The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-11-14
MEMPHIS, Oct. 7, 1916.

MEMPHIS, Oct u 1916.
To the Editor Of the Union!
Permit me TO call your attention TO the letter Of
your correspondent from this place, dated August
26, 1916. II, by the concluding paragraph of that
letter, he means to propagate the idea that public
work for the manufacturing Of cordage, or in other
words, that the establishment OF walk, merely
this place will be pleasing or "popuar," in this
portion Of the sou hwest, he is very widely mista-
ken. The people Of this portion of the Union had
reason TO expect large naval establishment at this
point-one which would have furnished the south
and west with the same means and facilities OF be-
coming identified with the maritime interests, and
the naval operations Of the counryo have furnish
ed nursery and school for the development OF the
naval genius and resources Of the south and west,
and to have enabled her TO be possessed alike
with the efficient means of common defence" with
our more fortunate feow-countrymen of the north
and east We have paid millions in the shape Of
expenditures for the permanent establishment Of
navy yards, and for the improvement Of the naval
facilities of our Union in the northern and eastern
portions of the country. This we have done freely;
but have long felt and complained of the injus-
tice done US by our feow-countrymen, to whom
we have granted these boons in their refusal in
difference to extend to US the like advantages. In
this respect, they have treated like provinces of
whose growing influence they were afraid When
the mighty pen Of HAIRY Bluff" elected the ac-
ton of the government IN regard 10 our naval inter-
ests, and well appointed commissioners sent to
the country for the purpose Of ascertaning place
within our midst proper for large naval establish
ment, we were highly pleased Our countrymen of
the more favored portion of the country grew three
feet taller in magnanimity and patriotism in our es-
nation The commissioners appointed were men
whose opinions In regard to such matters would, or
could never be seriously questioned, even though
opposed by the dissenting voice of a naral captain,
Tor commodore,) whose only experience consists in
mere knowledge Of navigation and naval tactics and
skill; or by that of a cabinet member, whose
only knowledge in regard to such subjects,
and most others, consists in mere theory
These commissioners fixed upon Memphis as a fit
and proper place for large naval establishment
The country needed and expected such a one; but
under the action of the late Secretary of the Navy
it has dwindled down to a mere rope-walk. Why,
sir, in the name of common sense, should a place.
so far distant from the navy-yards and ship build
ing establishments of the country, be fixed upon
for the manufacture of cordage for the shipping and
navy Of the country merely? 1t will be nearly as
| easy to transport the material, out of which the
cordage is made to the places where wanted for use
as 1t will be TO transport the cordage IL a rope
walk is the only object in view, why not establish it
| at ST. Louis, or somewhere in Kentucky, at oncei
We do not expect to manufacture hemp here and
your correspondent is mistaken if he supposes we
do. If the rope-walk be established the hemp will
have to be transported from Missouri or Kentucky
When manufactured here, it must again be trans
ported to the place where needed for use. What
folly then, to talk about making rope-wak here,
unless accompanied by large naval establishment
1t would benefit no interest here, either present or
prospective that we are aware of. And now, sir,
assure you, in the honest sincerity of one who has
no other interest in view than his country's good,
that the sentiments expressed in this letter but
the reflection of the unanimous opinions of the dis
interested of the people in this section of the
country, in regard to the course which has been
heretofore pursued, and which ought TO be pursued
in relation to the navy-yard here. Under the au-
spices of our present Secretary of the Navy, we
expect the navy-yard a. here to be placed in the
attitude which the necessities and growing power
and interests Of the country demand; but we fear
he will be too much interfered with by other sinister
influences, which, however much he may be dis
posed, he cannot perhaps control.
Very respectfully,