The North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1834-1850, 1850-10-23
SPEECH OF MR.. VENABLE,

SPEECH OF MR.. VENABLE,
OF NORTH CAROLINA,
Delivered in the House of Representatives of the
United States, September 10, 1850, on the Naval
Appropriation Bill, and against the appropriation
for the establishment of a line of Mail steamers to
run between the United States and. the coast Of
Africa.
MI. vEsAsL1 said; Coneurring as I do, M Mr.:
Chairman, in all that the chairman of the Committee
on Naval Affairs has said of the value of the navy to
Us as an arm of our defence, deem it unnecessary to
say much on that subject. l would be indeed in
sensible to the merits of those gallant men who have
so often filled the measure of their connrys glory
and covered themselves with honor did hesitate to
adopt all that he has said in their praise. 1t is ne-
ther to eulo2ize the navy to depecate the value
of the service which that of our defence has al
wavs rendered to the country that rise on this occa-
sion to address the committee. History has given
them immortality, and every American heart swells
with pride and is filled with gratitude when the mer-
1t of our gallant is the subject of remark They,
like the army, have their high position with the
American people, and it would be an ungatefu task to
undertake to dspace them, since they are so deserv
ing of our admiration aud esteem. My purpose IS
entirely different. 1t is, by consulting strict ana
Just economy, to be able TO take care of the rights
provide for the necessities and render efficient the all
important and highly. valued navy Of the country.
cannot be unmndfal of the fact, that the only way TO
their efficiency and to reward the services OF
those faithful and gallant men-the only mode OF re-
tanning for them the high place which they now oc
cupy in the affections of the people. is by just re-
pard to all other branches OF the service-securng
them from the odium of favortsm and the censure OF
enioying prodigal expenditure OF the public money
The highest expenditure, sir. is Inconsistent wit the
theory or practice of the lowest taxes would oe
convenient for the receivers OF the bounty OF the gov
ernment if did not Immediately exhaust the sources OK
supply and terminate bankruptcy of the Treasury
iwould here remark, that the republican school to
which belong has uniformly resisted large exPen-
ditures. Our creed is as near an approximation 70
free trade as is possible-light taxation, moderate
salaries. and no national debt. We regard nation
al debt as inconvenent and ultimately as ronous as an
individual debt. We have always revolted at the
thoupht of the dominion Of banks and brokers. capt.
taists and corporators and have an utter
of a system which consumes the fruits OF nauonal
labor in the payment Of interest and the support Oh
an aristocracy Of wealth. For this reason we nave
not enjoyed the reputation of iberalty IN appropila
lions for purposes and have often been charg-
ed with contracted spir. towards great enterprises
The appropriations reported by the chairman ot tne
Wavs and Means, together with the deficiency DILL
the pos: Office bill, the permanent and inoehh'e ap
propriations for rivers, harbors, forthcatons'
claims, and French spoa,ions. all taken IN
CONJUNCTION with the ten millions voted 10 Texas
the appalling sum of than seventy mil
lions of dollars voted and to be voted by this >es'
sion of Congress. In time of profound peace win
no cause for unusual expenditure we exceeo
fifteen millions the expense of Government "heh ~
the midst OF the Mexican war, with hfty ;noosano
troons in the field and the navy in full employment
The people that represent have not torgo'ten tna'
the Democratic Administration Of 1910 was broken
down for an expenditure Of fifteen millions JUST 'e"
wears ago and they will not look with lndinefense
on hill of seventy-five millions, which they Will
have to foot up. For myself do not mean 70 con- ION
cur in any such expenditures. and am grained ina
the chairman (Mr. Stanton) has disclosed to us tha
there is not only possibility. but propriety, III
reduc;no the estimate some two millions OF doiials
He shall have my cordial support In every a'emP: a.
re,renchment and my thanks for every effort wh.c'
he may make in that way. The esma'es now o"o fe q
ported show about the same expenditure OF 1857
during the war, although. .our country is at peace
and there is smaller number OF sailors ana af'"e'
| in service than for years past.
These facts, Mr. Chairman, need explanation, ant
the people will have it, woe to those whose vo'e
fix this burden upon the Treasury. IL Is our Gu'y -
face the question, and to curtail our expenditures
Notbinp is more certain than that the days OF ina
Government are numbered whose expenditures eS
GOOD ;ts income. The servitude of debt whether In
divdual or NATIONAL is the quintessence OF slavery
one is a calamity which affiicts but 1ew' OUT III
other spreads its ruinous power no' o"'y ose.
whole community, but upon coming genefauon'
Nv purpose, however, is to devote few moment
to the examination of scheme disclosed In IN
amendment which the Chairman OF the Iomh''e {
, on Naval Affairs proposes to make TO the Oil .'al
ing appropriations for the naval service: ne lntol9
ed us that he meant to propose the building OF
line Of by the aid of the funds and the cret
it of the United States, which would es'ao"sn COZ
nection between certain ports in this country an
1.-The coast Africa.
The double purpose of this scheme was the ma
service of the United States to that coast and oth
tation of the free negroes of America 10 me 'a"o
their ancestors When this project was hrst SUI
pested 10 me some months ago, was incnea 10 I'M,
fvorablv of i.-at least much so as to give II u
most calm and moderate consideration. nave oo'
80. and taken counsel of the most experienced pc
e sons with whom had opportunity OF consu'ta;'o
to avail myself of their experience and their
The result Of nv reflections, and ola tho lights whi
y have been afforded me. decided conviction tha'
10 ia neither safe nor prudent for this Government
a embark in this enterprise Indeed, slr' nave oeee
30 much and 80 gravely to doubt the ProPrety OF
me if it were an original question, to oppose any SUI
lorpanization The existing contracts must ana oug
70 to he complied with. Good faith requires IT, and
y will vote every cent necessary to the tu'n'nen'
IL our enoauements. But am unwilling to- cxte
such engagements, OF to favor any TURNER 'n'ereS.
such enteTprises. 1t is argued that the terms
do more favorable to this Government. 'nasmocn
st these mail steamers constitute ready supply
s,e.m.hins. all at hand for defence in case OF WI
the Sovernment. by the conditions of the contra
having a right to take them at valuation and eonv
- ,hsm into war steamers. To this there are two
iections % first. the vessels are built with vie"
n freicht and passengers, and not for war service:
he Mr.. STANTON, [Mr. venable giving way? " y
to the gentleman from North Car0na INA
with her gallant and intelligent commander who
.. nresaes the belief that that vessel could be IN
=. readily converted into efficient war steamer