Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-02-12

OF midnight oil, who eXpend their
strength in studying the laws of nature, the mo-
tons of the heavenly bodies, and the philosophy
Ofmeehancs. Such men are patriots nay more,
they are philanthropsts in all time. The world
Is their theatre and all mankind their audience
and benefciaries. What does not the world owe
to the philosophy of Bacon And who has not
been charmed and elevated by the great song Of
Milton III ialls upon the ear like the notes Of
the -EOllan harp, and Its strains viii never die.
And yet its great author. was neglected by a
naughty and yoluptuous court, and died on the
reSfrUed list.
Such, sir. are some Of the Illustrations which.
the history of our own and Of other countries.
furnishes, of the value Of this class Of men. and
of the cruel or cold neglect with which they have
generally been treated. Lieutenant Maury was
the last man. 10 whom such a fate was due No
complaint bad ever been made of him. Calumny
and detractiOn had never dared to breathe on his
fair escUtcheOn He seemed to be in the height
of his career and under the smiles Of his country
and government. And well NAV he say -
gate steals along With silent tread
Founi thenrst in what least ue dread,
FroSns 10 The storm with angry brow
but In the sun shine straes the blow"
The act Of Congress to which have referred.
has a very imposing title, but it is the only good
thing in it, To promote the efficiency OF the
Navy ought to be, particularly at the present
time. the ardent desire of every American. ANY
man who reads must see the necessity of It, But
this is not To be accomplished alone by dismiss
ing and degrading its officers, even If they are
unworthy. This remedy reminds one, Of the
quack who commenced his practice, with the
theory that all diseases were i'm the blood, that
nothing would cure but heavy depletion. And
accordingly, his first case being a very violent
one. he proceeded to open the jugular veins, in
order to hasten the exit of the malady. Ii need
not be added that the patient died. l think this
act OF Congress- at least i'm its recent administra-
hs.-.
and iii does not hill, Il will certainly not cure.
These resolutions sir. urge the enlargement
OF the Navy. And we have but TO compare the
number Of our vessels and guns. with those Of
other maritime governments TO see the necessity
of It, Great Britain has about 700 vessels, in
Gliding not fewer than l75 steamers and 10000
guns. France has not less than $50 vessels, in
cluding l20 steamers, aed about 5000 guns.
Russia has about 200 vessels. of which 45 are line
Of battle ships. including so steamers, besides
500 gun boats and 1000 guns. | may not be
strictly accurate in these details, but know |
am in the range Of certainty. The present war
has increased the operations Of all these powers
and there have been few naval engagements, to
diminish this arm of the service The United
States has rs vessels, besides the new frigates
lately provided for, and partially completed. OF
this pmbeT, there are ] line of battle ships but
several ofthem have been placed on the Teserved
hst, like many of the officers The number Of
guns 1900
This sir tells the story of the utter incfficieucy
Of our Navy, if We may call it a Navy at all.
Why sir We do not deserve to De called a mari
time power, and | should dread to see demon
stratou of the test made upon u.s. We are a
maritime nation, but not a maritime power.
/ When we contemplate our commercial marine,
proudly pressing the waters Of every sea- and
I bay and harhor in the known world, We are Elled
/ with amaZement at its extent but when We turn
l 10 contemplate our naval arm, We are filed, or
| ought 10 be filed with shame and even terror.
/ We a rich uatiOn-rich both on land and sea, but
/ on the latter element at least We are rich prey
the richest that ever tempted the eupdity Of
/ the world Other nations have more To gain by
a war with us. in the capture of cur defeneeless
\ merchantmen. than all the mines Of California
\ and Australia are worth. \ harvest Of shame
/ and disgrace awaits Us. in woful contrast with
/ that unriyallcd dominion which is already ours
! in our ocean trade. Our extended seacOast, with
/ few adequate tortfcations-Our unwalled cities
| aud towns, with their wealth and the tecmlng
productions OF the country, are calculated to in
/ vite aggression. To the Navy alone the country
/ must look for protection in the incipient stages
| of a war with any great maritime power. And
what security does our gallant little Navy now
offer in case of an attack on New Ork or Charles
| ton or Mobile. by feet Of British OF French
steamers Is wonld scarcely be able to impede
its progress Remember We are in the reign II
steam power. when the Atlantic can be crossed
l in 10 DAYS. War under such circumstances would
I he "a word and a blow Who believes that n.
We had had an adequate Navy in the war OF
ISl2 the British could ever have effected land
ug upon our shore! Or that our capitol Would
ever have fallen into their hands. W e have many
,lories to recount ard bright pages TO review,
but that chapter in our history which records
the fall of the capitol is charred walls and pol
lntcd sanctaaries can never De read by an Ame-
rican without feelings Of shame and Indignation
would that il could be forgotten But it has
been gravely recorded and viii live forever. Let
Us profit by Is warning lessons
Who does not know. that il was our naval vic
forbes on the Northern Lakes. that frs reused the
dropping courage OF our country The roar OF
their thunder. while it carried terror amongst the
enemy. inspired confidence IN our population
10 the borders ct the Calf The flashes OF
your cannon on Lake Erie, and Lake Champlain-
kindIed mp the first bontires that illuminated the
darkness OF the national despair! Bat with the
occasion the value OF that gallant, but lllappOu-
ted arm was forgotten. The nation has acted
like the miser who, TOO economical 70 procure
insurance ON his house. finds IL AZ length on hre.
Ry good luck and skiliiul action the flame Is ex-
tinguished While tn danger is fresh in his re-
collection he vows never 10 be found without a
policy. Bat be counts his hard dollars and
cbooses 10 incur the risk rather than expend one
hundredth part Of his means 10 indemnify him
[ against a future calamity.
The navy has been beautifully compared 10
..the shepherd dog, that guards and watches The
iock as il b. owses and gsmbols on the neiEhbor-
! ing mountain But your flock has multiplied
and spFead until Is cosefs thousand mountains,
and proper tionate increase l. demanded OF that
same sagacious vigilance, to preserve Il, amid ITS
varied foamings.
Gus eomansrre has spres1 ell over the globe.
There Is nor a haFbor in ths knOwu world IN which
nav not o. seen cur vessels and oar dag competing
ia an the paths Of trade. Unti reeently, and Tor
namher o. wears Ne we're second in the number o.
our vessels and The extent II oar foreign tonnage
Nos. cur vessels number 40, 500 and our tonnage
Gsl 4i6. Willie Great Britain has IS, $50 vessels
and S utg 30 Of tonnage And II ne estimate oui
vsst interest IN dat department a. $50 per ton, VI
have he enormous aggregate Of s2eS.O 500 ex
posed 10 the hazards Of var, With means for 70
orotee;Ion Wholly mad, quate And even IN Iim'
4 a ncses h many portions Of the world IN which
! oar trade Is carried or, encounter The danger
arising from hsli civilized or savage people Who's
: good filth i measured alone By their fears
> Ii this stale d Ehiuss, shat would De an aPpFo
: oriafion OF e.. 0oo, 00Os Nothing. Is woua
: BALD and probably equip thirty screw steamers
e This could De done 10 one year, for Ne have IN
/ mechanic and the materials Of our own aud nothin
= 70 import Sach an outlay might be the means
3 saving ten times that amoent Ia our foreign con
: mercs Il night even save New York o. Boston
r shh their vast Sealib. from eooAAsraiioE. Nay
e ar. 1ond carry The increase Of our Navy oeyon
g mere defensive poiat would make Is he mean
r n prerentaaso strong, that osher salons woai
e not a.re - wade "a aud they eoad pot prey upo
, oar eonmsEes vish0us meeting speedy ana ees'-i