Retrenchment

We should bavegiven more in detail a debate in the House of Representatives, Dec. 28, on the Home Squadron. Mr. Hale, a Democrat oí' New Hampshire, took ground resolutely for the reduction of the expenses of the Navy to íive mili ions, whereas it now costa nine. Mr. Adams snpported him, while J. R. Ingersoll and Morris, of Penn. opposed. Mr. Giddings said he should warmly support the views of the gentleman from New Hampshire. For want of appropriations here, he had seen the poor inariners on the Lakes suffe ring every hardsfiip, and exposed to dangers unknown on the coast. Yet, the expenditures of the navy. for the last five years, had been thirty rnilhons, of which Ohio liad' paid thrce millions. Discavding the idea of local feelings, he would yet declare that he would vote for no more appropriations for the navy, &c, until he saw more indications of a disposition on the part of the Atlantic country to protect the commerce and improve tho harbors of the West. Now, the West had power totake care of their own interests, and he wished to use that power with discretion and fbrbearance, and more generosity than had been extended to"the West during its weakness. He would challenge gentlemen to teil the House in what particular the Home Squadron had been serviceable to the United States, to commerce. navigation or anything else. The people of the West, who had paid a part of this expense,wished to know what were its frujts. He was for bringing down the expense of the navy to five millions. He would dismantle ships. He saw no use in kecping up six squadrons. The commerce of the country did not require it. He would also cut down the army and abandon the fortifications, forts, which were a monument of our disgrace - which the improved art of war rendered as useless as1 the oíd feudal castles. He did not care wheiher his party went with him or nol, - he would stand by his professions in favor of reform. He would go with Mr. Ingersoll in the minor reforms which he had suggested, but he would also strike at the millions. He would cut down the whole expense of the government, and particularly of the army' and navy.O?3 A convention of Associationists of ill kinds was lately heldin Boston todis;uss the best mode of re-organizing so;iety. W. tl: Channing, O. A. Brownon, A. Brisbane, John Pierpont and othr eminent speakers took part in the pro;eedings. We are told that all sorts of jpinions and notions were advanced and rgued for four days, the sessions luslingjach evening until nearly mid night. - The following resolution shews what evils :he Convention thought to be most urgent: Resolved. That the movements now in irogrcss in various parts of the country, iesigned to promote a social re-organizaion, are the legitímate results of the spirit íf Chrislian Brothcrliood, of Liberty, and ?f Pcacefuí Reform; and that the inefii;acy of all modes oí Public Charity to relieve or )rev ent Pattperism vvith itsattendant de'gradations; the injustice ofour ;omiKon sysíem of Wciges; the tediousness, oppressiveness, and unhealthincss of cmr habits of Labor; the unequal distribution of means and opportunities íbr Culure, Rcfuicment, Rccreation and Social Pleasures; the imperfect character and degree of Popular Education, both for children and adults; theunnaturalsubservience of Woman; the distinctions of Coste based upon outward and artificial circumstances; the universal war of Competition; and finally the tendency of oúr Industrial, Commercial, and Financial transactions to the establishment of a Mosreted Feudausji - cali urgently upon all to aid by their counsel, energies & mcans, these movements, and others having thc similar endin view of üniiing all Conjlicting Jnierests, and of establishing the relations of Society on the basis of Universal Justice and Love, thus securing for each human being the highest possible Social Good.Garrison says very justly of all these eíFortsto regenérate society: "Of one thing we feel certain: an intcrnal regeneration must precede the external salvation of mankind f rom sin and misery. The chief obstacle to the success of these communities or associations will lie in the breaste of their members, and not in the present state of society. If they dweil together in lovc. having the sarne mind that was in Clirist Jesus, they will surely prosper. If they attempt to walk by sight, and not by faith, they will perish. No theory or plan of association can save them from themselves, though it may aid them in the work of human redemption."