New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-12-05
TIT,DEN ON COAST DEFENCES
LETTER FROM HIM TO MIR. CARLISLE.

nv
FoUlP FORTlFICAuONs.
c..ol T,Iden has sent the following let
ter TO John &. Carllsie' So ,ook
W. "GREYsToNE, YoSKFRs, n. Y, Dec l. 1880
.DrAR Mr. CARLISLE: As pubic opinion poih'S " ''u
y. tho sneaker OF the next House OF hePresoH'"'o''
80 m submit suggestion as TO one Oh the p"oi0 w
% t which an appropriation ought to be prompt anu
!!I In considering the state aud management OF
,,,, revenues the subject involves the questions
,,,r We shall extingush the surplus by reducing the
venue. or whether shall apply the surplus 10 pay
,er,s on the public debts or whether we Sh' sei%9 ~
ooooson to provide for our seacoast oeienccs' WYNN
hco long neglected. am of opinion that the lat
t"' ' ro,ount necessity which ought to precede the
at,on OF the revenue and ought also to precede an
o,cassive rapidty i'll the payment OF the puoc ueO"
Tho nroncrty EXPOSED to destruction In the twelve
seaports-Portland, Portsmouth, Boston, Nc"loi' -0
YORK Philadelphia, Baltimore. Charleston Ha'aninh'
Nav Orleans Galveston, and San FranclscO-cahhot De
lass in value than five thousand millions OF doarS
chi rnust be added vast amount of property depehu
ent for its use Oh these seaports Nor does thiS s
mont afford true measure OF the uaIhdso "ni0A
be caused to the property and business OF the
nv failure to protect these seaports from hoso n'"
attacks They are the not only OF foreign com
,oroo but Of most of tho internal trade ana
exchanges OF domestic productions. 10 tnS
state OF things the machinery oi H"noloi'
tion of the whole country has become au"P'ou'
The interruption of the currents OF tranc D! inc
of
enemy or the destruction Of them by bomoaruhlon' ~
,ha over them the menace of destruction lOr Tue
nurpose Of exacting contribution or rahsom' "ouU "
fct upon the prosperity and business Oh 'ne county "
ipiury which can neither be foreseen nor ihedsu'e
The hest guarantee against aggressoh' INC pes' as
sursnce that diplomacy Will DO successful anu
pacific and that rights and honor VIII Do respected
h tbar nations is in their knowledge that we are IN
situation to vindicate our reputation anu interests
While we may afford TO be deficient IN the means OF
offence VIC cannot afford to be defenceiess INC ho'O
,.tv of the fact that we have neglected the ordinary
nreoau0ns of defence invites want OF CONSIDERATION i'll
our diplomacy, injustice, arrogance ana Insult at 'De
hands OF foreign nations.
Otis now than sixty years since we announced
IN the world that we should resist any attempts from
whatever quarter they might come TO make any new
colonizations on any part OF the American continents
that while we should respect the status quo we should
proect the people OF the different nations nhabtng
this continent from every attempt to subject them TO the
dominion of any European power or to Interfere WIN
the exercise of the rights sefgovernment
The elaborate aud costly Notifications, which were con
practically useless Tdey not capable OF resisting
The attacks OF modern artillery. still greater defect
exists in our coast defences The OF the best mod
eru artillery has become extended that our present
York where twothirds OF the import trade and more
than One-half OF the export trade OF inc whole On
States is carried too near TO the great popaohs
OF New-York City, Jersey City and Brooklyn TO De OF am
value as a protection. -, -. a., mol, 30
Years II would take much time TO construct per
manent fortIncati9ns sSI Pro'iS NitScr Of t6esc
works be eXtemp 9rzed IN presence Oh enegeng ua
ger million of soldiers with the best equipments on
the heights surrounding the harbor OF New-1oIk IN our
present OF preparation. or rather ID our olal wal"
Of PREPARATION would be powerless to resist snItlI
sonadron of war steamers. This state of things Is as
creditable to foresight ana to our prudence
This announcement was formally maze Dy IloST NJ
Monroe. after consultation with Mr. Mallsoh ana NJ
jefferson. was formulated by John quincy Mpae
Our Government has firmly adhered TO me adnnloe
doctrine. and even SO late as IeG3, warner IN S r
cent scramble Of me European powers IoT acc
co onies how occasion may arise lor out pupS
ought to be relation between our assertion OF hdt
doctrine and our preparation 10 MAINTAIN IT, ~ - no.
intended 10 recommend any attempt to rival the great
@ hcb have rpiJy occurred by the dmiuu
ton of the relative resisting power OF the defensive
armOr iron -clas, aud By the increased ecItc1 OF
modern artitry-which on the whole has gained in the
Observation-Disclosures that we should not, AZ present.
enter largely into the creation OF aIHored 'e1se' ~
have reached solution we can content
ourselves with adding but sparingy 10
be the very best that and experience can ind
This prudential view Is reinforce 1y tne consul
Grafton that the annual charge OF a, W;
vessel bears important proportion To the cost
OF construction. In constructing permanent t0rthea.
fions and I'm providing an ample supply OF the best
modern artillery, the annual cost OF maintenance Is IN,
original outlay for construction II We do not make the
expenditure necessary to provide Tor our seaeoaHe
levy new taxes certainly VIII not make those cXIeh>
ditures when have no longer surplus IN tue treas
nrv TO leave our vast interests deiueees IN order to
reduce the cost OF whskey to its consumers would be
sOecism. , ---,,- ..-.....-t,
the present time ia peculiarly favorable for proVid
ing for this great national necessity too long negece
Not only the surplus in the Treasury supply ample
means TO meet this great pubc want without laying
new burdens upon the people but the work can now De
dome at a much lower than has ever before Oeen
possible The defensive works would consist
almost entirely steel and iron. These materials can
now be had at an unprecedently low price vast sup
py OF machinery and of labor called into existence ny
great yicisstude the steel and iron industries oilers
itself to our service We should have the satisfaction OF
Knowing that while awaiting ourselves or the
supplies which woud srdnarily be unattainahle, we
were setting in motion mpOI tant Industries ana giving
employment TO labor in a period OF depression. WIN
announcement by the guarantee OF work, or perhaps
by the government itself furnishing the plant, the IN
yentive genius of our people would be applied 10 inc
creation of means and improved machinery ana
would spring into existence capable OF
all the national wants, and rendering uh com
pletey Independent of all other countries in respect TO
The means OF national defence. endeavored 10 impress
these ideas upon Mr. Randall the last time had the
pleasure OF seeing him. .,
remain very truly yours, D. j. llLDEH'
The Hon. JOHN G.. CARLISLE.