New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1861-12-28
The Naval Bill.

JEFF. Thompson's boys have turned up in the
House, Judging from the way the Naval bill Jared
at their hands Their effective blows sent the mon
ster staggering back from the portals of the State
Treasury, till the people, during the recess can in
struct and counsel their Representatives to put
stay upon such profigaey. This action defers
further legislation on this two million and half
measure, to benefit private persons at the expense
Of the State, till the 9th of January In the MEAN
time let the people notify their Representatives Of
their refusal to accept and scorn of, such fragrant
RIGHTEOUSNESS. The masses are patriotic enough
to sanction any reasonable draft upon their purses
or blood, but will inevitably repudate the conduct
OF men who attempt to place the last ounce upon
their already heavily strained backs. The war tax
will, just at this time, swell into millions. The
State will assume all parish debts contracted to de-
tray the expenses of equipping their respective
volunteer companies. The enormous obligations
assumed by the city of New Orleans to organize
her splendid contribution of citizen sodery to the
Confederate service, and to prepare defenses
against contingency of capture. The people are
willing and anxious to meet these necessary ex-
penditures. To nfict any futile and frivolous tax
for speculation and imaginary objects cannot be
countenanced for moment. 'tJetf's boys" must
make foray upon such maraudng expeditions
against public property.
There is no legtimately tangible reasons for the
adoption of the present measure. The amount
specified in the bill s utterly short of capacity to
build navy. Ten times those millions would be
inadequate to the purpose ostensibly contemplated.
The mere issuance of the State bonds are unable
to call into existence naval power sufficient in
strength and guns and men to cope with the United
States for supremacy at sea. With few trivial
exceptions, that Government owns all the ships
that used to protect the greatest commerce and
Vindicate the name and honor of the most prosper
GUS nation of the globe. We would like to whip
the Yankees everywhere, on water as effectually
as we have demonstrated our prowess on land.
But even the Confederate Government cannot, un-
der present circumstances, organize a navy where
is the ability of Louisiana to do what the combined
power and resources of eleven other patriotic and
wealthy States dare not attempt to perform? Do
We distrust Mr.. Davis? The passage of bill tax
ing Louisiana to build and support navy, whose
achievements are expected to benefit each and all
of her sister Sates most assuredly looks as if the
Confederate Government had abused our conf
dence in its inability to protect the interests for
whose preservation we went to war. Gov. Moore's
annual message does not call for. navy. Mr..
Davis has made no such request. Com. Holns,
as member of the Naval (House) Committee re-
port, is unable to see any necessity either of
son or policy for such ameasure. Then why pull
upon the purses of an impoverished but patriotic
people, to do what has not been demanded, and ia
uncalled for by our authorities, is 30 expensive
and unconstitutional? No reason Of public
character exists for its enactment. Doubtless
specuatng owners of rotten and idle steam crafts
and oyster sloops would be glad to accommodate
the State after the passage OF the BILL but the tax
payers must be unwilling to accommodate them.
Neither the country people nor city people are so
desirous to support the shipping interest now ide
as to vote them two millions and half under pre-
| text of renovatng their hulks into navy.
| Let "Jeff's boys y stand true to their record
and trusts. [Baton Rouge Advocate 22d.