The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-02-11

Our National DEFENcEs-THR NAVY Queen Eli
zabeth before the battle Of Tewkesbuy, after review
ing her army, eoquently exclaimed, 'though mine be
womans form, my hear; beats as a mans, and that
man king Of England !" and, at the present era
IN our affairs, we consider it our legitimate duty to
make earnest investigations upon the state OF our
national deences, keeping strict look out for
heritage as a man and patriot, of the glorious
boon OF inestimable freedom conferred upon us. It
Is subject OF too deep an interest, not to raise
hrob IN every heart and even reluctant tribute Of
admiration from monarchical Europe, whose emf
grants and exiles have found peaceful and happy
home upon our shores.
It's true, most glorious defence is in the hearts
Of our people, is in keeping nominal force OF
about six thousand men-less by thirteen hundred
than the preachers OF one of our religious denomi
nations, and with which to be able 80 far to maintain
countrys dignity and honor But now the scene is
changed-England watches us in the North West
Mexico disgracing our Ambassador in the South,
the miserable debtor who hangs on to her mort.
gagged Observation-Disclosures by the meshes Of the
Island Queen. whose subtle diplomacy in that Re-
public, entities her to change in her illustrious coat
OF arms, of " lion and unicorn to spider en-
snarIng fly; and the only point in which we may
be found vulnerable, will doubtless be in our navy
In the many changes in the Secretaryshlp OF the
navy, there strikes us to have been kitchen cabi-
net sort Of management in its affairs-that men of
the Richie stamp have had too much to do in
throwing their influence against wholesome reforms,
and allowing favorites to squander moneys upon
vain and futile experiments, instead of adopting
the good and wholesome; welltried ones, that
offer permanent advantages and benefits. While
our merchantmen are the admiration Of the world,
In form, speed, and in ornament, the models of
many nations, and our individual enterprise has
already built steamers, men-of-war and bngs, for
the Russian, Mexican, and Brazilian governments,
our own navy, in its peculiar management, seems
behind the illumination of the age and in case Of
war, we should have at once boldly to rely upon the
system OF prvateering for defence and security,
perhaps as good as money for Republics
As the end would justify the means, we wish to
call public attention TO this neglected branch of our
national defence, and earnestly hope that those who
are years behind the age in nautical improvements,
will not over persuade Mr. Bancroft in his promised
reform in these matters. As a general thing, the
government has nobly supported it by liberal appro-
prations yet,for the manner in which the money has
been expended, we refer you to the reports of the
TlOn secretary Oh tnat department. 10 certainly
time that we should be on the qi cipe and no hour
is like the present and we feel confident, that if
judclous expenditures had been made OF all the
money appropriated for the last eight years. we
should the affairs in this branch Of our defence
in much better state than they are at present. feel
ing also that our country would be the gamers if
our vessels OF every description were built by pr-
vate contract. and not under the superintendent Of
idle experimenters
We earnestly hope that these things will be looked
into yet for our life we cannot see why the Secre-
taryship Of the Navy should be made the reward Of
literary merit without those kind Of people are easier
influenced BY the heads Of the Bureaux Of that de-
partment, who, as general thing, are welded to
bygone notions in all that pertains to our national
defence. We thirst for reform, and hope that MIR
Bancroft will carry out the promises and re-
commentators that he has already made; and then
we shall be able to fearessly cope, sans caemonie,
with her.
-" Who needs no buwarks,
NO towers along the steep;
whose march 10 DER the mountain wave,
whose 4. an h. aa~