Semi-weekly Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1851-1852, 1851-08-04

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not, that while we of the South enjoy mail ia.
cilities to a much less extent than the Northern
people, we yet bear the heaviest burthen of the
Post-Ofice revenue. There can be no doubt,
that the largest portion of the Post Office re-.
ceipts arises out Of the mercantile transactions
of the country and it is evident, that large
share of the commerce of the land, both foreign
and internal, springs out of the great staples of
the South. 1t is equally certain, that all ex.
penses incurred in the interchange of Southern
commodities for Northern and European mer-
chandize, fall upon the Southern producer; and
the expense Of Fost-O Office communications is
as much to be taken into the estimate, as that
OF ireights, commissions, storage, wharfage,
&c.
With the increased trade and commerce Of
our State, under n. separate government, the
Post office would easily support itself, although
our mail facilities might be greatly multiplied.
But we have allowed 0,000 to begin the sys-
TEN.
Many, doubtless, will think 100000 too
small a sum for military establishment. We
cannot think so. For many years the United
States army did not exceed 1000 men. 1t is,
at present, not 10000. This can scarcely be
called a Standing army in SO large Common
wealth 1t is very sure that the wise trainers
of our Republic, carefully excluded from our
system standing army. They saw tho dam
ger and expense, as well as the general inutili-
ty, of such an institution in country like this.
They supposed-and it is a principle which lies
at the bottom of our government-that citizen
soldiers would answer all purposes of defence
and protection; and wars of conquest and IN
vasion never, perhaps, entered the heads of
these wise and honest men. They, at all events,
deemed them highly dangerous to Republican
institutions. Excluding then, regular army,
they introduced small military force to. take
care Of our military posts, stores, &C., and to
protect our frontiers from the depredations of
the Indians. Time has proved the wisdom of
their design. There can be no more dangerous
foe to liberty than large, unemployed, well.
trained soldery. Let us not forget the wise
lessons Of our virtuous fathers. We want no
standing army in time OF peace. If our bor-
ders be invaded our citizens, with their strong
sincws and stout hearts, by the aid of the Off.
GERS we may always have among US, can soon
be turned into disciplined troops, prepared, at
all times, to defend themselves against any
forces that can get footkold in their territory.
A few hundred men, therefore, to take care
of our military stores, arsenals, &C., would be
all we should need. Twenty thousand dollars
would cover the expenses. But we should ELL
large and nurture our present Military Acade.
mics, as schools for Officers. Eighty thousand
dollars would certainly do for this
For our Naval Establishment 81 100000
have been allowed. But it may we'll be asked,
why so much? What does nation want with
a Navy unless she have ships to protect! South
Carolina has none. But it is hoped, she soon
will have. aud it would be wise policy in our
new government to encourage, rs far as practi-
cable, the shipping interest As that interest
advances, SO should our Navy and Marine;
and 50 they will with anything like wisdom on
lie part oi our government. One million OF
dollars annually, would soon give us a hand
some Naval and Marine Corps. More, we are
certain, unless we become involved in war,
would not be necessary During Washington's
Administration, the United States Naval Es-
tabishment did not cost, in any one year, over
100000. The first two years, the cost was
$50; the next only S53; the next SCI 400.
The whole United States Navy and Marine
Corps of this day require for their annual sup
port S5,523,722. TTreasurers Rep One
fifth of this amount would give US larger Ma
Wy than we should have use for in time Of
peace.
That the above may not be deemed an un-
der. estimate of our expenses, let it be compar.
ed with the annual expenses Of the Government
for the thirteen original States under Washing
ton. The following tables will exhibit the ex-
pcnditures in each branch of the Government,
as well as the sum total of annual expeudi.
lures: