The New York herald., 1870-04-06
1re Navy BnI /. Coucross.

dividuals towards the army and navy. Fortu-
nately there are wise aud patriotic members
enough in Congress who arc always ready to
meet sudh men with arguments they cannot
oontrovers, and it is seldom that the enemies
Of the army and navy can carry their points.
The shallow arguments against ''extravagant
expenditures" and ''aristocratic cliques" find
no favor with the true statesmen of the Senate
or House of Representatives; and although the
men who raise senseless cry against the two
arms of the nations defence create sensations
they are scarcely ever successful in carrying
their measures, because 1t Is evident to every
ono that they are Influenced by no patri-
otto motives, and that some private pique is
at the bottom of their movements. These
mon can finally do no harm, yet IL Is necessary
to watch them and hold them up TO pablo
opinion, that tholr Vaccinations may not be
successful. They may think that their inten-
Gons are not seen but they are generally like
the ostrich, which sticks its head in the sand
when pursued by the hunter, thinking that It's
whole body is thus hid from view.
In this connection we would like TO know II
the Senator from Alabama thinks that tho
American people are 50 lost to honor and de-
cency as to tolerate such return to those brave
defenders OF tho flag who perilled health, lifo
and all they possessed that the Union might
not be destroyed as to strike them. We should
like to know where Senator Spencer was at the
time when the navy was under fire at Hatteras,
Beaufort, New Orleans, Port Hudson, Mobile,
Grand Gulf Vicksburg, Helena and Fort
Fisher--battles that have made our navy fa-
nous in history, 70 say nothing Of the practical
most s:upendous rebellion the world has ever
seen. The gentleman from Alabama may
have forgotten these victories, but the people
Of the republic have not; for although history
records The fact that republics are proyerbially
ungratc!u!, it will be shown in the sequel that
this one is an exception to the general rule.
The people love the navy and are justly proud
Of its history, and when an American sees the
Stars and Stripes flying al the peak of one Of
our national ships abroad his>heart beats with
emotion, satisfied that the national honor is
safe in the keeping of our naval officers.
No ono will mako capital by attacks on tho
navy, for the bill now before Congress will
scarcely be noticed, but will be consigned by
the Senate Naval Committee to the old lum-
ber room, where oil such rubbish is stored
away. There are good and patriotic Senators
on the committee, In whose bands the interests
Of the service will not suffer; aud although
that brave old Watchdog, Senator Grimes, has
left place very diHlcult for any other man to
fill, yet there ara such Senators loft as Cragin,
Anthony, Drake, &c., who will take care that
no harm Is dono TO the navy. The country is
too much interested just now in the work of re-
suscitating the navy and putting it in oondi-
tion to protect our citizens abroad to set it
back and take the life from 1t by an act of in :
justice that would brand the nation with infamy.
We have not officers enough now to perform
the duty required Of them, and to out the pre-
sent number down and drive. veterans out to
starve in thoir old age would be an act that
even Mr.. Spencer's most ardent admirers
would deprccate The honorable Senator
may say that he can get plenty Of mon in Ala
bama who will perform the duties of officers
for twenty dollars month. Perhaps 80 and
so we could get plenty of men to perform his
duty for less than half the amount tho gov
ernment pays him.
This is no time for introducing bills to cut
down the naval service, when the whole coun-
try-through its exponent the press-is
insisting that the navy shall be put in condl-
ton to meet the national requirements. We
want nothing less than we have at present,
and wc must have additional men and ships.
Thirty-four vessels are all that the unwise policy
of Congress will permit being kept aaoat; and
there are now in our navy yards several ships
ready for service on the coast of Cuba and
elsewhere that cannot 60 to sea, because there
are unwise economists who for moment stop
the way, and Congress will not amend the law
limiting the number of soamen. Our old
sailors, who have for years made their homes
in the navy, are seeking employment in foreign
service, because our naval rendezvouses are
closed, and they are told (when they present
their honorable discharges and ask employ
meut) that tho country wants them no more,
and chat the Spencers have taken charge Of
the service.
This state of affairs cannot last long. There
will soon be q reaction in the Senate and
House, and all the enemies of the navy will b,
disappointed in their opposition to great ma
tional questions. From the naval committees
Of both houses of Congress we hope fol
statesmanlike views and good results when the
appropriation bills come up for discussion ;
and although the Appropriation Committee OF
! the House has not 40 far shown liberal dis
position, yet we have confidence that Mr..
Washburn, who has the naval appropriations
in charge, will, when he understands the true
wants Of the service, show his good practical
| sense, and will change the tactics which, il
carried out would leave us without any navy