The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-11-13
Circulation OF the other Leading Morning
state OF EurOpe-EnlargementO of the Ame-
rfcan Steam Marine.


It's conceded on all hands, that the election of
General Taylor to the Presidency, by an over.
whelming by this party or by that, but by
the independent, thinking, and acting masses of
all partiee-wll be the signal of the commence
ment of era IN the history of the United
States. For many years past, the interests OF the
country have been made subservlent to those of
faction; and the government has been conducted
In such a manner TO warrant the belief that the
wishes and desires OF political wlre-pullers and
crafty intrguers together with the distribution of
honors and Offices, were the only matters which
were really deserving OF attention and debera-
ton In fact. to great extent has this been
ried that our eeclions-State as well as national
degenerated into mere contests between rival fac
tons and rival parties, for the spoils OF office.
There is good prospect, however, that this sys-
TEN will be broken to pieces by General Taylor,
and that the administration of our government
will be conducted by him more with the view to
the interests and advantages of the couty, and to
the promotion of Its industry and happiness, than
to the furtherance of factIenal schemes or the
aggrandIsemept of factional politicians.
A few days since, we pointed out few of the
principal measures which ought 10 occupy the
attention of the new admlnlstration-one of which
was the increase of the naval force Of the United
States, and especially the addition of fleet of
steamships of war. This increase Is loudly called
for at the present time, and may be needed
before most people aware of 1t. When His
Holiness the Pope set the ball OF revolu-
ton in motion in Italy, no one conceived that
1t would have created such commotion In the
whole of Europe as it has DONE Nobody ina
glned for moment that in less than year after
he preached his liberal opinions on political SUBJ
jects, thrones which were considered as fixed and
immovable as anything human could be, would
totter and fall-that the King of the Barbados
would be overthrown; nor that the whole Cont
nent would rise up suddenly, as if animated with
a new spirit, from slumber Of ages, and preach
revolution and democracy In a part of the world
where the night Divine of kings to rule, was the
long maintained principle of political faith. Yet
such is the fact Europe Is in blaze; mighty
changes are going on there from day to day. and
before quiet and order shall be again restored,
many more thrones will fall, and many more re,
volutions and wars will probably take place.
The United States will maintain, as long as
possible. a neutral and passive position, and will
not interfere actively, one way or the other, IN
the contests which are now going on, or which
may hereafter take place, in Europe. But If she
be placed in such position that her power and
dignity would require her to lift her hand, either
in self defence, or to punish wanton aggression or
insult, she ought to be possessed of the power to
do so with effect To do this, she would be de-
pendent on her naval power Again: our COM
merce is so widely extended, and our commercial
relations with every part OF Europe so init
mate and diversified, that our ships are seen IN
every sea, and anchor in every harbor in the CT
vilized world. They need the protecting arm OF
government, and should have 1t. But to be able
10 give this protection, we should have fleet
OF steamships sufficient to cope successfully
with that OF any other country. We should
be properly prepared for any emergency that
may arise and no one can tell when we
may be called upon to give exhibition
of our power. This ought TO be Of the first
me assures that should occupy the attention of the
new administration. Contrasted with the naval
forces Of Great Britain and France, that of the
United States is quite insignificant, especially as
regards steamships Of war. We have, apparently,
been regardless of the great revolution which
steam has been making in the science of naval
warfare during the last eight or ten years; while
all the European nations have kept pace with 1t,
and availed themselves OF this new and great ele-
ment, to the best OF their ability And this, too,
when we actually have much need Of steam
navy as either Great Britain or France. Our CON-
a greater in extent, In tonnage, and In the
number OF men, and in the amount Of capital en-
ployed, than that Of any country in the world, with
the single exception Of England; and we shall
exceed that country, even, in this branch Of
dustry, before many years. In the collision that
may take place in the wars with which Europe is
menaced. our commerce will be IN danger Of suf-
ierng, II there be adequate force on those seas
to protect il. We sincerely hope, therefore, that
this important subject will receive some attention
from The new administration, ard that i, will take