Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1845-07-01

harbors should encourage the building oil
steamers of the largest class, to be our com
mercial marine in time of peace, and in al
emergency, converted into war steamers,
and then, we doubt not, equally efficient in
protecting the persons and properly of ouI
counirymen.
1t is probable that two millions Of dollar.
would put every harbor needed on Lake
Champlain, Ontario, Enc, Huron, and NJ ch
gan, into proper situation for receiving
vessels ef the largest size. This amounl
may seem large, but look at the cost OF
steamers built expressly by the government.
The Mississippi and Missouri cost ONE MIL
LION ofdollars, and at least 100000 pei
annum 10 keep them in service! The small
iron steamers built by government, cost
from 80 to $3.50 900, with an annual ex-
pense Of some forty thousand dollars. Nc
efficient navy could be built by the govern
meut on the lakes at less than All expense
of millions of dollars. The same amount
laid out upon harbors, while it would in time
Of war give US an effective fleet of war steam.
crs, would be of inappreciable advantage in
promoting tie extension of commerce, ad
dingto the population, augmentlng the wealth
and at the same time encouraging the hardy
enterprise ofour countrymen. 1t is noun
importan; consideration, that this CONNER
cial marine on the lakes will educate a class
of seamen Of invaluable service in time Of
war, not only there but Oh the ocean. Then
rough schooling on The great lakes, well quail
ifcs them TO ride ''thc mountain wave"
This subject is destined 10 occupv not d
little of the attention Of our roycfnment.-
We have no reason to believe that war i
probable between England and the United
States. We have confidence that the Ore.
goE question will be peaceably adjusted
The commercial ties Of the two countries
are being too strong to be easily broke
Peace is valuable to both nations, and par.
ticularly 10 England-too vital 10 suppose
thai her statesmen would plunge into wal
with the United States. Other nations arc
spending their tens of millions in order tc
build up steam navy. Our government
will be compelled TO adopt like means of de-
fence. Before doing this, it is certainly
desirable that Public Opinion should be sc
formed as to favor the construction of suita-
BILE defences for our country, without melting
a war spirit among our people. This We
think will eminently be the result Of this
system of trusting something to our com
mercal marine-thuS making peace, as il
should be, the paramount objection Of odl
government.
The military and commercial claims o.
the West will have to be regarded, at the
next sess on of Congress. Discussion and
investigation VIII bring on: the plan which
combines economy with efficiency, and what
is of not less Importance, adapted 10 the dem
ocratc character OF our goVefnmoa:--Hhicl
from its popular structure, Is opposed to
large fleets and armies in time o! peace
This is a consideration which true states
man would regard as Of the highest moment
IN encouraging the growth OF a great com
mcrcial. rather than pure naval marine .-
The important principal of cn olragng IN
tine of peace, the construction Of steamers
on the ocean by individuals; and TO be Ia
ken in time war, by the governments; foi
war steamers, has been recently sanctioned
by Congress in the passage Of the "ForeIgn
letter" mail bill; and also by the Legislature
Of New York, in the incorporation OF the
"Amercan Steam Navigation Company. -"
Tbs is the first movement ofthe Kind in oul
country; but we consider it the commence
mcnt OF new and wiser system in economi-
cally building up a large and powerful navy
by encouraging commerce, and at the same
time adding TO the deftnces of our nlt,on.
We shall allude TO this subject again in
connection with the improvement of the
great rivers of the West-,h Mississippi
the Ohio, the Red, the Arkansas, the M;ssou
ri and the Yellow Stone, which in the cmer
gcncy ofwar. would become ind;s pensibls
military arteries, giving tone and confidence
and efficiency to the power ofthe whole I'm
ion.