Washington sentinel., 1854-04-06

prepare 10 sustain ourselves manfuly. All these
considerations urge on US the necessity of prepa
ration--preparation for defence, mean, and not
Tor aggression, And there is no mode so appro-
pirate as proper increase of our navy. Your
iortIfcaton system for our Atlantic coast, if per-
ieeted, would only afford partial protection at best
II has. however, been for years past neglected
indeed almost abandoned. The forifcations
which ask are the wooden walls, which const
iuted the boast and glory of Athens. We have
been told by some, for whom entertain great
spsct, that Pacific railroad may be necessary TO
transport troops for the defence of our Pacific
coast. II that coast is 10 be attacked il will be
rom the sea. Then give US naval force 10 meet
the invaders and il will be far more efficient than
a railroad.
Every instinct Of selfpreservaon, every prn-
clpie OF patriotism, requires that we should
strengthen our navy.
The man who would fail TO do so, it seems 10
me, pursues policy rash and mad as he who
on sutry summer evening, would stand out and
see the clouds gathering on every side, charged
with electricity and rain, and, with bare head and
naked bosom, would, Lear-lke spit at the storm
and defy its rage.
Allow me few words, in conclusion upon the
subject OF a reorganization of the navy. II is a
declaration general among writers and public
speakers, that the navy needs reform. This COM
mon assertion makes it the duty of Congress TO
inquire into the matter, and TO give the country
satisfaction in regard TO il. fthe navy is already
ought to know il, and the clamor be hushed Ii
however, il is decrepit, crazy and efie,e il is the
duty OF Congress 10 apply the remedy. You
have sufficient proof that the Secretary of the
Navy viii faithfully and ably cooperate with you
In your efforts. can pledge TO you. think with
safety, the laborious services OF the Committee ON
Naval Affairs, and the rest must be left with YOU.
One thing, however, would enjon on you in all
earnestness. If the recommendation of the Sec
rotary, or of the Committee on Naval Affairs does
no n lnf han
the navy 10 its fate. Discuss our propositions
show their defects, and propose proper measures
of legislation. If this Congress shall adjourn
without some searching and thorough action in
regard 10 the navy, the just expectation of the
people will be disappointed, and, in my humble
opinion, our duty 10 our country will not be dis
charged.
hope shall be excused for this admonition.
made in the humblest spirit, and designed am
sure, with the best intentions. II is mistake 10
suppose that great part of the country, in its IN
terror sections, has no interest in the navy. |
know that those regions on the ocean shores have
the most immediate interest. The material for the
navy is supplied from their midst. The officers
and men are their friends and acquaintances. The
commerce whichit protects is carried on chiefly by
themselves. Theirinterest thea, is immediate pal
pable and deeply felt. But the interior has interest
too, and appreciates it, Their products find their way
10 the sea shore, and thence 10 the markets Of the
world. The products ofother lands brought 10 the
of the most remote interior. Destroy the navy
allow the mouth ofthe Mississippi 10 be blockaded
and what would be the condition of the great yalley
ofthat river! commend this consideration 10 the
earnest attention of western men. There is vel a
higher ground of common interest. The glory of
the navy Is the glory of the whole country. How
ever we may indulge in sectional discussions and
sectional feelings at other times, when we come 10
consider our countrys protection and our country's
glory, the discordant Jar of seclionasm should be
hu Sh ed nd "A rQ0I cifi ha 4.
one common brotherhood of patriotism of thank
funess for the past, and of hope for the future.
Among ourselves we may wrange and dispute
about our local and party pecuares OF faith and
the light of the history Of empires, our country
should be one country, and our people should be
one people. So we ought TO feel, and so, in my
judgment, all good citizens do feel. The interior
as well as the ssa-board feels proud in the reco
lection that some of the brightest pages in our
countrys history are emblazoned by our naval tr-
umphs that if our first war Of independence was
fought chiefly on our hills and plains by our brave
and hardy soldiers, the second war of independence
was fought chiefly on the ocean by our gallant and
sturdy tars. If the names of Washington, and
Greene, and Schuyler, and Marion are rendered
immortal by the one, so are those Of Perry and
McDonough, of cambridge and Hull, made scarcely
less illustrious in the last. The premontions of
the future point ominousy to the sea. Shall we
take the warnings 1t is evident that if again we
are forced TO appeal TO the God ofBattes to decide
dispute with foreign nation, the field of his arbi-
trament will be the blue waves OF the ocean, and
his decision will be pronounced from the cloud that
uncovers, as it rolls. away, the blood-drenched
decks Of our shps-ofwar. We must invoke
favorable decision by taking care that our quarrel
is just, and that we show our faith in its justice
by our dieent preparation to maintain it.
The attributes and qualities assigned TO the
heathen gods often singularly illustrative of
philosophical truth; and when Hercules is repre-
sented as refusing TO help the carter unless he
would first seek 10 help himself, a truth is pro-
claimed, wide in its application as ethe family of
man, and extending in its duration to the last sy
liable Of recorded time Let US, in the proud civili-
cation ofthe nineteenth century not be too much
pufed up with vanity to learn wisdom from the
fiction. .fa
Table of The Nnrics of Harions Countries