The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-03-13
" CONGRESSIONAL.
REMARKS OF HON, ). A. QUiTmAN,


On the message of the President Of the United States
ommendtng an appropriation oil 5000 600 for preparing
armahenN and summation for forhcahons improving
smalFarms &c delivered in the House of Representa-
uvee, February N, 1856
Mr. QUITMAN. have but little to say ON this subject
for believe that the House is already prepared
favorable determination OF the matter aud will therefore
pehy present The points TO which desired 10 direct the
aten ton of members M##
did not make the motion to refer this message to the
Comcee Military Affairs for any reason personal to
heyed and now think majority of the House will
win me- that II the proper and appropriate committee
TO take charge Of the subject For the purpose of drawing
the attention of the House 10 The points in issue will read
the Presidents message which with The accompanying let
ter OF The Secretary War; il is proposed to REFER 1t is in
these words: . s...
70 the House Of Reresentatises. s
herewith transmit recommend to the favorable con-
sideraon OF Congress- communication from the Secretary
war asking special appropriation OF ~ GOO to
pare armaments and ammunition for the orteatons to in
the supply of improved small arms, and apply
cent to of old patterns seunging
=, FRANKLIN PIERCE.
WAsHIseroN, February 20, 1856.
Here appropriation is asked for three purposes each
and every one OF which, no member Of this House will de-
NY relates TO subjects the consideration of which belongs
most appropriately to the Committee Military Affairs
The subjects which gave rise to this message the
War Department The Secretary in the discharge of his
perVisory duties has thought fit to report to the President
that although the country is in the ordinary state prepara
ton for its defence with the usual supply of
o our armoreS and that The
heretofore adopted in the preparation of and
uons is found toe gradual and slow to keep pace with
recent improvements which have been made and
the kind of ammunition required in their use and there
fore to secure additional degree Of efficiency he
mends some more vigorous and active than the
gradual and slow towards these objects which
the existing force III armores and the hereto
fore employed will permit In this Ito has done what 1t
was his duty to do-~what might with propriety,
have been done heretofore, in profound peace and
without anticipation of war. Every in this House
daV wit he lplpr that
going on In the making of firearms and the adaptation
OF ammunition and loading process to these new inven-
non some more than ordinary movement is necessary to
Keep pace with them in our military preparations.
We may learn lesson from Europe this subject
The nations at war there, Notwithstanding their old ln
tary preudees are not slow to avail themselves OF these
improvements though they may be American inventions
They are compelled to abandon the old prejudice against
that peculiar American weapon~the rifle The old-style
muskct has 70 great extent been thrown aside aud the
improved rsae Or arooSed san long kaown to our hua
ers has been adopted the most ecient weapon Of
re Our people have not enly exeelled all Others In It's
use but the inventive genus Of Americans has carried IL
to It's greatest state Of Improvement.
By transmitting and recommending the suggestions Of
the Secretary Of War; the President informs that the
estimates heretofore made did the expenditures
necessary for this accelerated preparation now recon-
mended and therefore II Congress shall concur in the
suggestions OF the Secretary he desires the necessary
preparation to carry out these changes and improvements
The amount required may appear large but il should be
remembered that with even slight change in the arm
an entire new supply not only of ammunition adapted to
1t but accoutrement for its use will be required give
no opinion as to that 1t will be time enough when
shall conclude that the suggestion be adopted.
The suggestions OF the Secretary of War; then are in
substance that more active policy than that heretofore
acted on DE adopted in bringing into the recent i'm
provenens made in firearms aud munitions of war; that
the force of artisans employ ed in their be
increased and that full supply of for orf-
cations ammunition aecoutreDents and military supplies
adapted to their be provided These are all proper
ecls OF inquiry for the Committee on Military Affairs. 1t
me that these suggestions are at all times proper for
the consideration OF Congress Because we peace
should we not improve military service? Does the
recommending these suggestions necessarily imply that
the Executive anticipated state OF war; Yet the gen.
ueman from Kentucky, Mr. II. MARSHALL on yester.
day. undertook TO pronounce this a war message lie
seemed to think that it BODIED impending war with Eng
land Now 1t seems to that he s unnecessarily alarmed
at recommendation that should more rapidly than
heretofore avail ourselves of the improvements in the ART
of war especially when these inventions have originated in
the genius Of our own people Is it of alarm that
we should endeayor not to be behind other nations In a
plying military service inventions which have gprunp
from American lntellect2 Sir see in this message or the
accompanying letter Of the Secretary of War ausion
10 our relations with other powers Neither Of these docn-
ments breathes hint that such OF things likely
occur Yet the honorable gentleman from Kentucky pro-
nonnces 1t war message and therefore, desires to send II
20 the Committee OF ths Whole the of the Union
know Of the sentiments of the administration
this than may be collected from the public sources
which are accessible to the gentleman from Kentucky
but in my opinion, shall have war unless England
and France in the expectation Of the pacfcaton Of Eu.
rope are Oent upon interference with American affairs
When they do voice and trust that Of the whole
country, will be for Such interference however by
arms do not expect see inasmuch II would indicate
entire change Of policy The failure of that ambitious
power, Great Britain TO resort to force the annexation
OF Texas her failure TO nterpose in the with Mexico
sgnh ant events aud lead my mind to the conclusion
that whatever may have been her former designs she
determined not to pursue her schemes of conquest
acquisition In America at the hazard Of a war with
the United States but rather TO turn her efforts for ma
tonal sggrandizemeut other parts of the world Sh,
may by diplomacy by intrigue with neghbors and by
omenng dlssensons among ourselves fatal TO the harmony
and Tepose or these Staea attempt cripple ms whom
she regards great rival power; but she will scarcely
venture to provoke actual hostlties with the United
/ States. There ties which restrain her with all he
tical and social CONFUSION among her people No
only do many Of her subjects sympahize with our bers
institutions but II is estimated that three millions
her citizens dependent for occupation and bread
the cotton with which supply her will not say tina
that great and proud power esrs viii
us but British statesmen know full well that th
military energies Of this great people aroused would
exhibit power In rarely equallcd. They have
forgotten the Of l8l2 have they failed to deduc
lessons Of wisdom from the extraordinary Of
arms in the more recent war with Mexico. lnasmpch
then, as do not believe that between coun
try and England viii arise out Of mere diplomats
Misunderstanding and only grow out of change
her policy IN regard to the extension Of her dominion
this continent shall not expect II until such change
further indicated To TO the subject Of discussion
II this message under the view Of taken by the gentle
from Kentucky should be referred 10 the Committe
of the Whole the state Of the Union will II not 20 forth
10 the country the opinion of this House that in
tended by the President as a message and TINS no
only tend 10 embarrass negotiations with England bu
be also productive of Immediate and serious injury
homeand all this Of the msginngs of gentlemen tina
a add defences and adopt