Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1873-12-11

WlSOOm OF GnlS 8CC1Ou ueeu8 no Illus
tration from him at this time. With
out it We would have been left not
only powerless to assert our own rights,
but defeaceless against arrogance or
aggression. The Secretary says the
naval force on the North Atlantic sta
ton was reduced in the spring. and
summer by ordering elsewhere, Of ne.
cessity, some vessels which were in
need Of repairs, and whose crews need
ed a change, having been long in the
tropics. The expeditions for the sur
vey of the Darien and Nicaragua inter-
oceanic canal have completed duties
and submitted reports. The Secretary
in speaking of the Polaris, says
her cruise has been decidedly
the most successful of Attic
expeditions. The geographic al
knowledge of the Arctic regions has
been largely advanced. A very partic-
ular questioning of every one of the
officers and crew of the Polaris, and
Of the scientific corps, except the three
persons yet unexamined, has complete
~ satisfied his associates and himself
that Captain Hall 8 death occurred
from purely natural causes; that his
medical treatment was iudiciously
adapted to his case; and that he was
tenderly nursed and cared for to the
last. The evidence was also made to
manifest that Captain Hall was always
faithful to the trust placed to him in
assigning him to the command that
he was kind, firm and humane in the
exercise of his authority, that he was
earnest in his attempts to reach q high
northern latitude, and, if practicable,
the pole and that his untimely death
was an irreparable loss. It is also ap-
parent that Captain Buddiugtop, who
succeeded to the chief command on the
death of Hall, proved himself to be a
good seaman. and that in all the dan
gerous positions which the Poloris was
placed his conduct as commander was
faithful and judicions-the natural re-
suit of long experience at sea and
command in northern ATTITUDES.
The Secretary renews his recon-
mendation that the service of our
navy yards be increased and developed,
SO as to be prepared for all emergen-
cies that the old navy yard at Phila-
delphia be abandoned, and new build
ings be erected at League Island that
tho New York yard be preserved on the
present site, and that the Pensacola
yard be in a measure rebuilt. The
Secretary earnestly recommends that
ample provision be made for the sup.
port of the Ordnance Bureau, in order
that nothing may interfere with its
effort to supply our ships with the most
powerful guns. The estimates TO,
the new year are $119,252, 235,
and to this is added 1854, $50
for current repairs, buildings, docks,
and incidental expenses IN the navy
yards. These estimates are less than
last year by rather more than 5000, 600,
but do not include any extra expendi-
lures for the permanent improvement
OF the navy for the amounts necessary
either for the repair of our iron-clad
fleet, nor for the continued prosecution
OF some great works necessary to the
proper condition of the naval estab-
lishment. Since the commencement
OF the present month events have
takea place which have made it proper
that the navy should be put at once
upon footing for active service. It
is by no means the province of this de-
partment, as such, to take part in the
conduct or discussion of any diplomatic
question, nor should it's attitude at q
time when serious international diff
culties are possible be held to indi-
cate anything more than de-
termination on the part of the N,.yrl
Department of the Government to
be prepared should necessity for action
arise. A respectable forcesof war YES
sells and monitors is already on the sea,
and concentrating at the station nearest
the scene of our possible difficulties.
Our whole iron-clad fleet is on hand,
and every war vessel that will float is
in active preparation at the various
naval stations. These will he ready
for sea, fully fitted, as fast as the
proper crews can ne procured for them,
and, if necessity for action should
come before the time for it arrives, all
there ;s of the American navy which
can be put afoat upon the ocean viii
be in condition and position to take
its proper part. "Inadequate," says
the Secretary, ''as this force may be
pretensions of Government like ours,
and greatly Mt disadvantage, as we
certainly would be in respect to the
number and character of the
vessels of our navy, a contest with
the fleets of any respectable naval
power, I believe the activity, skill,
science, and experience of our navy will
be found equal to any difficulty which
courage dare meet or energy will avail
to conquer" Tie Secretary concludes
as follows: "In taking the action
above referred to, the Navy Depart
ment has already incurred considerable
expense, and been forced to assume
some responsibilities unusual in times
of peace; but, convinced of the wisdom
of prompt and decided action, 1 have
not shrunk from these responsibilities,
nor hesitated, with the approval of the
President, to make warlike preparations
in the interest of peace and of humane
ty. I confidently rely for support in
this attitude upon the patriotism aud
good sense of the people and their
representatives, who cnnnot fail to re-
member that our navul condition is the
result of causes which have been con-
stantly pressed upon their consideration
but which failed to receive full atten-
ton, which was doubtless on account
of more pressing requirements and
obligations, and who will clearly realize
that, constantly postponed. are certain
to be more difficult and expensive
when performed in haste under the
pressure of imperious necessity. Tine
Department has no necessity to over
step its appropriations, even If it were
lawful to do SO; but tho pressing de-
mands of the present will consume
now what was provided for the service
of year. In several of the working
Bureaus there must prompt work
go on. The occasion has clearly shown,
1 think, that onr navy, rs it exists,
should at least be put in condition for
active service, and, in any event, q
moderate appropriation for this pur-
pose ought to be made; and if war by
any possibility comes, we must be lib
orally provided to utilize the means
VIC have, and to provide others to meet
the emergency.
THE London Economist says Senator
Boutwell,, in ms financial lecture in
New York, talked rubbish"