The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-04-17

Navigation I4ws
We know not whether to be glad or sorry at the
news brought by the Niagara in regard to the
probable action of the British Parliament on the
subject of the Navigation Laws 1t is said that on
the second residing of the bill for the modification
of the existing laws a majority OF only % was OBJ
tanned in house of 476 members 1t seems, too,
that in arguing the question in the House of Com.
mons, members asserted that the reciprocity which
the bill contemplated is a mere assumption and
doubts were expressed whether the American or
any other nation will grant the reciprocal advan-
tage which the friends of Mr. I.abouchere's mea-
sure anticipate.
For an American there is cause both for Joy and
regret that the English measure should not have
been more successful than We are led to suppose it
was from the full Geographic reports transmitted to
the New York press. As citizens of the world we
must regret that measure fraught with so much
benefit to commerce at large, and to American
commerce in particular, should be defeated or de-
layed for any length of time. Besides the immense
weight of influence which British example would
have on Europe in general, the direct and immedi-
ate advantages of the abolition of English naviga
ton laws were sufficient to inspire every one with
the hope that Mr.. Laboucheres bill would be car
triumphant majorities. Certainly, The longer the
measure is postponed the worse il will be for the
world, and the more will the industry and COM
merce Of the globe be held back by the artificial
restraints which the English Government in par
ticular has imposed on trade and navigation. But
if in regarding the interests Of the race we were
disposed to wish the British reformers all manner
of success, as Americans we were little ashamed
that England should "get the start of the majestic
world and bear the palm alone.'
We were anxious that the United States, which
have been the harbinger of so many of the great
improvements introduced into political science,
should also be the first to carry the doctrine of
Free Trade into navigation. We were the imita-
tors of Britain, when we put the navigation law
into our statute-book it would be too bad if we
were to keep just little in the wake of English
legislation, and erase the laws we had copied as
soon as British Legislators had found it convenient
to get rid Of the laws which they so long and so
jealousy maintained As the British Parliament
appears to be advancing slowly in the work of abol-
ishng these laws, we hope that the American gov
eminent will yet be able to take the initiative and
lead she has heretofore often led, in the career
of progress and the amelioration of the race
4Noi uo VIC IL iHcOIlSISlcut WIFI an en-
larged and liberal philanthropy, to be thus anxious
that our country should take precedence in all that
pertains to the welfare and development of human
ity. The individual is the centre of an infinite
number of concentric circles, and his benevolence
must have passed through the smaller and more in
ternal circles before it can enlarge in the great
curves which lie more remote from the centre. As
the love of country is founded on the love of family
so general philanthropy is based on patriotism
Anxious as we are 10 see the human race advance
rapid possible in every thing that tends to in
crease its happiness and we-being, we rejoice SUI
when our own countrymen are the
agents in effecting ends so desirable 1t is for this
reason that we half pleased, as well as little
disappointed, by the news that Mr. Labouchere's
bill has not been altogether successful The delay
Of few months on the part of British Legislators,
nay give American statesmen an opportunity of
being the first to get clear of those shipping laws
which have so long been restraints and mpediments
o our commerce. Our tariff law of 1916, fur
lished England with an example, and reason for
'hange in her system of levying duties; why
hould we not also tell her that we have found use
ess those other statutes in regard to shipping, which
We have so unthinkingly copied, and have with |
UGH foolish obsinacy so long upheld!