The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-05-07


affairs, we have not only departed from the wise
policy lad down by our forcfathers, In giving af
'front.' To Russia ani Austria. bat we have also com
promised the Interests and the safety Of the Sultan
vi turkey. Who knows but that at this moment
re may DO the doomed victim Of the resentment of
those two great powers. Have we ever considered
that, in our oficious intermeddlng in the affairs
OF Europe, we have incurred obligations and
cations OF duty, Of honor, and
Of sel-respect, which only be fulfilled and dis
ourselves to insults, which can
only be retaliated. by war? reason not upon the
chances that in the present condition OF European
affairs, IL may be the policy Of the two great pow
ers whom VIC have 50 deeply aggrieyed to waive
their resentment against Turkey, and to maintain
ainicab.e relations with US for the present. am
for acting upon the maxim, which holds good in
private and individual Affairs as among nations
ne Tho voluntarily incursa responsibilities who
deliberately incts an insult, should ii he Is wise,
lose no time in putting himself in an attitude to
meet the consequences, whether they come or not.
The last great practical conclusion TO which
have intended TO direct my remarks is, that in
view OF the present posture Of European affairs IN
view Of the prospect Of at no distant day, in
which the United States may be eventually in
volved; in view Of the obligations AMI responsible
ties We have already incurred; in view of the hon
or, dignity, and duty which attach TO our position
in the family of nations; in view of the wisdom,
prudence, and forecast which should distinguish
great model republic, in providing against the
contingencies OF the future; in view Of our own
safety; in view Of the best method of PREF.
the blessings of peace; in view Of .ao policy Of re.
viving ana cementing .rply national spirit and
sehtiineht MIRO gneut the laid We should lose no
ie making every essential preparation 10 put
iorta Tue energies and resources OF the country in
any emergency which may arise, in such manner
as TO successfully fulfil and discharge all our obi
gallons, all our duties; and which, if we omit to
DO, we may Justly incur the reproaches, aud, II
may be, the curses of the present and OF future
generations.
What are those preparations What propose is:
First, to look well and narrowly into the opera
ton OF Our financial system; To provide the proper
securities for an ample revenue against the con-
ungency OF war, ana the consequent interruptions
OF foreign trade; TO give every encouragement
within the competency OF the National Government
10 the improvement and extension OF internal com
inerce; and especially TO establish direct over
land communication, by the construction Of a rail
way between the valley of the Mississippi and the
Pacific coast.
the country their full efficiency and devehpm
Il becomes our duty 10 guard With increased vig
lance against all causes of sectional irritation and
TO eradicate, as far as possible, from the national
councils and policy, the seeds Of sectional strife,
we would the deadly ME htshade from our grounds;
not by prescription and denuncation, but by cui-
tyating spirit OF mutual ierbearance and conci-
liation.
Thirdly, to strengthen cur national defences; 10
place them upon footing which may not leave
The country EXPOSED, in the event Of war, to shame
ful and notifying disasters; and especially TO add
largely 10 our military marine-a measure de-
manded by our extended foreign trade, and the
manifest inadequacy OF the present naval establish
mentto give To II that protection and security which
i necessary even in time Of peace.
From statement, the most authentic and relia-
bic have been able 10 procure, of the present
naval armaments OF the States of Europe il appear 3
that Great Britain can put afoat fleet Of 67S ell
fectivc war vessels OF all cassesl so of which
propelled by steam-with an aggregate compile
ment Of $4,000 guns. The French navy consists
oil 32S elective war vessels, with aggregate Of
5000 guns. Russia has a feet Of l76 effective
war vessels, with an aggregate complement of
6,o0O guns. The proportion OF steamers IN
the na,ies o; France and Russia am not able to
ct re upon any reliable authority; but from state
Inentsi have seer, End which attach some credit
10, the war steamers OF toe French navy may be
set down at one hundred. That was the number
authorized by the government Of France in 1915
viii not extend these remarks by any notice of
the naval establishments Of the inferior maritime
pover OF Europe; but AIN the Senate will take
an interest in the statement am bile TO make Of the
navy OF the United States, which consists Of scv.
cnytix effective vessels of all classes i'm an ag
gregatc complement OF 2,250 guns; and of thesc
vessels SIX are propelled By steam!
Snch IS the naval force that must rely upon
Tor the protection oil the hon of our flag,
merce, which pene,raies every sea accessible 10
American enterprise, and an ocean frontier Of 900
miles in extent!
Such Is tho beggarly and miserable preparation
oil the means OF maritime warfare either offensive
defensive, with which proc eed provoke and in
suit the great powers VI continental Europe! Why,
SIR single fact ought 10 be sufficient awaken la
the tnnds oil the people Of this country lively ap
prohension OF the perils of the condition in whigh
we may he placed. Our communication at the
moment with California aud Oregon, for all pur-
poses OF effective supply and defence is by sea,
CURING an average voyage OF four thousand miles
~ the Isthmus route, and OF sixteen thousand
Iuiies, and not lees than six months time ii tn,
a. A. m ind
the Straits OF Magellan. IL will thus be seen az a
glance that either Of the maritime powers VI Eu
rope whose nasies have alluded 10 could in one or
two months time SO efIcciually block up our only
reliable communication with California and Oregon
AZ 10 DEFY all the resources Of this country short OF
year or two's preparation 10 reopen it.
but { at u not the most lamentable and morti
lying aspect oi the ondiiion Ut aiiairs in THE
Try. Az a period OF time when all the eastern
world may be regarded trembling upon tho
verge Of cOnvuleion and change; when principles
most vital and mOmentous TO mankind threaten 10
become the subject Of universal conflict; at period
when We may be exposed 70 4 hostile combination
OF all tie great powers Of continental Europe; at
such period as this, under such circumstances a.
these, what are the prevalent idcas, aud passions,
and cares which occupy American politicians and
statesmen The passion for place and position
the idea Oi power Thesc arc the ideas aud
passions which control every great interest in this
country; every branch Of public policy, internal
and external, foreign and domestic commerce.
fnunif atoms, the public decnccs all, all are bc.
come but secondary considerations, neglected or
moulded into shapes and forms subservient TO the
purposes or adapted ~ the exigspces OF the great
the eternal conflict which goes whose hand,
OF what clique, or faction, party. shall be made
tbc depositary from time 20 time, Of the power and
patronage VI the Government. Even the slave
question could not os-apc the predominant and
controlling passion Of tie times ginaliy stiInu
lated into being and wrought up to lie present
complexion by the Fame inter esis II is indcb ed for
all 10 present disturbing vitality 10 the necessities
and exgencies OF there factions parties, If you
please 90 dignity them by the name, including, IL
you choose, the parry 20 VIII ch bei0ng.
would not DO ~ great an act Of discCurtesy or
injustice 20 the honorable members who grace ihis
chamber by their prescnce aud cnie hten IL by
their counscis. nor 90 the politicians aud Statesmen
OF the country generally 10 deny that there are
many individual exceptions 10 the general aver
ncnt have made 40 10 the passi0ns and nnueucts
which control public Affairs But. with this expa.
nation, repeat that all political calculation. and
spec ulaiions verge 20 one end. One idea rcigns
triumphant throughout the snd--ihe idea Of
power. And this, too, at such period in the al
fairs II the wOrld-ibis, too, IN the American Re-
public Well may We invoke the spirit and tho
OF Washington Ia inspire with wisdorn,
and kindlc once more in our bOsOms the flame Of
revolutionary paifioiism.