Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-05-15

,ernal, springs sout. of the great staplesEo the
South tits equally certain, that all expenses
incurred in the interchange of Southern COM
modities for Northern and European merchan-
dize, fall upon the Southern producer; and the
cxpepse of Post Office communications is as
much to be taken into the estimate, us that Of!
freights, commissions, storage, Wharfage, &c.
With the increased trade and commerce Of
our State, under separate government, the Post
Office would easily support itself, although our
mail facilities might be greatly multiplied. But
we have allowed $4,000 to begin the system.
Many, doubtless, will think SlO0 1000 too small
sum for military establishment. We cannot
think so. For many years the United States
army did not exceed 1000 men. tis, at pres
ent. not 10000 This can scarcely be called a
standing army in so large Commonwealth. 1t
is very sure that the wise framcrs Of our Rcpub-
lie carefully excluded from our system stand
ing army They saw the danger and expense
as well as the general inuti!ity, of such an lnstl-
tuition in a country like this. They supposed
and it is principle which lies at the bottom ot
our governmcnt-that citizen soldiers would an
swcr all purposes of defence and protection;
and wars of conquest and invasion never, per-
haps entered the heads Of these wise and hon
est 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 depraaat;ons of the Indians. Time
has proved the wisdom of their design. There
can be no more dangerous foe to liberty than
large, unemployed, wcll-traincd scldiery. Let
us not forget the wise lessons of our virtuous
fathers. We want no standing army in time OF
peace If our borders be invaded, our citizens,
with their strong sinews and stout hearts, by the
aid OF the officers 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 foothod in their
territory.
A few hundred men, therefore, to take care of
our military stores, arsenals, &c, would be all
wc should need. Ten thousand dollars would
cover the expenses But we should enlarge and
nurture our present Military Acaccmics, as
schools for Officers. Eighty thousand dollars
would do for this.
For our Naral Establishment 81 ,000, 900 have
been allowed But it may well be asked, why
so muche What docs q nation want with 4
Navy unless she have ships to protect? South
Carolina has nonc But it is hoped, she soon
will have, and it would be wise policy IN our
rev government to encourage, as far as pract-
cable, the shipping interest. AS that interest
advances, so should our Navy aud Marine; and
so they will with anything like wisdom on the
part of our government. One million Of dollars
annually, would soon give US q handsome Naval
and Marine Corps. More, We are certain, un-
less We become involved in war, would not be
necessary. During WAsuINGToN's Adninistra-
ton, the L. States Naval Establishment did not
cost, in any one year, over 100000. The first
two years, the cost was $50; the next only $50;
the rext SCI 400. The whole. United States
Navy and Marine Corps of this day require for
their annual support 81, ,5s3, ,722. tTrcasurcr's
Rcp.l One fifth Of this amount would give us
larger Navy than we should have use for in time
Of peace.
That the above may not be deemed an under
estimate of cur expenses, let it be compared with
the snuual expenses Of the Government for the
thirteen original States under WASHINGTON.
The following table wlexhibit the expenditures
in each branch of the Government, as well as
the sum total Of annual expenditures: