The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1826-03-15
VOf. Is.

1
at least, not with the sams certainty nor
10 the same extent The army, too, is q
military school, still we have one Military
Academy, and some are contemplating the
establishment of another. Can there ba
any doubt but that this institution is pros
viding the country with military talent far
beyond what the discipline Of the Army a.
lone would provide it? | should suppose
there could be but one answer TO that
question. The navy of Great Britain, too,
is naval school-a most excellent school:
still Great Britain has a Naval Academy.
The navy OF France, too, 10 naval school,
not so good, perhaps az the British or the
American, but still u school; yet France
has Naval Academy. These older and
more experienced countries have found it
ol great use, as no doubt we should, TO
connect the preparatory institution of an
Academy with the subsequent and per-
iecting discipline of the Navy.
The expense of the institution will be
something, il is true, but nothing TO be
felt as a burthen on the finances of the
country; nothing to be compared to the
benefit Of the results 10 be anticipated
| from the institution. '.,.''
Still, am aware that the expedicncy
must depend, more or less, upon the plan
| ltsolf of the institution. That a plan may
be devised that will make il expedient for
! the country, have no doubt: that plan
may be devised that will make II the most
useful OF all our Institutions, | have no
doubt~-not only as TO It's direct effect on
the Navy itself, bat by its collateral effect
III practically illustrating the infinite effect
of education, when conducted on i,s pro-
per principles. -.
| take leave in conclusion, to suggest
one other consideration, which however
visionary 1t may appear To others, has
weight with me, aud Constitutes one source
of my anxiety for this establishment. The
day, think, is coming--I hope II is a dis
ant day--when the United States will be
obliged TO dispute Tor the supremacy of
the ocean. IL is evident that The States
men Of Great Britain are looking forward,
and not without anxiety, TO the possibility,
nay, to ihe probability Of such a contest.
and with us. Desperate, desperate in!
deed, viii be the battles in which that
question VIII be decided. Not like tho
battles OF the Nile, or the battle of Traial-
gar where the combatunts were unoqual
they will be, battles ~ which Greek will
meet Greek; battles, ~ which the whole
resources OF vnlur and of discipline, of gr-
mus and OF scleucc, will, on both sides, be
displayed and exhausted; battles, thar viii
resound through history in all future tims.
IL ~ evident, say, tlat Great Britain IS
looking forward to that impostaal dsl;
that she considers the United States as
the only Power likely to dispute with her
The empire ofthe seas; that II that see ptre
which sne now holds, and has held 20 long,
is ever to be wrested from her grasp, lhc
United States ore to wrest IT,. q ''
In these opinions Of hers, are 10 be
found the true secret of those commercial
regulations of which we so much COM
PLAIN; regulations in which her CONNER
cIal interest seems as little consulted as
Our own. The object of tilcm is not COM
mcIce but policy the object is to retard
the growth of our commercial marine; To
put off, and, # possible, TO prevent, the evil
day which she approhonds may come.
called II n secret, but it is no secret. This
object has been most distinctly avoved by
one other most lending Statesmen,ln in speak
ing Of the policy Of Great Britain in her
navigation laws: | alude to the speech of
Mr.. lluskisson, delivered in the House OF
Commons in May last. lie says W
"The House is aware that our naviga-
ton laws have two-fold object; first TO
create and maintain in this country u
great commercial marine; and, secondly,
nm object mol less important in The eyes "
Statesmen, 10 prevent any other nation .folp
engroSsing too large a portion Of The NAT
CATION oj'Me rest ofHe 'corid."
Hence we see Why other commercial,
but minor States, have commercial arrange
mcnts made with them, and favorable 10
them, which are refused to the UniteS
States. OF. the growth of the commercial
marine of IL ose States she is not Jealous,
she has no occasion TO be; but Of Tho
growth Of the commercial marine of the
United States she il jealous. and would
gladly restrain that growth. She sees in
the infant Navy of the United States q
young giant, and anticipates, with alarm,
its growing strength. Now, as she is
looking to tie future, and acting with ref
ereBce 10 the future ~ regards the UnlteJ
States, ought not the United States 10 be
equally prowdent of the future, As regards
Great BritniB? Equally attentive TO all
the means which may best qualify them To-
meet the demands Of that future? Let
prudence make the reply.
But however visionary this speculation
may be in me, however little considera-
ION it may receive, or be entitled 10 re- -
,eiye from others, still fatter myself TIM.
he other grounds on which the adoption
IF this measure has been urged, will hu.
,e deemed visionary, nor insufficient to
procure foE it the appreciation Of the Sed.
tic.