Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1852-05-13
BASIS OF NATIONAL LDEFENSES.
NO. 2.

BASIS OF NATIONAL DEFENSES.
Ma. EDlToR -
The leading principles
upon which a.e hased systems Of nation.
al defense are few and simple but i, is
oi the greatest importance that they he
we'll grounded in the minds OF those
who direct the government. The limits
Of daily newspaper will admit of little
more than a bare statement Of them
Indeed, little more can be necessary,
since they are founded on the most OBJ
vious and universal truths OF human ex-
pericnce.
The first principle by which all ma
tons have hitherto been guided in this
matter 10, thar,
So long as human nature remains un-
changed, so long wiH possessions tempt
cupidity and treakness inrite ogg' 'ession;
and consequently, 80 log must nations,
like indiriduais, pror'de means 10 defend
and Sc, IRE themselves from resulting ro'-
berry outrage and oppression.
No intelligent mind, acquainted with
men, can. i, would seem, require a ci,a-
ton OF proofs to establish the truth OF
this principle Human history IL one
continual demonstration OF IL. he
love of property and ol power are not
more universal or more certain, than the
acknowledged and continually occurring
wrones and injusiices, individual and ma
tornl, resulting from the abuse and MIS-
direction Of these leading springs Of hu-
man action. The voice OF experience
re-cchos that Of history and those whose
ears arc open 10 them need no further
proof o' il,
The second principle is that,
By proridiug means Of prevention or
ofpunishm.ni. for vrong and outrage
nations greatly diminish The numter "
them, mitigate their diSdstroI, conse-
yurnces, and adj 10 The public security
pc ce and prosperity.
This seems, II possible, more eVid'h'
than the first. Not only does history
furnish nunbcrless conspicuous and IT,
s,ructiye instances Of It, but the world
"A, this moment feels itself withheld from
an unia,homcd abyss OF blnodshed and
horror, by the existence IN every nation
! Of means Of sci preservation and de-
| Tense. He must be poor observer OF
| human nature who does not daily see
proofs of it. What surer guaranty
against disIespect can one have 'hah
the means of resentIng and punlshlhS
~ Who passes more safely through
an excited populace than the man o'
determined eye and s'alwart frame -es-
pecially when ca rying a substantial
cane2 So with uations, extreme causes
alone ca impel them to attack a power
iul or v charmed neiChbor. Many prac-
| ,icaI inierenceS Of great importance flow
maniiesily IRON this principle. Your
readers will pardon alIusion TO one in
4 this connection. 1t is that The adrdntd
pes TO the cause of humanity resulting
1 from policy in accordance unh 1t are
/ incdicuidbk. A view OF the wrong, the
II bIoodshed that would thus be prevented d
ough, TO be sufficient TO enlist the best
efforts of all sound phiIanthroplsts IN ia'
vor OF providing ample aud 60 'en'
means OF national defence.
\ The old maxim "the sures, wa 10
preserve peace is to prepare Tor w.
/ shows that clear-headed men have :
ways been aware that it is not the Ii !;
but the lamb which the volt seeks d
| quarrel with and dcvcurs. All thar ear
be alleged agains' this principle ny the
/ holders OF iavoritc theories, OF human
!, nature, Of human philosl ny, CT OF hn
man destiny. whom the admission oi !
| dlsmourts from their hobbies, will prob
ably never be able substantially to shak,
or modiyit. The apparent objections
/ irany. tha, occur to thoughtful mindi
will lie rapidly dissipa,ed by reason and
experience.
\ From these it may be said to follow
that,
or itro nations relatively equal, IN 20
sition, territ rial ertent, population on'
re,ources, that one wH "iways posses
the advantage, which has the most le,tec
and efficient system Of National DeJen
Jes.
Its rights OF person and property vii
be more secure, its commerce more 'ai'
and free TO develope and Its inilucnc'
greater in the family Of nations.
Il Influenced by these universal an'
primary principles, not to mention TIN
numerous secondary and conIlbgen
ones all nations have hitherto. in th
period OF their advancement aud pros
perity, organized systems Of national de
rense more or les. suited to their want
and positions. Aud il departures iron
this Icy are found in nations histo
ry, they will generally he found, no
when the sun OF its glory ~ ascending
in brightness, bu, after it has passed tn
meridian, and begins TO descend, sur
n ,opud.d by ,hs clouds Or a'ver'i'y