The daily union., 1852-01-13
REMARKS OF MAJOR STEVENS.
II The Festival al Jackson Hall, January 8, ls5


The following having been proposed
.'The Army and Navy: The risht and left OF our
national defence The rights and honor of their country
Major STEvEss, Corps of Engineers, United States
army, responded as follows:
GENTLEMEN: In the name of the army, | return my
thanks for the honor OF this toast speak IN behalf OF
the American armyihat army which presents lis breast
10 the enemy which pours out It's blood, which lays
down its life. wegh,y significance already attaches
10 these words--the american army For, hrst, 1t
achieved the independence Of these States against the
powerful nation OF modern times. Second, it waged
against the power the second war OF independence
10 maintain the freedom OF the seasthe war the cuml-
nang gories OF which this evening celebrate. And,
third, when contiguous republic inerfered with the do
mestc OF one OF Saies the vndcaton Of the
law OF nations thus ranped under foot placed in
lis hands, and the STARS and stripes waved the
ancient of the Mon,ezumas. The American army
will forget what is due 10 iis past and its
future glory We feel that citizens alike with you,
are the army OF free people We know too, that our
country possesses elements OF military strength scarcely
appreciated by the nattentive observer OF evensele
ments that have been nurlured by the wonderful growth
the trials and vlcissudes OF our young nation struggling
into manhood Consider simply the history OF the past
years. They have been years OF heroic effort, and
have shown us 10 the world heroic people. We have
surpassed the mgraons OF the ancients, piercing noun
tans, spreading mighty wdernesses, and through
homes and rearing States Moses forty years lead
ing the Israees TO the promised land We have in less
than years made many lands OF promise where before
the Indian pursued the chase, and cold and famine held
undIspuied sway.
Gentlemen, in consequence OF this stern experience
force OF will and happy combination OF individual quail
ities have been stamped upon the American character
No other people have been reared in such school, No
other people combines command and obedience, is so
subordinate TO law, yet is 50 much law unto ITSELF No
other people, OF ancient modern times possesses such
elements Of military power It is the profound convic.
ton OF my heart that in just could meet the
world with million OF armed men, each man tried and
those men who feared God, but not man-ihose men,
stern in fight, yet merciful in vicory-lhose who
achieved the great triumph OF English independence, and
transmitted 10 us its glorious recoectons.
As an officer of the American army, such is my pro.
found conviction; and lei me say to you that the
bers OF both services which you have honored 10 ght
that the American people are marching forward TO
mighty des,ines and that upon them heavy responsible
ties will rest We mean 10 do our whole duty. We
mean all times 10 be in harness and at our posts We
know not when the lime may come-probablyn our life
time, and perhaps tomorrow We feel no despondency
but are filled with Joy and hope. When our beloved
nation-"a power earih'shall determine TO measure
right and in yindcation OF violated law and outraged
humanity, the army and navy will carry their couniry's
flag in triumph over all seas and through all lands.
Gentlemen, the words OF your honored guest are sink
ing deep into the hearts Of men, As he pleaded his
night tears gushed from the eyes OF strong and stern
men-sodiers the field and statesmen in The cabinet
The mighty soul OF this naion responds 10 his touching
appeal in behalf OF his oppressed country His mission
TO us will have fruit He will return home with the
vciion that country will not permit Europe TO be
Cossack, when lis inierpostion will make il republican
Gentlemen this much. vaunted Russian power has recey
ed attention at the hands oil able military
Its military strength Is not so gigantic as has been
represented. In all the pai elements OF naval strength
the United States is the first power in the world Wide
spread commerce, seaiarng habits. muiudes OF sea.
men, vast tonnage, Tin round numbers, -four mil.
lions)these the real sources OF navies The
mutation Of obsolete material, o slow sailing ships, and
honey combed guns, ~ not naval strength. On the
irary Il ~ weakness for the temptation 10 use existing
material is loo strong to be resisted and the failures due
10 the bad material depress and drag down the naval
character OF the nation.
In any contest with the United States Russia could not
float an inch board anywhere below low water mark,
cept by suerance that is, the United States
should get her fleets organized, which might require
year.
vast spectre OF Russian power haunts the magina
ton OF some people. But Is spectre. II is perhaps
much due TO her overthrow OF Napoleon as TO anything
else. Let any reflect little that campaign, and
suppose that Napoleon had had the naval control of the
Baltic and could have transported his arDle and above
all his supplies in ships from the mouths OF the German
rivers ST. Petersburg, and then ask what would have
been The result That campaign failed for want Of
poraon for provisions and forage, through the ,hny
populated districts that yielded OF these supplies
ship of one thousand tons is equal 10 wagon train Of six
thousand horses Let therefore, the necessity OF inter
position arise and with immense OF transpor.
ia,ion could knock AT the gates of St Petersburg
and before the auocra could call TO the defence of his
capital his armies striking down liberty in Hungary and
in the Caucasus, that magnificent monument OF the
and heroism of the sons OF the New World Yes blow
at ST. Petersburg will succor the oppressed nations OF
Europe, and turn the Cossack tide.
close my brief remarks with renewed expression OF
my profound conviction that we have a work yet TO do
TO be done by us in Our day and generatiou Our fleets
have 10 maintain the freedom Of the seas from our own
happy shores TO the remoest islands OF the East and
arms 10 demonstrate TO despoc powers that only are
the frees but the creates, military people of ancient
or modern tmes