The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1866-03-28
Speech of Hon. +. e. Wood
bridge.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,, MARCH H.

joint resolution providing for the expenses
attending the exhibition of the products
Of industry Of the United States at the
Exposition at Paris, in 1867.
Mr.. Chairman, do not profess to be
particularly economical in my personal
affairs. But certainly do feel when the
Republic is burdened with 80 vast n debt,
and the people are under the pressure Of
sGch unprecedented taxation, that we are
under obligation to practice the strictest
economy in the appropriation Of the pub
lie money.
This is practical question it is not
question where we should discuss our
relations with Europe one way or the
other. Does the project have in itself
virtue enough to justify us in making the
appropriation which is asked 2 l believe
it has, and therefore l shall vote for the
joint resolution. l take the word of my
friend from Massachusetts, Mr.. Banks.
who assures the House that the appro-
priation of 500, 600 will not all be need
ed; that only a portion of it will be re-
quircd.
l confess l was somewhat surprised
when the letter of the Secretary of the
Navy was read, for it might seem to be
fair construction of that letter, that If one
of your frigates is sent out it would cost
$500, 600 to put her in condition to
carry freight, and large sum in addition
to restore her to proper condition for
the use of the navy. Now, if supposed
it was to cost us 5000, 900 or $780, 600
to take part in this exhibition, should
hesitate long before voted for the appro-
priation. But cannot believe that is SO.
/ believe the gentleman from Massachu-
sets, Mr.. Banks, who has investigated
the matter, is nearer the truth, and rely.
ing upon his assurance, shall vote for
the measure
Sir, was little astonished at the po-
sition of the gentleman from illinois, Mr..
Washburne, who says that we should
not make this appropriation because our
forifications and our navy yards and ev-
erything connected with the army and
navy are out of repair and require vast
amounts of money. Yet, if recollect
Alright, when the army and navy appro-
priatlon bills were before the House the
same distinguished gentleman persistently
voted "No' upon the recommendations
made by the Departments for appropria-
tions required for the army and navy.
And, sir, I have scarcely known him to
exercise his generosity. except in one in
stance, when, for the sake of a friend, he
proposed a new rank in the army with
salary of more than thirty thousand dol
lars year.
The gentleman says, "Fiat juStit;a, rudt
celum." l adopt the motto, cir and I
have no doubt that my friend, in his per-
soual affairs, practices upon it. But, sir,
when have seen the poor widow and
the needy orphan repulsed in tears from
our doors without the bread which the
nation owed them, because the gentleman
from illinois objected to entertaining their
applications, have felt that he cared
more for the public purse than that justice
of which he boasts.
Sir, l am in favor Of this proposition,
because believe it to be just | believe
that it is just to the great industrial people
of this country. | believe that it will be
beneficial to the nation as one of the best
promoters Of a permanent peace between
this country and all Europe. Why, sir,
what have we been told within the last
four or five years England and all con-
tinental Europe. with the exception of
Russia, in view of the immense number
of our population that were taken from
the field and shop to ill our army and
our navy, predicted that the industrial
pursuits of the nation would languish
that the hammer would no longer sound
lpon the anvil; that the shuttle would
no longer fly within the loom; that tho
steam and water would no longer revolve
the wheels of our factories that tho
plow would rust in the furrow that tho
scythe and the sickle would be hung upon
the tree; that the vast prairies of the
West, which heretofore in time of famine
abroad have raised corn enough to feed
every citizen of Britain from the Queen
upon her throne 10 the lowest vagrant in
the streets of Dublin, would grow up with
briars and tEistles, and that famine would
follow in the footsteps of our army. And
even now they are astonished at the error
of their prediction. They have seen two
million of men going from the field and
the workshop, AMI the peaceful agricul-
turist and mechanic changed as it wcro
in day to the noblest and bravest SOL
diers that ever bore a musket They
have seen the little navy which might
hide itself in the smallest harbor on the
Atlantic coast, spriuging as if in an in
stant into the most magnificent fleet that
ever threw banner TO the breeze; and
they have seen those soldiers and seamen
better fed and paid and clad than the SOL
diers or scamcn Of an nation on the faco
of the earth. And during all this ex-
hausting process the industrial Interests
have preserved their wonted activity.
The looms of the country have quadru-
pied the pow has extended its furow;
and the great prairies of the West have
produced more wheat and corn and leef
and pork than du.ing any of the years
prior TO the war.
Sir, they have seen all this; and they
have seen more. They have seen that a
State can live without an emperor or
king. They have seen that a republican