New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-01-30
THE TRIBUNE.
AUGMENTATION OF THE NAVY.
,unortant Deba,e-speech Of Mr. Benton Tor
Peace.

UNITED STATES SENATE. Jan. ~
the bill reported by the Committee on Naval affairs
ry,nenrinr our Naval Establishment by the addition
IT., War steamers and authorizing the President to
,e 70 be completed all the frgaes and soops Oh war
mon the stocks and appropriating for these pur-
The sum of s. Goo MP for consideration
~, v.xyEcav presented an amendment setting aside
- .,c rnrposes named in the bill the entire Proceeds
me Public Lands and authorizing the President 70 az
nv forthwith the of s2o77 COO being the amount re-
| Lived from Land Sales during the past year.
Mr. FAIRFIELD made long speech in support OF the
hill While to those who averSe to war under any
cr,,.spces il might commend itself as measure de-
handed by our increase Of population business and
sslh il was of Immense importance in view OF the pre-
esn. aspect Of our Foreign Relations. For himself ne
,,,,b, indulge unnecessary npprehensons but he
hcngb, he saw spirit abroad IN the earth that would
v., compel US Whatever may be notions ot war and
however peaceful inclinations to arm in sede-
s,nce-;o fight for our very political existence
his true that the principles and policy OF our Govern
spt the character pursuits and sentiments OF our peo
Me Gil tend in eminent and almost rreslstlo!e ue'
s, N the maintenance of peace and good fellowship
with the whole world yet can fail TO perceive
ina, the elements of war apparently slumbering.
NAV be set in commotoE by word or a breath. Inc
Democratic principe-the principle oil selgovernment
making If not rapid progress IN the world Ii
The rotten Governments OF the Old World not now
reeing under its influence, the time is not lar distant
when they will be shaken 10 their very center. ana
yben they shall topple aud fall ne reigousy believed
hey would the shouts Of joy that would up from the
60wn.trodden and oppressed millions would mol be more
di,tncy beard thar the principle OIL ccTHdf progress
would be- distinctly visible But this is not to be accom-
pished without a struggle is SO weak as to sup
pose it, The pleasures of power are never voluntarily
r,inQuished Too long have small portion OF the pu-
man race rioed upon the sp0s wrung fran the toll and
,yeat and from the blood cven of the masses 10 rcn
oush them without long desperate, and agonizing
struggle And in this struggle will the altar from which
,bis Democratic fire il kindlcd be ovorlookedf VIII
Democratic America, from which these glorious iniu-
tures arc constantly emansing, be regarded with
friendly oyci VIII there be no attempt 10 eXtinguIsh
ne sun which has thus been illuminating MI the dark
rsee. OF the earth and carrying light and lie 20 poor
crashed down.,rodden humanity For one. he could
rSdoub with the distinguished Senator from MlchlRhn
hattie conflict was 10 come aud when, our side, II
si truth for liberty for humauityior the great prln
tes tia, lie Mt the foundation of the well being OF NAH
WIEN II for the preservation and maintenance OF
czu free Institutions in Gods name let it come-the
ssner the better. OF the result of such contest, nm
isie ouly could doubt The progress OF humanity is
decree which humanity itself cannot resist. He VINO
attempts l.. attempts il but q b. crushed aud over
Fhened In that great confess. 1t Is cler ha the only
tue Republic upo. the PeoP. of tho Iinied
s,sses--wI have 10 play conspicuous part Our ces'
tny mus, be fulfilled; and he who would shrink from
Tho responsibilities and duties which the epjoymen; OF
liberty imposes, is unworthy OF those enjoyments
After sluding TO the Balance OF Power doctrine
sroyed on tho other side of the water, ind illustrated
BY tho Intervention England and France in the affairs
lesn our negotiations with Texas, Mr. T. adyeTted to
ihe measures by which rea, Britain had deprived our
citizens OF the benefits sccrus omthe Fisheries on the
coats OF Labrador and Newfoundland and the sub
eruge By which that Government had also deprived us
of the benefits supposed have been secured by the
Ashburon Treaty the free navigation OF the ST. John
all which he con,ended matters OF the highest
importance especially 10 the citizens OF Maine ana might
YET something of ripple upon the great oceau ot
atinnll rt., na DT,gOp
Seules with Mexico next adyerted to as present
lg strong for being prepared for the worst that
might happen.
Under ul the circumstances of the case then said Mr.
F.whst ia It duty dor Should we 90 upon the
scupdihat is ',eoa5!s and make suitable prepare
tons TO meet il II this bills Infinitely Snort OF what
ksboud be. Should we. the other hand regard
pace Certain ard beyond the possibility of rupture
md so do nu.hiugf This, he apprehended would be
equally erroneous and sborteighted. The wise course
hen itappearcd to him, was 10 make such oe2innpG'
awhile II may be entirely Incompatible with a state
Il peace may yet afford to tho country some sense OF
scury aeains, sudden attacks OF the enemy upon our
r,oort towns rhs medium, the Committee on Naval
isas have cudcavored to attain in the present bill and
anoi but IN" hope tina, large majority OF the
Senste will be found 10 concur with them.
Mr.. BENTON said that he had not made any war
Eeecbes he had not seen anything TO justify 1t
had not thing o justify war speeches or war
reasures The bill which was now before the senate
vas brought forward as a wnr measure IL was so mt
mated BY the Secretary Of the Navy itwas so adyocat
by the Chairman OF the Committee on havai Affairs;
md the lace OF the blll Isc!I IL WIS
var measure We now brought TO the point wren
tie Senate of the United States called on 10 pre-
,eot In the face OF Europe and the American people
Asir opinion OF approaching war IhSt was The gus
Doc which n now TO present III inc lace OF tu-
hope and America He apprchendcd that they had no'
reached thai question: and for himself he was re.ay 20
pronounce asainsi;, going IN toto against me oi rvu
aecoTdsuce with the recommendation OF the Secre'd
yoi the Navy. What the bill The hrst section
authorized the building of ten steamships or vessels OF
SI three OF them of the class OF irgaes me ssconu
nta, Pre- fT
Ns him put instant active service all the vessels
Cow on the stocks. The contingency in which the Pres
en wes 10 exercise this discretion not even stated
aaa therefore the authority was absolute The section
snorzed the President 20 bring into active aad lne'
aa,e service every ship the stocks aud in ordinary
Wioor, stating the contingency which should take the
Nhofi,y from Congress.
Anoite section the last proposed 10 abolish the limit
Vn as 10 the number of men, aud the amount OF naval
!, S'ce was 10 be lett without any limitation whatever
1 "ae purpose OF carrying out the object OF tue OIL
ave millions and ihreeGu were 10 be appropriated
iaacdIIlon 10 The ships OF war. TWO millions
e'e proposed 20 be added by the amendment OF the
sSena'or rom Indiana, Mr.. HANNEGAS II was not,
soWever in the bill and he would farther aude 10
u But here amount of five millions and three
SaA'ers 70 be added to the naval establishment OF the
!eN What were these expenses now They were Sin
talon three hundred and ninety thousand dollars and
"Wes Proposed 20 add nve millions ard three quarters
MAKING in all twelve millions in year for the Navy OF
2e tnited States Were We, alter experience SIX
!esfsago when great party overturned. and when
0eGgumept used thar that the Government should
administered Tor thirteen in!iuiR II would
y ~as,efu and 30 go beyond That amount
we're We twelve millions To- the Navy But
Udwe stop here; We must have our armament our
seni ard every gun required at least ten men, AMI
sssy Ian required hundred and tHveny-siN dollars
~ MS support. So that when We vote lor cerlun
aeer OF guns. We vote FOR certain numoer Oh men
80 Ten then for every gun IT, then, we vote IN aoui-
.a orr Navy today OF 1--WE hundred guns, we vote
~ ne addition OF thousand the naval essb
aens With this there to be repeal OF tue limit
seorsssnent. The Dill came forward war measure
skhAr al h1Ay In MAYA No
sa,nent which required twelve millions per Snnu'n
moor counting the TO be enlisted aiterward,
selns the entire amour, Sl3oOOOoO when the ~
res Of tue whole Government, according 10 the est
es were outtwery.one millions the billrcported
me Senator from Maine Mr. FAIRFIELD should be
Igeo leaving out the proposition Of the Senator from
cTSA mr.. HANSEGAS. we should have This amount
W .1rteen millions, OF the twenty millions, for
~ "a defence He opposed TO the bill on account
n,s snoinnty OF appropriation for ANY single arm OF
ona oelehce--more than that he opposed 10 i;
war measure. He was opposed TO it, because he
ns. nos VIKING mat the American Senate should, oy
passing II declare 10 the American people and 10 Eu
thst we had an idea war and therefor, deemed
n v,xrtgL