Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-04-24

ID nut forth the energies and Of the country in
such manner successfully fulfil and discharge all
obligations, all our duties; and which, II We omit TO
do we may justly incur the reproaches, and 1t may be-
the curses of the and OF future generations
What are those preparations WhatI propose Isl
First to look well and narrowly into the operation Of
our financial system to provide the proper securities
an ample revenue against the contingency Of war and
the consequent Interruptions Of foreign trade; give
every encouragement within the competency of the Ma
tona to the Improvement and extension of
internal commerce. and especially to establish direct
overland communication by the construction of q rail-
way between the valley Of the Mississippi and the Pacific
coast
Secondly to give the spirit and resources of the
country their full efficiency and development in any
emergency of it becomes our duty to guard with in
creased vigilance against all of sectional irritation
councils and policy the seeds of sectional strife as we
would the deadly nghtshade from grounds not by
prescription and denuncation, but by cultvatng spirit
of mutual forbearance and Cancellation
Thirdly, strengthen national defences to place
them upon footing which may not leave the country
exposed in the emergency OF war; TO shameful and
fying disasters and especially to add largely to
military marine, measure demanded by our extended
foreign trade and the manifest nadequacy of the
establishment give it that protection and security
which is necessary even in time OF peace.
From statement, the most authentic and reliable /
have been able to procure of the present naval
of the States of Europe it appears that Great Britain
put afoat fleet of 678 effective vessels of all
casses-l50 Of which propelled by steam-with an
consists of 328 effective vessels with aggregate Of
5000 guns Russia has feet of l75 effective
sells, with aggregate complement OF 5000 guns be-
sides 440 gunboats The proportion of steamers in
the naves of France and Russia am not able to state
upon any reliable authority but from statements have
and which attach credit to- the steamers
Of the French be set down at hundred That
the number authorized by the Government OF France
in 1916
win deain the Senate by any notice of the naval
establishments of the inferior maritime Powers of Europe
ss< 1acSa
able to make of the navy Of the United States
which consists Of rs effective vessels Of all classes with
aggregate complement Of guns and Of these vessels
are propelled by steam!
Such is the naval force that must rely upon for the
protection of the honor Of flag commerce. which
penerates every accessible to American enterprise
and frontier of 6, 900 miles in extent
Such is the beggarly and miserable preparation of the
Of maritime warfare either offensive defensive,
with which proceed to provoke and insult the great
Powers of continental Europe Why sir single fact
ought to be sufficient to awaken in the minds OF the peo
pie of this country lively apprehension Of the pers of
the condition in which may be placed Our commune
cation at this with California and Oregon for all
purposes 81 effective supply and defence, is by sea-re-
qurng average voyage Of four thousand miles by the
Ithmus route and of sixteen thousand miles and notices.
than six months time, if the passage be made around
Cape Horn through the Straits of Magellan. 1t viii
thus be at glance that either of the maritime
Powers of Europe whose naves have alluded to could,
in one two months time, efectually block up our
only reliable communication with California and Oregon
to defy all the of this country short Of year
two's preparation to reopen it.
But that is the lamentable and Notifying
pect Of the condition of affairs in this country At
period of time when all the eastern world may be regard
ed trembling upon the verge of CONFUSION and change
when principles most vital and momentous to mankind
threaten to become the subject of universal confct at
period when we may be exposed to hostile combination
of all the great Powers of continental Europe such
period this under such circumstances these what
are the prevalent IDEAS and passions and which
occupy American politicians and statesmen The passion
for place and postonthe idea of power These the
ideas and passions which control every great interest in
this country every branch of public policy internal and
external foreign and domestic commerce. the extension
and Improvement Of internal communications the public
defences ALL all become but secondary considerations
neglected moulded into shapes and forms subservien
to the purposes adapted the exgences Of the
what clique, faction party shall be made the depo
stares from time to time, OF the power and patronage OF
the Government Even the slave question could not
cape the predominant and controlling passion Of the
times-orignay stimulated into being and wrought up
its present complexion by the interests and in
necessities and exgences of these factonsor parties if
you please to dignity them by the name, including if
you choose, the party to which belong
Iwould not do great act Of discourtesy inus
ce the honorable members who grace this chamber by
their presence and it by their counses to
the politicians and statesmen of the country generally
deny that there many individual exceptions to the
general avermen have made the passions and In
fuences which control public affairs. But, with this
PLANTATION repeat that all political calculations and
speculations verge to end One idea reigns trum
plant throughout the landthe idea Of power And this
too such period in the affairs of the world this
too in the American Republic Well may invoke the
spirit and the counsels Of Washington to inspire with
wisdom and kindle in bosoms the flame Of
revolutionary patriotism.