Washington sentinel., 1854-03-31

He weuld waive the right TO save the Union. He
commended that il was the duty of the government
to protect slavery as any other property in the
Territories; and in conclusion, defended the in
sttution of slavery and elequently contended for
the rights of the south.
i MIR. BENTON said that, from the war Of 1912
70 the present time, the question of navy, more
or less, has been the theme of American states
4 men. II seemed to be admitted on all hands that
we must have one. How much, was the ques-
tlon and that question was governed by consider
atoms national in themselves and by others indis-
pensabiy connected with our position. A navy for
defence was granted and navy for the protectio
of commerce was granted but when we come TO
navy OF conquest, and navy 10 contend with
the navies OF the world, that was another aues-
ton, which was not granted by the early founders
of the republic. Ours is contnent not an island.
our policy is peace, not aggression il is defence,
not conquest. This is our policy and this was
the doctrine Of the earlier times. Al standing armv
has always been condemned by the American peo.
pie; a standing navy, navy in time Of peace, was
long rejected by the American people. We have
been going on ever since 1872 laying broad foun-
dation of the navy. He believed we have seven
navy yards while the British have two and not
withstanding this, these frigates proposed TO be
constructed by this bill may be built by private
contract, according 10 the discretion of the Secre-
tary of the Navy. This looks discouraging What
would gentlemen think of a man having Eve mills
carrying his tub of corn to neghbor's 10 have il
i grounds Laughter .rt , &.st6
He thought it was radical error in undertak-
ing TO build up navy TO contend with the world
for the dominion of the seas. He thought, too,
that the policy of stationary squadrons was mis-
taken one. Il was British policy. The British
| government has squadrons for the island al
4 home, end squadrons for its possessions in all
quarters of the world. We have no inducement
TO follow their plan Of stationary squadrons, and
he could see no adequate reason for keeping up
our five stationary squadrons. After dwelling on
this subject at some length, he said he was for
cruisers; and that the building of ships in time of
peace was building them 10 rot. He believed that
the business OF creating naves in the countries of
Europe was but contest in ship-buding and
ship-carpenerng; and when they gel the ships they
play the game OF cannon-balls against arms, legs,
and heads, and when all is done, no more is effect
ed in the way of settling questions than if two
private citizens fight at home We want ships
Tor the protection Of commerce, and should go
back to the wisdom of our ancestors.
| Mr.. CLlNGMAN said he expected to vote for
the bill, and that the naval policy originated in the
war of 1912. He did not believe that it was ac-
tually stronger than il was thirty years ago, AT
that time our commerce was one million or twelve
hundred thousand tons, now it is four millions. Ii
the navy thirty-fve years ago was not too strong
| TO protect commerce. it was too weak now.
In 1917 Great Britain followed the old mode Of
shlp-building, erecting lazy hulks and the conse-
quence was, one of our second-class frigates,
such as Porter commanded, could easily keep out
i
| haps, sailing vessels may travel with favorng
winds as last steamer, yet the latter have de-
| cldedly the advantage in all kinds of weather
lie was proceeding with his argument, when the
time TO which the general debate was limited ex-
1 pred
j Mr.. BOCOCK addressed the committee (havng
the privilege OF doing so, he reported the bil)
IN support OF the measure under consideration.
lie replied to portion of the remarks Of Mr..
Benton, and showed that Great Britain had eleven
i carri III. .,r
ship-bulldlng. They could not contend with other
countries at the present day, without keeping pace
with them in the Improvement in naval warfare,
any more than an army with breastpates and he'll
and artillery. II is necessary 10 build the vessels
proposed by the bill. They are needed for the
protection OF commerce; no one pretends that
'hey are 6 lor aggressive purposes.
| Mr. STANTON, of Tennessee, said that, al
though he should vote for the bill, he agreed in
the main with what had been uttered by the gem
| teman from Missouri. He did not, however be-
| ileve that our present naval force is too large
! but thought that we should have vessels of the
! proper kind-such as this measure proposed
Mr.. DAVIS, of Rhode Island offered an amend
ment that three of the said ships shall be given out
by contract; but that no one contractor shall
build more than one hull and engine. He did NOT
want navy as large as that Of England or France,
nor did he wish descent on Cuba. Vessels, he
SAID, could be built by private contract at one
hall the cost at the government yards.
Mr.. CUMMING opposed the amendment, show
ing that the vessels built by private contract for
the government could not be depended on
| The amendment was rejected.
Mr.. PHILLIPS moved an amendment, propos.
ing, 10 build, in addition 10 the six first. class
steamers, two sloops-of-war.
MT. BOCOCk opposed the amendment, appre-
hending that il would embarrass the success of
the bill
Mr.. LYON proposed TO amend the amendment
by providing for the building of six sloops -ot.war
Mr.. CHANDLER opposed it, for reasons SINH.
lar to those assigned by Mr.. BococK
Mr.. GROW was opposed to voting any more
money until the contract with Collins, and Sloo
and Company, shall have been terminated, or until
notice TO this effect shall have been given He
advocated naval reform and wanted officers like
Captain lngraham, not old fogies. to command
our vessels. TT
Mr.. BOCOCk replied, saying, in the course OF
his remarks, that no instance could be shown in
our history where an American naval commander
ever proved false 10 his flag
Several other amendments were offered hui All
Of them, after debate, were disagreed TO-
Without disposing ofthe bill, the committee rose
And the House adjourned.
PRESENTATIONS, {t
Mr.. RIDDLE presented the memorial Of Nc.
Cullough " Co., and other citizens of the State of
Delaware, praying Congress to eaualize. in The
revenue laws, the duties on certain classes OF inn,
ported iron
BY Mr.. ELLISON: The petition Of one hun
dred and hftyone citizens of the counties OF High