Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-06-17
Conversational.

paddle wheel steamer of feet draft, at an ag-
gregate of 81 100000
Mr. Hale of New Hampshire moved to strike
out the four Of fourteen feet draft, leaving the
others.
Mr.. Bell of Tennessee, supporting the propo-
eition, made some sarcastic remarks. asking
where were the war spirits who excited us 50
much few days ago. Where was the Senator
from Georgia (Alr Toombs) who had wanted a
war with England any time within these ten
years past? Where was the Senator from Hi
nois, mir. Douglass whose bill, to clothe the
President with extraordinary power, lies on the
table? Where was the Senator from New Hamp-
shire, (Nlr. HALEY who could not agree with the
wise and moderate counsels of the Chairman of
the Foreign Committee (Mr. Mason)? These
war spirits have left no margin for any Senator
following in their wake, except to resolve that
the President shall give orders to capture the
whole British Navy. His (Bells) course was to
prepare gradually and silently for contest,
should it ever come, with that great and AFRO
CANT power. but never to use bravado.
Mr.. Brown Of Mississippi also urged the
present increase of the Navy. Bold words.
such as had been used, require to be followed
by bold deeds. Now IS the time to increase our
ships, when the credit of the country is good,
for in a war with England we must borrow at
ten Or twenty per cent. He would have voted
for twenty additional ships, instead of ten !; for
although he did not SEEK a war with Great
Britain, he would be prepared to maintain the
honor of the country.
Mr.. Toombs of Georgia replied in the same
strain as his former speech-that the United
States can whip the world.
Mr.. Hammond of South Carolina didnotenter-
tain this as war measure, but as measure indis-
pcnsably necessary for our interests as u great
commercial nation. Referring to the tone of
the recent speeches, he said we cannot build
Navy, like Aladdin's Palace, in night We
cannot raise ships by resolutions of Congress-
10 raise an Army you have but to light up the
fires ftom the hill-tops but the construction of
a Navy is work of time. By looking at other
countries, we find the deficiency of our Navy,
compared with our commerce. Denmark,
Sweden, and other small States, have Navies
equal or superior to us.
Mr.. Douglas of Illinois considered that they
should first decide what they were going to do
respecting British outrages before saying what
they will do with the Navy. Are the Senate
willing to confer power on the Executive to re-
pei and avenge the outragcs, by reviving, as his
bill now on the table asks, the Northeastern
act Of 1889? If they are ready to meet the
question OF British aggression, do it on its own
merits, without OVERLAPPING it with resolutions
respecting the Central American Republics.
Every enemy on the face of the earth is defed
by the Committed resolution, except one, and
she the first. Because Great Britain has COM
mtted great outrages upon US, therefore we will
turn round and whip Mexico Nicaragua, Costa
Rica, or punish the Chinese. We have been
told that we will avenge these insults when we
get ready. But when can we be ready to repe
an insult, except when it is given? These re-
peated outrages by different ships and different
officers in various parts of the Gulf, are not ac-
cidental, but the result of orders from Great
Britain. If we are to submit, say no more :;
but, if we are not to submit to insult, then vote
the bill comforting power on the President Mr.
Douglas reviewed the circumstances of the
Boundary dispute, showing the unanimity with
which Congress then acted, and which he now
called on them to emulate.
Mr. Seward ofNew York explained his course
in the recent war debate He was not one of
those who was willing to indicate that any ex-
plantation could be given short of a total aban-
donmest Of the right ofpolice on the seas, and
llo lhu 81 pIttctu IL III HIS TtludThs. l1b iluu
no idea that the British Government will sus-
tain or sanction these outrages. IF they do,
then it is time to meet and redress them The
Senator from Illinois has made an attempt, by
a bill to anticipate the reply from Great Britain
but the country and Congress is against that
proposal, and it lays on the table.
He (Seward) had wished with u contrary view
to extend the session till explanations can be
had or the country put in an aggressive attitude
if need be. These ten sloops of war cannot be
taken as a war measure. They add but hun
bred guns to the Navy. He agreed with the
Senator from Georgia, that the country was
never in a better attitude for war than now
either for defense or aggression. We began the
revolution without an army or navy, and we
commenced the last war with total revenue of
$4,000 900, while to-day we can have $780,
00O,0 00 We have all the elements of defense,
and no longer that weakness which invites in
suit. Our national character for honor, mod
GRAFTON, committing no injustice, and submitting
to no wrong, is stronger than were Carbars le-
gions on the plains of Pharsalia, or than navy
that would cover the German Ocean.
Messrs. Cameron of Pennsylvania, Hayne of
South Carolina and Others made remarks, and
Mr.. Hale's am ndment was lost-3l against %
Mr.. Hale moved to amend by appropriating
$500, 900 for the machinery of the ship Frank
lin.
Mr.. Clingman moved to add to the amend
ment IS to build ten gun boats"
Mr.. Wilson of Massachusetts, would vote a
small annual increase of the Navy. A good
deal has been said now, as there was before for
mer wars. about weakness for war with Eng
land, but England has givena guaranty peace
inasmuch as she has territory north of us, cov-
ering 5000 square miles with only three millions
of people, which in six months would be ours
He called on the country to use these sloops tt
prevent the slave trade. The resolutions aimed
against the poor, weak Central American States
were dishonor to the American name.
Mr.. Douglas made heightened speech, using
strong war language. He said with England
must be decided not only the right of search
bat her rightso tread the soil of the American
continent.
A lengthy discussion ensued respecting gun
boats, after which Mr.. Clingman's gunboa
amendment was lost by 81 against To-
The original amendment for ten sloops-ol-w wa
was then voted on, and lost by "a against 90
Various unmrortlnt Amendments were thel
adopted and to float the Franklin lost.
Mr.. Mallory again renewed his amendment t.
construct five screw steam sloopsofwar aud on
paddle steamer at a cost of 81 100000 Car
ried by Is against II.
The bill was then passed.
The army bill was taken up, when the Senat'
adjourned.
Houston motion of Mr.. j. Clancy Jono
of Pennsylvania the House went into Committe,
of the Whole on the state of the Union, on til,
Sanate's sixty-four amendments to the Miscella
neous Appropriation bill.
The appropriation of $75O,OO0 for the Cap
itol extension gave rise to debate during which
Mr.. Taylor of New York Intellectually sough
to amend it by provision that no part of tn,
money shall be applied to the interior painting
or decoration of Inc Capitol. He said there
are eminent American artists without employ