The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-03-28
From the Union.
THE MESSAGE IN RELATION TO THE
NATIONAL DEFENCES

NATIONAL DEFENCES.
- We give in another column the message of the
President, in reply to a resolution of the Senate,
nqulrng as to the propriety of an increase of our
naval and military forces, in view of the existing
state of our foreign relations. This document
must confirm the confidence of the country in the
wise foresight which suggested the recommended
tions contained in the annual MESSAGE. The
President sees no reason TO recede in the slightest
degree from the positions which he assumed at
the opening of the session of Congress- The
events which have transpred during the period
of four months, that has nearly elapsed since the
commencement of the session, have only made
more manifest the wisdom and the expediency of
the measures which the President then recon-
mended in view OF our rights and our duties in
the Oregon controversy. The propriety, and in
deed we may say the necessity, of the notice. are
now hardly disputed Upon that point the pub
lie midland, If we may Judge from appear
ances, which seem to leave no room for doubt
the mind of Congress, too-is now settled -
There can hardly be more question as to the poll
cy of the other measures of protection to the cti
zens, and our rights in Oregon, which the messaoe
recommended; while the progress of events in
| England the speech from the throne. and the
official declarations of ministers in both houses of
Parliament combined with the extensive militia
ry and naval preparations now commenced or in
| progress there, leave. no doubt OF The prudence
and strong proRrlety of meeting them on our part
with some corresponding augmentation of our
means of national defence.
The unfortunate course of events in Mexico.
which has delayed the adjustment of our Difficult
ties with that distracted country, renders such an
increase of our forces yet more obviously expedient
as measure of precaution.
Nor is it only in precautionary point of view
that such action the part of Congress is desl
rabe In our view, preparation for the national
defence is TO us yet more important, as tending TO
the more etectnal prosecution of our negotia-
tions, both with Great Britain and Mexico. in
the event that these negotiations shall be resumed
The appearance of adequate preparation Will
then be as important to our diplomacy, as the
preparation itself will be indispensable to our de-
fence in hostlllties shall arise. If there be
any one lesson to be gathered from the whole
history of the Oregon controversy-and the same
Temark-is true of our controversy with Mexico-
1t is, that we can gain nothing by negotiation, so
long as our negotiation is open to the slightest
suspicion that Is may be defeated, or thwarted or
postponed, without the most serious consequences
The pressure of stern alternative, addressing
itself to the timidity of Mexico, and to the pru
dence and wise craftsmanship of England, is the
indispensable condition of successful mainten-
ance and vlndication of our rights. The recon-
mendations Of the annual messape. and of the
Senate, framed as, if carried into effect bv
Congress, to secure to our diplomacy this nds-
pensable requisite Of success. We cannot Doubt
for moment that Congress will so regard them.
and that 40 further precious time will be lost in
giving to them the force of law. The RESPONSE
bllity will indeed, as the President observes. be
fearful, IT, after every effort to secure an bonora-
BILE peace, we find ourselves compelled. in the
maintenance of our rights, to enter unprepared
upon hostilities with powerful and ambitious
nation.
But it should not be forgouen-and we trust il
will not be forgotten-that military and naval
preparation, however important, is not alone sufi-
Gent to carry US happily and peacefully through
the present crisis in our foreign relations. A
moral preparation is needed as well II NAV be
summed up in one word-UNANlMITY. f. il
too much to hope that such unanimity will now
be reached There is no doubt in the country,
that the advances Of England hitherto towards
compromise with MS. have fallen very far short Of
that which we are call upon by every obligation
to demand. There can be as little donbt that, in