Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1865-02-16

powerful and determined an adversary I?
In such contingency, would Seaators say
they had exercised 4 wise and prudent
economy and judicious foresight in letting
the northern coast remain in its present
condition.
Do Senators reflect that two hoetile ma
tions would then only be divided by q belt
OF water, open to both powers, and in some
places 50 narrow that citizens Of the rival
countries can hail each other from the op-
posing banksI ISthe Government wholly
to neglect these vital interests Of ours, be-
cause they hope peace will always smile
upon our borders I? Has English neutrali-
ty ~ the last year been 30 satisfactory to
Us that we have felt no disturbance or s,l-
noyAnce at its exercise7 Have cur vessels
7oyaged in safety and security, relying in
good faith upon the neutrality Of our
neighbors2 Have our women and children
slept in peace in our great cities along the
lakes, while the order of major general of
the United States called upon our citizens
to rally for the defense OF their persons
and property from expested viOlenee2 Let
the record of last season answer. Our YES
sells, their seamen and passengers made
prisoners, the defeated plots Of Assassins
and oonspirstors to burn and destroy cur
cities, the Thousands of armed men patrol
ling our streets at midnight in anticipation
Of attack, answer these .questionsl '
But i is said in eaIe Of war We could I'M
provlse feet Of private vessels amply suf-
feient to sweep away any enemy upon the
Lakes. Is this soP If q summers sun
shone to-day upon us, and Great Britain
Wsa to send one or two iron gunboats upon
the Lakes, with war declared, where are
our means of prompt resistance before
property of fabulous amounts could be de-
stroyed2 No ironsides-no cannon or can.
non bslls-no powder or armament of any
kind belonging to the Government to seize
upon In case Of emergeney-not even .
tow-line furnished BY the nation, to tie q
private vessel at the docks, while fitting
out 10 meet the enemy. This may be q
wise economy, and the judicious exercise of
that prudence which in time of psacO pre-
pares for war, but we are unable to see it.
1t is said, if we build nsvy-yards and
vessels of war along the lakes, ut will pro-
woke the very war we seek to avoid" Not
SO. Nations hold the respect of tho sOorId
just in proportion to their ability to cam
9s'azsd Il. Did Brasil provoke war with
Great Britain last year, when the ship Of
this last power seized 10 the harbor OF Rio
(under the very guns Of the defences she
despised) her merchant vessels and held
them by the strong arm, until Brazil was
compelled to yield to the logic of superior
force Did Denmark provoke war with
her powerful neighbor when they found
her incapable of resistance and too weak
to hold her dominion sgRinst violence and
fraud Is Russia likely to provoke wal
with France and England, by building
upon every available point where she could
| be attacked, fortiAcStions Of defence thai
hold her In an iron embrace, and leave hel
people fearless and in safety Let the
situation of these different countries TO-DAY
answer these inquiries.
Most of you are familiar with, and many
of you have Eeen the magnificent monU
mehts Of engineering skill and strength
that line the channel on either side Of thu
EJench and English east. Are not these
powers constantly strengthening every arm
of their military and naval service-sddiuf
yearly new means for their safety and pre-
tectionf Are not England and France
upon cordial terms of amity2 But it Is
friendship based only upon mutual inter
est, fear and respect. Only because, il
ease Of war, they understand There will b
blows to take as well as blows TO give
And when you have looked at these riVa
Notifications, and listened TO the salute
| given in friendship and courtesy to thC
hsgs of either nation, you must have beer
profoundly impressed with the obYioui
truth, that so long as the passions and sv
sriee of mankind remain unchanged, 81
long will these iron-toDgued monsters re
Usin the truest and most lasting peace
makers of the world. 1t seems to Us, then
that the necessity for the establishment o
q nAvy-ysrd upon the lakes, supplied with
all the stores and materials for the same
has become absolute and imperative. AnC
We respectfully submit when the cities 0
Chicago, Milwaukee, Toledo, Detroit
Cleveland, Buffalo, and other places concul
IN asking Congress for this specific legl4la
lion, they have fairly won the right to e1
| pect their wishes to be promptly granted
And if the question OF expenditure is t.
control at last the decision OF this question
allow me 10 suggest, if the Governmen
would appropriate its revenue for q Singl
year from the city Of Cleveland alone, Z
this object we will furnish at that city
navy yard Of largest dimensions, located i
the most convenient and central point upol
the lakes, and build gunboats enough to, q
least, satisfy the people along the Who'll
frontier that the United States has navs
force upon the lakes, amply sufficient, an
ready at a moments notice, to repel an,
Il fOroa EI-alry fo ko oopf oOoireA it
We earnestly hope that the resolutioi
now before you will receive your favorabl
regards, and that the Senate will act upo
it at its earliest convenience. si.rF
RICHARD O. PARSONS.
GEORGE B. SENFER-