The national whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1847, 1847-07-30
OUR war STEFAN .MaRLyE.

We hope that the next Congress will take the sub
jsct Of increasing our war steam marine into con-
sideration, and carry out, on scale commensurate
with the importance Of our country.
This hope is expressed by that very able
journal, the Herald Of New York, and we are
sure that the whole country will respond 10 it.
The past condition of our War Steam Marine
has been disgrace TO our national character,
and we are sorry to say, it is very little better
at the present time, than il was when we made
our FIRST effort Of getting Steam Navy. Eve
ny effect has cause and the apathy exhibited
by our government in relation TO war steamers
for SO many yearsan apathy that no exertion
on the part Of the people has been able to drive
+ away--must have cause. That cause is seen
and felt by The whole country, and yet Con-
gress has not dared to remove il. Do you ask
what it isl Il is the fact that the Navy De-
partment Of the United States is administered
and controlled by old Navy officers whose
prejudices in favor Of wind and sail are des
perately opposed to steam and machinery
Not only is il managed BY these men, but they
possess the power and influence with the Elk
ecutive and Congress, no matter of which
party, TO retain their control and adminislra
ton Of this branch Of the public service. But
family, party and money influences. The
esprit du corps Of the Navy helps to keep its
departmental administration in the hands OF
its officers. No man is interested in putting
down or in exposing abuses, or if he is,
he is soon Frustrated by his brethren whose
views are opposite. There never goes CT
william into Mr.. Mason's chair, but forthwith
commences a struggle between the heads of
Naval Bureaus who shall have him, and one OF
the other is as sure 10 get him as the spider is
u catch the unwary Fly in his meshes. In
this contest, the public interest is never once
thought Of. II is the supremacy Of the Navy
and its officers. They regard their arm Of
the service, as made for the especial accommo-
daiion Of themselves. They fight for the
country, say they, and they ,oiu hare the right
and the power TO say when and how they
shall eight, and at what cost TO the nation.
II is this state Of things which has prevents
ed and continues TO prevent the establishment
Of War Steam Marine worthy of our coun-
try, its resources, and its wants. The military
habits, the naval knowledge, the whole tone
add spirit OF Steam Marine armament are al
most entirely opposed TO those Of wind sea
going armed ships; and this fact, in addition
To the considerations just mentioned, renders
il next TO impossible that the Steam War Ship
shall ever be adopted as an arm of the public
defence, until the Administration of the naval
service by the Executive shall be taken out Of
the hands Of Naval Men and coniided 10 CT.
villains. The purity and efficiency Of both the
War and Navy Departments absolutely re-
quire that this should be done by Congress, -
and much more so, il Congress desires to make
Steam the principal means Of harbor aud river
defence, and Of the protection of our Com.
merce on the high seas.
But we hope never TO see large Steam
Navy any more than large Army in time OF
peace. The Naval Establishment has ALWAYS
been too large for the wants Of the Country.
II has been a huge moth, deyouring the PEG
pies substance and rendering no real service
TO any one bu, TO the officers themselves. MIR.
Corwin at the Chicago Convention said tina,
for the last twenty years the peace expendi-
ture for the Army and Navy consumed annu-
ally 50 per cent Of the public revenue. What
50 per cent? The mosr extravagant opponent
of these peace war establishments (f we may
so speak, has never reached to such poin,
in his calculations, but Mr.. Corwin has devel-
oped the fact. When peace is restored, il in.
deed j, be ever restored--of which we have no
II will becnrnn the d,,fu nf C..r-a.. ~