The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1862-05-14

HORks NJ T0m10oy k11ll, A0G. N. l0J6. On
the Neorga ni1aasom Of the navy.
From the New York Herald, Angus, 2, 1856
General Hiram Walbridgs Vas then insroduc-
ed. and said:-
Fellor Citi.eas: The conclusion of the recent
terrible war in Europe, vas followed by 3 Con,
gress At Paris. of the representatives OF those
belligerent aud formidable Powers, to determine
the relations in future between themselves, and
an earnest desire to incorporate into the recog.
nized code Of modern nations the adoption by
the Uaitsd States Of the four propositions-
LIST That Privateering 10, and remains abol-
ished
I'd. The neutral Gag covers enemy's goods,
With the exception Of consraband Of war.
Sd. Neutral goods. with the exception of con.
trssand OF var, are not liable to capture under
the esemy's Gag.
4sh. Blockades, in order to be binding, must
b effective; that isto ay, maintained BY force
sufficient really to prevent access to the coast of
the enemy.
s Az the second and third of these propositions
have long since become the dominant sentiment
OF the American people on this subject. aod the
fourth 10 recognized among all modern nations,
the Congress Of Paris insisted upon the indivis
ibilify Of tie four propositions, thereby endea-
voring to force our Government not to call into
exercise. in any future coufict that may arise,
the gigantic and Commercial growing Marine Of
the United States.
While Sardinia and tie subordinate States Of
Europe, fren the feebleness Of their resources,
and their geographical position we're obliged TO
accede to this demand, our General Government,
with becoming dignity and self respect, have re-
sisted, in decided and energetic terms, this inno
v.,ion upon policy We have hitherto 50 success.
fully pursued (C5eers)-a policy which, during
the last war with Great Britain, secured for US
some Of our greatest maritime triumphs, and ev-
erywherc redOunded to the honor and glory of
our aag. (Applause.)
| congratulate you, my friends, that amid oil
Our domestic dissensions, and amid oil the tu.
multi, violence and disorder that have for several
ocratic administration Of our foreign affairs at
Washington, can challenge the respect and ad-
miraton of all classes of our fellow citizens
applause
Our policy is peace, but our guarantee for its
preservation is the ability and power to maintain
it, whether disturbed by intestine disorder, or the
forcs of hostile arms. We are, my fellow citi.
zens, approaching the period when 1t becomes
the privilege, a. it is the duty of the American
citizen, to exercise the highest political function
in designating representatives to gil important
trusts in the executive and Legislative depart
ments Of the General, a. we'll Is in our own
State government. No such spectacle ia else.
where exhibited on this globe. An intelligent
and patriotic people, convening in their primary
assemblagss to review and discuss not only the
grave matters which affect them as nation, and
a. a member of the family of satisBs, but to
bring to the test Of public judgment the opiaions
and character Of those who are candidates for
our suffrages to gil various posts Of honor and
responsibility.
There 10 no greater error than to suppose that
mere politicians are the men who mark out the
policy and prescribe the line of action in matters
which concern the welfare of the republic Nor
let it be supposed that the mere politician or
party leaders Of the hour can fashion for them
selves and control the affairs of the American
people. In Great Britain they have the three
but in America We have one far more powerful
than either-an unfettered and independent
press. (Cheers.) That mighty agency which
has revolutionzed governments, and advanced
the cause Of civilization throughout the world
What has it not already achieveds Can politi-
cal profigacy, public msmanagement of public
interests, or any social evil, stand unchecked or
snawsd before its scrutinizing glance? Where
it lives liberty has vitality, power aud protection
where it 10 not found, there 10 the grave of pop.
ular freedom.
The histsry of the last eight years, in Europe
and America, presents q contrast which no citi.
zen can examine without feeling debt of graft.
tude, which, as . generation, We owe to the il.
lsstrious men who laid broad and deep the foun-
dasious Of the American Union. Daring this
brief period in Europe, whilst carnage and death
have sacrificed hecatombs Of brave men in ad
| vaHcing the cause Of despotsm and tyranny, the
American people peacefully progressed in all the
| elements of power and prosperity that consti
tutes national renown. (Cheers.)
How striking the contrast. The national deb,
Of Great Britain reaches the enormous sum a,
| the close of the Crimean war, OF three thousand
seven hundred and eighty millions of dollars
whilst the aggregate indebt edness of the great
Powers OF Europe-France, Holland, Russia
., Sp.'n; sns't'--; ,; ..A Asstria, attained
| TO which may be added the debt of British Ipdi,
amounting to two hundred and FORTY millions.
In contrast to this, turn to the working of thai
beautiful political system under which Proyi
denee has cast our lot. In this brief period te
which We have alluded, the unprovoked va,
with Mexico has been ended. our army with
drawn, the citizen seldier has laid aside m,
sword and resumed the peaceful pursuits sf life
The debt of the United States nav be set dovr
- nething. The swelling revenues for the las
several years have been such a. to absorb ant
mako it matter Of computation and difficult,
% the part of the authorities of the Genera
Govsrnment, to purchase and ex inguish the pub
lie securities The annual receipts from 1eve
nue. amount TO sevsnty.6ve millions. The ad
vance in every department of civilized life ha,
almost exceeded belief. A territory washed By
two great oceaas-a people in peace and unusua
prosperity. We have an internal trade Of si,
huedred millions, in which eleven millions Of ou
people are directly concerned, as al have gen
sral interest. Tho annual value Of our agricul
taral productions is two hundred millions-th,
single staple Of Iudian corn alone reaching fou
hundred millions of bushels. The amount o
capital invested in manufactures is six bundres
millions. The annual value Of the products o
labor, other than agricultural, fifteen hundre,
millions. The value Of our farms and live stock
over i've hundred niions. Our coal fields cove
Q surface Of 240,00 o square miles. We hav,
Is, ,0e0 miles Of railway in operation, at q cost o
six hsndrsd and fifty millions; with sea coss
Of twelve thousand six hundred miles; Eve thou
aand miles OF canals. and Eve great lakes, with
surface Of TIVE hundred thousand square miles
Our mines Of gold, silver, cinnabar, copper, lea
and iron, are not surpassed in the world, as to-
treasures OF California have demonstrated, an,
the extraordinary wealth Of the minerals Of LAX
Superior have abundantly proved.
! We have within our republic six thousan
academies. two hundred and Fifty colleges, an
four thousand churches. In those great inte,
ess that concern not only the whole Union, bu