The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-02-05

IL.
the Senate reject the proposed amendment then am
done with The bill 10 nay judgment will then be use
less. We want fifty good captains
MIR. CASS. The honorable senator from New Jersey
rs perfectly right IN his view, sixty. eight captains
needed. How that may be do not know, and | have
no night therefore 10 give an opinion. | shall have 10
ioow the lead oil the senator from New Jersey, IN a
great measure, upon this bill willing 10 vote a
most liberal bill, II necessary But observe that we
are not only 10 have sixy.eight captains, bat twenty
commodores This is The first time that that grade has
been recognised by law. II swell known that the once
OF commodore has hitherto depended upon executive reg
ulatlons. have objection TO It's being introduced
but observe that il makes addition OF twenty COM
manding officers, and wish TO inquire thal 10 heceS
saIy 49,, -,
be taken from The seventy captains leaving my cap
tains
MI. CAsS. But The bill says. twenty commodores
and sixty- eight captains. That is its phraseology
Mr.. HUNTER. There is an amendment proposing
Slr. CAsS beg your pardon did not observe it /;
Mr. STOCKTON The amendment at first proposed
seventy but we have modified H. reducing il 10 fifty.
merely 10 proportion the eommodores and captains more
equally that we propose seventy in all. the twenty
commod dor a,I to come out OF the seventy
Mr.. HUNTER. | would suggest to the senator from
New Jersey that perhaps il would be best to proceed
little gradually Than he disposed do with
Tins bill The leading objects OF the bill | approve
think II would be very well to make retired list, and
very well perhaps 10 classify the officers the senator
proposes to do But does seem to me that if we adopt
this amendment shall increase the number OF officers
nlhe navy very largely for we shall have the present
establishment in actual service besides those upon the
furlough and retired lists think that this is proceeding
rather too rapidly. Would 1t not be better begin by
taking the existing corps of officers; and il shall find
that we have not enough, add them hereafter
is much easier to add 10 the navy than TO diminish IT,
think would be safer to proceed at first upon the basis
OF the existing number; and if hereafter shall find
that it is not effective can add to it.
Mr.. STOCKTON The reason am so DESTROYS to
hasten this bill through the Senate arises the first
place from the conviction that is just and right and
accords with my naval experience and my deliberate
Judgment The other reason is, that | intend, in my
place here at proper time, il nobody else fit 20 do
80, TO make motion 10 Increase the navy OF the United
States. The truth need not be disguised that the navy
OF the united States to be efficient ought 10 he increased
One-hal oil our surplus revenue not IN my opmon'
too much TO go Tor the protection OF California. Let not
senators be startled at this annuncaton 1t is true, and
candor compels me to say What is our young sister
to depend upon now and for years come, for the pro-
lection OF her growing cities and her valuable commerce.
but your navy No, cannon to fire salute! Should
this long coanue TO be so Gentlemen here cavi, and
lind fault with the bill, and complain that may take lew
dollars out OF the public treasury. Sir, ought the de-
fences OF California TO say nothing about your other ex-
tended coasts, be lett in this conditions How can sena-
tors reflect on these things, and say that must not
increase The navy when day after day pronunciamientos
issued from this arsenal OF war like words sgnifyng
not war, certainly, but still walke words, calculated to
fet and Trate foreign nations, and to excite the military
ard0r OF our own people
Sir, whilst these things going on, let me remind
senators that not their only their principal security
from war has laid, and lies, behind the cotton bags
and rice tierces OF the South IL time we should have
something else to rely upon than the avarce OF other
tons II is time that this system. this political game OF
hazard, should be stopped; II worthy 10 enjoy the
benefits OF free government, ought TO be manly
enough to hold them by different tenure. Sir will
undertake TO say that this nation has been more than
once saved from disgrace, If not from irreparable loss
by your cotton bags but remember that there Is point
al which national Indignation will not soop 10 be coun-
seled by national avarce and unless do attend 10 the
deences OF the country the day will come-and perhaps
is even now not dsantwhen you will find the nations
swept from the ocean, your coast, your valuable COM
merce abandoned and the empire OF the seas given up
and all your glory "ihe deep bosom OF the ocean
buried.'
Sir when think of the defenceless forlon condition
of California and when the cold shoulder of this
Senate turned 10 her able and gallant and peTseverng
representatives this floor upon every occasion when
they ask for appropriations for the defence OF that vaua-
BILE and beautiful country-sir, when have heard men
acng speeches here, my heart has sckened for Caifor
MA Can you not appreciate her importance, her value
her beauty See her azure skies full OF health and hap
plness look al her gorgeous mountains full OF gold
look at her beautiful hills, with the luxuant oats grow
ing spontaneously from their base their summit; look
at her Hower-covered valleys eemlng with unsurpassed
fertility; look al her noble, entepr.ng, and gallant peo-
pie, and ask whether they cannot claim protection
from this government. And yet they in most dan
gerous and pitiable condition.
Mr.. President it you should provoke general war
what would be the consequence TO California and to TIN
nation' Sir, as approach this threshold am Wyseli
alarmed-my own reflections alarm me they make me
hesitate before proclaim in the public Senate your I'M
fortunate, your helpless condition need not appeal 10
the imagination of senator's Oh mol Look al Caifor-
MIA, with her immense commercial wealth, her agricu-
tual products, and her bullion, the only protection for
which must be your navy She has other protection
had hoped sir that would be necessary to call
the attention of the Senate TO this subject but when gen.
uemen tell that they opposed TO any increase for
the officers OF the navy seems to be necessary 10 tell
the whole truth, and part OF the truth is that the
mee intend, far il may depend upon Them to in
crease the navy And the army ought to be increased
too; and when both OF the national defence are
placed upon such basis TO insure protection and to
enable us to carry out our paper proclamaons, shall be
ready 10 come 10 the Issue any member OF the Sen-
ate. But, SIR at present impore the Senate to begin
the preparation by passing this bill 1t adds nothing
but little TO your expenses, but II provides honorable
retirement for who have served all their lives and
longer efficient and it affords the best for
raising your active men TO position in which they can
render efficient service TO the country Now, appeal to
senators whether there is anything Objectionable in the
amendment before us. | hope il will be passed upon
without delay
Mr.. MALLORY This is an exceedingly tempting
subject upon which TO address the Senate but II not
my purpose TO cay anything further than 10 offer an
explanation. Ii comes very well from the honorable
senator, who is chairman OF the Committee Finance,
lMr. HUsrER,l TO make this objection In reply to the
objection that the active navy will be increased TO the
extent to which officers placed upon the retired list,
will say that taking basis that there will be eighty
retremcnis-t is unnecessary 10 name the grades bu,