The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-03-06
From the Buffalo Commercial AdUertiser.
Unreasonable Complaint.

certain class of opposition papers constantly
scrutinizng the acts Of the Administration, solely
in search of grounds for censure and reproach.
They assume that a Wing executive must do wrong,
and then keep on the lookout for something TO
tain the assumption. They begin by practical
averment that no good can come out of Nazareth,
and follow it up with efforts to msrcprcsent all that
is done, and turn every thing into evil. If mea-
suggestion is intrinsically right and fair
mischief suspected. All this is in bad taste and
patriotic to the last degree. Our national reputa-
ton is dependent in no uncomfortable measure
upon the conduct of the Government; and no man
with just sense of his obligations to his country
will seek, much less make, occasion to bring con-
tempt or reproach upon that executive. The order
of the Navy Department, made under the direction
of the President, sending the figate st. Laurence
to the Worlds Fair, with specimens Of American
productions, skill and ingenuity, is seized upon by
those journals alluded to, and made the subject Of
a stretch of power-a piece of executive usurpa-
ton in derogation of the authority Of Congress de-
serving the severest apprehension, if not impeach
inent. This is alike paltry and unjust. In no in
stance has Mr. Fillmore transcribed the limits of
this constitutional authority, and in the matter Of
the ST. Laurence he has only exercised sound dis
erection confdcd to him as commander in -chiefof
the navy. of the United States. The Consti-
tuition has made him the judge of the pro-
per disposition of our vessels of What
would these grumblers have Do they expect
the navy to be all the time fghting9 Have
they any idea what navy is maintained for in
time of peace? Our public vessels are sent into all
the waters of the world, and for what object2 Not
for hostile contention with other maritime powers,
not to protect our commerce from the guns of Eng
land or France; but TO uphold the credit of the
American flag, to impress the civilized world with
correct ideas Of our consequence as a nation, and
to inspire that respect and consideration to which
entitled.
Why did Mr.. Polk send this Same ST. Laurence
on to the coast of England and up the North Sea?
There was no enemy to be encountered, no wrongs
to be redresscd, aggressions to be anticipated.
Why do wo keep great squadron in the Mediter-
ranean? Our merchant ships would run no haz-
ard of piracy injury of any kind if our fleet
withdrawn, and no American armed vessel was to
enter the Straits of Gibraltar for the five years.
We maintain our force there for appearance sake,
for show. Tho Mediterranean is the place of pa
rade for all the great maritime powers of the
world, and the United States must play part in
the pageant. The ST. Laurence is sent into South
ampton water on mission of amity and friend
ship She bears the evidences of our handiwork,
skill artisans, agricultursts and artists, the
productive power of the country. and its vast and
diversified resources, for the inspection Of the civil
lied world. more legitimate or appropriate
duty could not be devolved upon the finest frgate
in our service.