Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1833-12-05


success excited the envy or cupidity
Of nations, and our commerce was not
only interrupted but piun.lered. The
people took Ere; and ia 1894, q propo-
sition vas made in Congress for crea.
ting a navy, but such was the prelu-
dice against . navy, that the bill Was
passed ouly BY majority oftwo in the
House of Representatives, for building
ten frigates, four forty -four, and six
thirty-sixes. The sea board consider
ed this q triumph, and money was free.
ly offered for this great national pro-
ject. The American feet that appear.
ed on the ocean in 1898, seemed To
come down from the Mountains By
magic. Before the nations Of Europe
could imagine such . thing. our fri
gates and sloopS of war were on the
ocean, The privatcers and ships Of
war belonging to the then republic Of
France, were lowering on our coasts
to capture our vessels. Our ships of
war were directed TO sei-e. take, and
bring into any port Of the United States,
any resscf sailing under the authority
Of the French Republic, horering on our
coast for The purpose e( committing de-
predafions on vessels belonging TO our
cht-ens. Our armed vessels were in
stantiy on the ocean, aud afforded pro-
lection tn our commerce. The French
were soon taught that they had no com.
mon Toe tn contend with; for in every
instance, when equal lorces commended,
the enemy were taken, and often with
far inferior force. Dale, Truxton,
Shaw, Little, and others, gained VIC
tories which did them great honor; and
the nations Of Europe began to open
their eyes 10 our naval prowess. But
when this short excitement had passed
away, the nation forgot that every
maritime people should constantly be
prepared to chastise aggression aud to
protect its commerce.
The great part Of our ships were sold
of. We had only thirteen vessels Of
any efficiency remaining. Ii hardly
became fully known to the people that
our navy was diminished, before we
had cause for q naval force TO chastise
The Bau asry Powers. They had re-
ceiscd tribute from Us as we'll as from
other nations. and grew insoient if il
did not arrive at = given day. This
was not all; our flag was insuited. and
the pirates Of the Mediterranes
thought that we were TO be permanent
slaves TO them. The blood of our
country was up, and in few years we
taught the descendants Of Barba-
rosa that they were not to dictate to
free people. His holiness Of Rome
applauded our efforts, and the nations
Of Europe grew ashamed Of suffering
these pirates to domineer over powers
Of ten times their efficiency. Success
attended our flag in every engagement.
and the effect was wonderful. The
heroes Of that war deserve an ample
page in the history Of our eountry.-
They will have il. From these ad.
ventures until the year 1919, the navy
was not much cherished. II was hard
iy . prominent feature of our national
prosperity; and when war was declared
with Great Britain, was not calculated
upon rs means OF obtaining national
glory; but the event proved otherwise.
Every officer and sailor in our much
neglected navy. saw that they had
chance TO fight themselves into notice,
ADD they we're determined to improve
il. Victory followed victory until the
nation grew mad upon the subject
Our naval forces reached the rrmotest
nations Of the Globe. and even Britain
began TO acknowledge Us as their H.
neal descendants. The enthusiasm a
mOng Us was carried To a high pitch.
and men had their memoirs written
who, two years before, had not been
known out Of small circle Of friends.
Some Of these naval heroes have been
justly clarified, but others remain yet
TO claim justice from the historian.
Since the last war. the appropria.
tons for the navy have been liberal,
considering tho economical course pur.
sued by our government in other rcs.
poets, and our naval fame has not been
furnished. An impetus has been Civ.
en- which will not be lost. The people
are all agreed that this should be the
right arm of our power This lesson
which they have learned is alone " ortiz
a dozen wars. Accident may inter
fere, partiality may improperly direct,
lsyoritism my vlo injustice for awhile,
IN this branch Of our national honor a.
we'll as in others, for these things can
not be guarded against; but the navy
has a hold on the affections Of the pcO-
pie which operates ~ powerfully that
nothing can destroy IL. IL is written
in the book Of fate that our iron boBnd
shores should be defended by stout.
hearted, iren-hsted men Il " J.. Star.
sSgSoss q Etss1s -
Ricuaap fEsS. ono q the PROPRIETOR sBd
of all the Governors &c PeBnfs lsania uudes
liz GA e.~,s.. r.r.t..hI. A.. .....f ls..r..F