purpose TO question the correct
ness Of this assumption. Ii all the officers in
the service were discharged and the shipssold,
there would be much more considerable sa-
ying-and upon much the same principle
Nor shall we question the correctness Of the
Secretary's assumption that there are now in
commission more officers than the actual
wants Of the service require at this particular
time. But we would suggest that II an add
ti0nal number Of ships ieere buit and put qfloa.
the superabundance of officers would soon
cease there would be active employment for
all, and there might be need Of more.
1t may be deemed popular to urge schemes
OF economy and reduction in reference TO the
Navy il may be under convictions OF duty
and policy that the head of that Department
urges bis present scheme. We are in the hab-
it Of believing, however, that the true policy OF
IL &c tf,al .snfe
crease Of her Naval force AT some time or
other we must become a great naval power
1 1t is inevitable if we would MAINTAIN our posi-
6on among the nations and guard the rights
and interests entrusted to our charge. Area
( dy our commercial tonnage exceeds that oIany
other nation except one-and that exception
will soon cease to have application. We shall,
IN due time, and before long time, stand at
the head OF commercial nations and with the
extent of our commerce the naval force OF
the country should be in its Just proportion
commensurate.
| If this policy is not adopted, our trade in ev-
cry sea, our richly freighted ships-what viii
they become but the spoil of the first strong
handed foe Ouryast commercial marine VIII
prove to be only nursery Of prizes for the
benefit OF enemies and rivals our lucrative
commerce, a golden fleece for every iree-boot-
/ ing jason.
1t can hardly be expected by those most san
gune of peaceful future that we shall be al
lowed, without interruptions, always TO adj
vance in our growing greatness; tohecome the
most powerful of nations without test OF
strength to carry out our principles OF Tree re
lpublcaniSm in the face OF great nionarehles
accustomed to supremacy, and yet avoid, at
some time, collision between the conflicting
principles of our institutlonsand theirs. Doubt
less our policy is peace. But such porten-
tous revolution as our progress Is now working
in the systems administrations the old world,
such an influence as our example is exercising
| upon the public mind OF Europe-these are
not consonant with the idea of perpetual peace.
! Taking, however the general range of con-
! tngences, without reference to any special
causes which may be supposed to indicate war
sooner or later. it is clear that if conflict
/ should at any time occur with any great Euro
pean power il must be mainly war upon the
ocean. Our supremacy Will be recognized
( there first in the vast aggregate OF our com
merce. II is upon the ocean and by means OF
| the ocean that we approach Europe; mutual
contact takes place on that arena. Moreover
/ there is no species of force so congenial with
our institutions as naval force. a large army
organization in the bosom of The land might
/ be The means OF establishing military despo-
tism but fleets and squadrons could do no
such thing. The national mind has no repug-
nance towards a navy, but takes pride in IT.
1t is by our stately ships that the banner OF the
/ Republic is borne toioreign shores. Shall that
/ flag. through the weakness OF the power that
sustains it, ever suffer insult or cease to com
mand respect in distant chimes Shall its APP
pearance carry no security to our merchant
vessels, no feelings OF confidence and pride to
our people who may behold it abroad
Let Mr.. Secretary BANCROFT devote what
Ivigience he viii to the reformation OF abuses,
| if there are any, to the suppression OF waste
and extravaganza; let him carry out with
what suietness he will, and the more strict the
better, a rigid system OF accountability through
out all branches and grades OF the service-but
as for reducing the navy itself ana weakening
that arm of the public defence when it most
needs strengthening-le him torbear from that
Eif be would have any reputation for statesman
ship. Declaring, in the face Of all Europe,
that we are sufficient for ourselves on this con
tinent and capable Of taking care OF our own
destiny, il would seem strange indeed if with
these bare words Of independence we should
act as though we regarded words as quite suf-
6cient for intimidation and defence, and better
than physical means because less expensive
4