The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-03-01
Jefferson on tho National Defence.


If the minority in the House of Repre-
sentatives were animated by the patriotic
principles Of the founder of the old Demo-
cratic party, their votes in the present
crisis of affairs would be cast solidly in favor
Of every measure looking to the increase of
the navy. the strengthening Of the army,
the fertilization Of the seaport cities, and,
were a measure to that effect presented, the
placing Of tho militia on q war footing.
They would vote military supplies in
abundance, fortify the Treasury with all
the resources of money and credit; in a
word, make the Republic Vulnerable at
every point, so far as legislation could effect
that supreme object. This is genuine JEFF
%fersonian doctrine.
When JEFFERSON became President the
country. so far as defence went, was in a
deplorable condition. Not one of the i'm.
portant points on either the Atlantic coast
or the northern frontier was in a position
20 offer successful resistance to invasion by
sea or land. Under the operation of a law
passed during the administration of ADAMS
the few vessels built in anticipation of war
had to be sold and the naval establishment
materially reduced. AS soon, however, as
that act of obedience to the legislative
authority had been performed JEFFERSON
adopted measures to restore that most inn.
portant arm of the public service to a con-
dition of efficiency; the Mediterranean
squadron was fitted out and a blow was
inflicted on the Algerine pirates which
ultimately led to the humiliation of that
nest of murderers and robbers that had so
long held the Of Europe in igno-
minious subsection. Following up this
broad naval policy, JEFFERSON succeeded
in procuring the construction of additional
ships and the increase of the staff of officers,
while in his recommendations to Congress
he urged the building of docks and of gun.
boats for harbor defence. Ridicule was
visited on some Of these suggestions by the
opponents Of a navy, and they were not
acted on because of alleged impractical.
bility; but his plans were not found to be
impracticable by European powers which
adopted them.
JEFFERSON was a firm and persevering ad-
vocate of seacoast Notifications. Advert
ing in his fifth annual message to the n
solent conduct toward us of France and
England, he said 1.-THE first object is to
place our seaport towns out of all danger
Of insult. Measures nave already been
taken for furnishing them with heavy
cannon for the service of such batteries
as may make a part of their defence
against armed vessels approaching them.
In aid Of these 1t Is desirable that we
should have a competent number of gun
boats; and tho number, to be competent,
must he considerable" A Congress of
unfiinching Jeffersonian Democrats voted
the money that was needed to carry out
this policy on plans 80 comprehensive thai
JEFFERSON was enabled to write to a cor
respondent in July, 1905: "This summer
will place our harbori in a situation to main.
tain peace and order with England and
Spain. The next, or certainly the one fol.
lowing that, will 80 provide them with gun.
boats and cannon batteries as to be hors
~d'insulte." And he added: although our
prospect is peace, our policy and purpose
arc to provide for defence by all the means
to which our resources are competent"
Toward the middle of ~JEFFERsoN's second
term the finances Of the Government were
in so satisfactory a condition that the dis
posal OF the surplus became a question
OF discussion. In the seventh annual mes
sage JEFFERSON declared his policy with
respect to 1t to be: completing the de-
fence OF the exposed points of our coun-
try on such n scale as shall be adequate to
our principles and circumstances. This
object Is, doubtless, among the first emit
tied to decision, in such a state of our
finances, and it is one which, whether we
lave peace or war, will provide security
where 1t is due" War at the time was
not a remote contingency, for, in the
same communication, JEFFERSON had to
inform Congress of the fragrant defiance of
our authority and violation of our rights