Mr. WOODBRIDGE. Mr. Chairman, I do not profess to be particularly economical in my personal affairs. But I certainly do feel when the Republic is burdened with so vast a debt, and the people are under the pressure of such unprecedented taxation, that we are under obligation to practice the strictest economy in the appropriation of the public money. This is a practical question; it is nota question where we should discuss our relations with Europe one way or the other. Does the project have in itself virtue enough to justify us in making the appropriation which is asked? believe it has, and therefore I shall vote for the JtResolution. I take the word of my friendfrom Massachusetts, [Mr. BANKS] who assures the House that the appropriation of $100,000 will not all be needed; that only a portion of it will be required. I confess was somewhat surprised when the letter of the SecyNavy was read, for it might seem to be a fair construction of that letter, that if one of your frigates is sent out it would cost $300,000 to put her in a condition to carry freight, and a large sum in addition to restore her to a proper condition for the use of the Navy. ow, if I supposed it was to cost us $600,000 or $700,000 to take part in this Exhibition, I should hesitate long before I voted for the appropriation. But cannot believe that is so. I believe the Gentfrom Massachusetts, [Mr. BANKS] who has investigated the matter, is nearer the truth, and relying upon his assurance, I shall vote for the measure. Sir, I was little astonished at the position of the Gentfrom Illinois, [Mr. WASHMRXE] who says that we should not make this appropriation because our fortifications and our navy yards and everything connected with the Army and Navy are out of repair and require vast amounts of money. Yet, ifI recollect aright, when the Army and the Na appropriation bills were before the House the same distinguished gentleman persistently voted “ no” upon the recommenations made by the Depts for appropriations required for the Army and Navy. and, sir, I have scarcely known him to exercise his generosity, except in one instance, when, for the sake of a frien, he proposed a new rank in the Army with a salary of more than 30,000 dollars a year. The gentleman says, “Fiat justifia, mat caelu m.” I adopt the motto; sir; and ] have no doubt that my friend, in his personal affairs, practices upon it. But, sir, when I have seen the poor Widow and the needy orphan repulsed in tears from our doors without the bread which the nation owed them, because the Gentfrom Illinois objected to entertainin their applications, I have felt that he care more for the public purse than that justice of which he boasts. Sir, I am in favor of this reosition, because I believe it to be just. believe that it is just to the great industrial people of this country. I believe that it. will be beneficial to the nation as one of the best promoters of a permanent eace between this country and all nrope. Vhy, sir, what have we been told within the last 4 or 5 years? England and all continental Europe, with the exception of Russia, in view of the immense number of our population that were taken from the field and the shop to fill our Army and our Navy, predicted that the industrial pursuits of the nation would languish; that the hammer would no longer sound upon the anvil; that the shuttle would no longer fly within the loom; that the steam and the water would no longer revolve the wheels of our factories; that the plow would rust in the furrow; that the scythe and the sickle would be hung uppu the tree; that the vast prairies of the West, which heretofore in time of famine abroad have raised corn enoughto feed every citizen of Britain from the Queen upon her throne to the lowest vagrant in the streets of Dublin, would grow up with briars and thistles, and that famine would follow in the footsteps of our Army and even now they are astonished at the error of their prediction. They have seen 2 million men going from the farm and the shop, and the peaceful agricul turist and mechanic changed as it were in a day to the noblest and bravest soldiers that ever bore a musket. They have seen the little Navy which might hide itselfin the smallest harbor on the Atlantic coast, springing as if in an instant to the most magnificent fleet that ever threw a banner to the breeze; and they have seen those soldiers and seamen better fed and paid and clad than the soldiers or seamen of any nation on the face of the earth and during all this exhausting process the industrial interests have preserved their wonted activity. The looms of the country have quadru led; the plow has extended its furrow; an the great prairies of the West have produced more wheat and corn and pork and beef than during any of the years prior to the war. Sir, they have seen all this; and they have seen more. They have seen that a State can live without an emperor or a king. They have seen that a RFG based upon intelligence is progressive and in destructible. They have seen in spite of this terrible war that the flag of our UDIOH still floats in triumph and protects 4 million people from whom the shackles have been broken; and they have seen that under the constitutional amendment the nation has the power through Congress to protect those people in all the natural civil rights which pertain to a citizen. Now, sir, pass this bill, give dignity to this enterprise, and encouragement to the people; and what will be the effect? Why, sir, from my own State there will go more than 100 sheep that will be purchased to imrove the finest flocks of Germany, Spain, and Erance. The American plow and axe and shovel and hoe and spade will again bear off the aim. The reaperfrom the West, with its moern improvements, will again excite the env, the admiration, and the wonder ofEurope. An, sir, our machinery, withim provements made during the war, will convince "urope that we are not only greatest in war, but that even in the midst of war, we are still greater in the arts of peace. Sir, when American industry and the results of American genius are displa ed, when the thin ved is lifted as it will be, and by the democracy of Europe and the industry of Euro e are brought in contact and in attrition with the democracy and industry of this country, the people will see our resources and power, and no crowned head in Europe will dare to trample upon the rights of the American people; and war will never come. Why, sir, I am not afraid to meet my constituents on this appropriation. All gentlemen know there are no more frugal, no more industrious, no more careful, no more money saving, and I know, no more intelligent and patriotic people than I have in my own district. I admit that the expenses of my State government have increased tenfold during the war, and that the taxes have increased in like proportion, and yet my people pay those taxes as cheerfully as they do their work and now, sir, that sweet peace has come, and the angel of death has put back the arrows to the quiver, I know they will willingly contribute of their substance to promote the industrial interests and the inventive genius of the country. The appropriation commends itself to my judgment, and I shall take the responsibility of voting for it.