Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1852-05-13
WHOLE NO. lI3I
OUR NATIONAL DEFENSES.

( After thirty yefrs OF
uninterrupted progress, under all adj
ministrations OF both political parties, in
the erection Of Notifications as a part Of
IA system Of national deicnses, Congress
seems about 10 pau'c in it's career. Las,
year no appropriations were made for
them, and We hear vague rumors of
doubt whether any thing further will be
done towards completing those on our
Atlantic sea board.
1t 10 natural and proper 10 inquire into
the causes oil this hcsitaton-to ask the
reasons for this apparently mcdita,cd
change oi policy. History tells pa,ri T.
ic citizens how essential TO national i'll
dependence security and influence, is n
Judicions system of national defenses,
organized by wise forecast, in times of
peace. II tells philanthropisis; how
much devastation and bIoodshed baxe
been prevented by this timely prepara-
uoh, which admonisles the agressor, be-
lore commencing, TO weigh, well the
danger and the cost. The beet judg-
meh' oi all great statesmen, lawg-ivers
ana rulers; the example OF the great
nations the past, and The practice Of
all those Of the present time admonish
the ircemen of the United States that.
30 long as human sefishness and human
passions are reproduced in each succeed
! ing generation, so long must we be gui-
ded by the came rules ofprudcnt prepa-
ration, in the glory and permanencc of
this great republic, the destinies Of which
are, for tho present, committed TO our
hands.
We canno, believe Congress insensi-
bic 10 ihese considerations. Its hcsirn-
'on TO pursue policy, in accordance
with experience tie example Of contem--
porary nations, the judgment Of most of
our own leading ria,esmen, and the pol.
icy o, every successive administration
since 1917, cannot proceed from waDr
oi due estimate Of its national import
ance.
II seems rather, to proceed from wan,
Of full understanding and due appre-
citation
ls', ofMe true basis Of II system of
National acfe"sesj-
2d, Of The conditions which in the pro-
sent state OF the world and in our own
country, such system ought reasona-
bly, to satisfy
ID, OF clear knowledge Of our present
system of National defcnses; aud
lth, Want of the support 4 sound and
dec'dcd pnJAc opiniOn on this matter, es-
Pcciully among The ciH5cns Of the com
mercim ant maritime states whoSe IN
teTtst' ro"ld be The first 10 sn6er from 1t
neglect on HiS subject.
BY resolutions of the Sd OF March,
1851 the House Of Representatives call
cd for, and mt the opening OF the pres.
ent session Of Congress, received from
the Hon. Secretary Of War an able re-
port Of eight distinguished officers of
cur Navy and four Of the Army. on the
subject Of our prcsen, system Of Nation
al Dcicnses, and Of the FortIiicationa
which form rnrt OF il, BY these, Con.
gress have before them the means Of
coming 10 an intelligent determination
on matter Of such great Importance,
not only TO our national safety and innu-
ence, bat, as must be obvious 10 ordinary
penetration, TO the pe,petxify q our
Union.
The mere possession Of iheso means
will not of itself suffice to secure time.
ly and WISE solution Of the problem
Amidst the passions aud strifcs OF party
and the combinations OF local and sec
tionul interests, Of which legislative ms
semblcs are the theatre, the force OF Il
so1nd and decided IuilIc opinion is es-
seutial 10 prevent matters Of the highest
national momcnt from being over-riddeu
or postponed, while the public treasury
b!scds freely for objects which, to say
the least, arc of inferior importance
This opinion it is the Irerogauve and
the duty Of frrcmeD 10 form und 10 eS-
press.
The present conIunciurc seems or
perfume for the exercise O. this prerora-
tive the performance oil this duty by
the intelligent citizens of Rhode Island,
that by looking iato the matter and form
ing q sound opinion they may assist in
giving a timely impulse III the right di-
rcction TO the apparently wagering nc
ton OF our national Councils.
The fact that, though possessed Of n
small extent of territory, ours is mara
tin e, commercial aud manufacturing
state, aud that We have by far the fnest
huroor OH the Atlantic sea-board, rem
dcrs the subject peculiarly important to
US, even now; and still more so, in view
OF the many possible events that lilo
in the bosom Of The unknown
future. Under these circumstances,
Sir, II will, am sure, accord with your
own Judgment and the wishes OF your
readers TO invite their attention, ss
Rhode Island men, IN your next num-
ber, 10 n brlei consideration Of 1.-THE GUe
jds,s Of a sy~tem Of national defence"
y.