The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1862-05-22
SPEECH OF GEN. HIRAM VALBRIDGE
OF NEW YORK,
AT TAMMANY HALL, AUGUST q, 1896,
on THE
Reorganization OF the Navy.
OF NEW YORI

From the New orIl Herald, August %, 1861
Gen. HIRAM WALBRIDGE was then in
tro9uced and said -
Fellow citizens The conclusion Of the
recent terrible war in Europe was follow
cd by Congress at Paris, of the repre-.
sentatives of those belligerent powers, to
determine the relations in future between
themselves, and an earnest desire to in
corporate into the recognized code of mod
ern nations the adoption by the United
States of the four propositions =
1st. That privateeriug is, and remains
abolished.
ID The neutral flag covers enemy's
goods, with the exception of contraband
of war.
3D. Neutral goods, with the exception
Of contraband of war, are not liable tocap-
ture under the enemy's flag.
4th Blockades, in order to be binding,
must be effective that Is to say, main
tanned by force sufficient really to pre-
vent access to the coast of the enemy.
As the second aad third of these prop
ositions have long since become the DOM
inant sentiment of the American people
on this subject, aud the fourth Is recog-
nized among all modern nations, the Con
gress Of Paris insisted upon the indivisi-
bility oc the four propositions, thereby
endeavoring 10 force our Government not
TO call into exercise, in any future con-
fict that may arise, the gigantic and grow
ING commercial marine of the United
States While Sardinia and the subordi-
nate States of Europe, from the feebleness
of their resources, apd their geographical
position, were obliged to accede to this
demand, our General Government. with
becoming dignity and self-respect, have
resisted, in decided and energetic terms,
this innovation upon a policy We have
hitherto SO successfully pursued-a policy
which, during the last war with Great
Britain, secured for us some of our great
est maratime triumphs, and everywhere
redounded to the honor and glory Of our
flag. | congratulate you, my friends,
that amid all our domestic dissensions, and
amid all the violence. tumult and disOr-
der that have for several months prevailed
in Congress, the able and democratic ad-
ministration OF our foreign affairs at Wash
ington can challenge the respect and ad-
miration of all classes Of our fellow citi-
zens Our policy is peace, but our guar
antee for its preservation is the ability and
power to maintain it, whether disturbed
by intestine disorder, or the force Of hos
tile arms. We are, my fellow citizens,
approaching the period when it becomes
the privilege, as it is the duty of the
American citizen, to exercise the highest
political function in designating represen-
tatives to fill important trusts III the exec
utive and legislative departments of the
General, as we'll as in our own State gov
eminent. No such spectacle is elsewhere
exhibited on this globe. An intelligent
and patriotic people, conyening in their
primary assemblages to review and discuss
not only the grave matters which affect
them as nation, and as member of the
family of nations, but to bring to the test
of public judgment the opinions and char
acter of those who are candidates for our
sufrages to fill various important posts
of honor and responsibility. There is
no greater error than to suppose that
mere politicians are the men 8ho mark
out the policy and prescribe the line of
action in matters which concern the vel
fare of the republic. Nor let it be suppo-
sed that the mere politician or party lea
ders Of the hour can fashion for themselves
and control the affairs Of the American
people In Great Britain they have the
three great estates of King, Lords, and
Commons but in America we have one
far more powerful than either-an uufet-
tered and independent press. That nigh
ty agency which has revclutionized gov
ernments, and advanced the cause Of civ
ilization throughout the world. What
has it not already achieved? Can politi-
cal profigacy, public mismanagement of
public interests, or any social evil, stand
unchecked or unawed before its scrutini-
zing glance? Where it lives liberty has
vitality, power, and protection where it
is not found, there is the grave Of popular
freedom. The history of the last eight
years, in Europe and America, presents a
contrast which no citizen can examine
without feeling debt of gratitude, which, |
as generation, we owe to the illustrious /
men who laid broad. and deep the tounda-
tions of the American Union. During
this brief period in Europe, whilst car
mage and death have sacrificed hetacombs /
of brave men in advancing the cause Of I
despotism ana tyranny, the American peo-
ple peaceiully progressed ia all the elc- /