The North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1834-1850, 1850-10-23

of the character of that singular race of men. In all
times they have been known to love their vessel
with the ardor of attachment which binds other men
to their families and their homes. Indeed. much OF
their efficiency is reerabe to that enthusiastic that ro
mantle feeling, which causes them to feel as though
the misfortune of their ship was their own personal
calamity and that she came in for her tuii share OF
any glory which they might acquire whilst sailing
or fighting on her decks. But, Sir, have consulted
old officers of the navy, whose faces have been bron-
zed by the vicissitudes of climate, and whose serv
to their country whilst acquiring the 'nd'e's OF
hardship and exposure to danger have placed their
names high upon the roll OF iame ! have not seen
the first one (athough doubtless there are some who
may hold the opposite opnion) who has expressed
the belief that those vessels now in the mail service
would make efficient war steamers. Their construe-
ton, their decks, and cabins, all forbid It, And the
attentions to be made would be material as to tor
bid all idea of economy in taking them rather than
build new ones. They not believed capable OF
carrying cannon sufficiently heavy 10 make them val
liable for that services and upon the whole, are not
adapted for effective employment in the vclssltudes
of maritime war.
Again, sir, the scheme would seem to include no
idea of the and tear OF those vessels: pre-
supposes both Immortality and ndesructibility in the
ships themselves We cannot be ignorant of the fact,
that the steamers are constantly exposed to
that they must wear out, become old, and, as war
steamers, valueess and if taken by the Government,
it must always be valuation, and that valuation we
know, will be favorable to the owners, and against
the party who purchases. The Treasury advances
money for the of taking possession OF the steam
er, upon paying full value to those who are owners
and corporators. If the Saranac, or any other war
steamer, has been njudicousy built 1t IS no reason
that the evil should be repeated. Matus us''s oooe'
dus eta known mistake ought not TO oe Preceoeh!
for another of the same kind. If the Government
has need of steamers for purposes OF Defence let US
build them, and have them ours, and under our own
control.
But, sir, there is another and most grave objec-
ton to this whole project. 1t is making this Govern
ment party TO the acts and enterprises, tne l;sSs
and speculaons of private corporations 1t Is bring
ing the power Of the Treasury and the influence OF
any Administration which may happen to be In pow
er to minge in the commercial concerns OF the coun
ty-to become competitors with private individuals
for freight, postages, and passengers-to throw the
might of the capital OF the treasury Of "'s grea'
Government into the scale ia favor Of one Sc: OF per-
sons and against another. 1t is but another ramca-
ion of those causes 80 prolific in producing effects
which are centraize all power here; to create and
keep in existence classes OF persons who look to the
Government not only for support but Tor wealh 10
is daily drawing all the powers of the States, as well
as the energies Of the people, to the vortex OF THIS
great political wsrlpoo. Government, sir is an evil
in ITSELF and thk people happiest and freest who
have the least mount of it that IS necessary 10 give
security to pro ,sf,y and to life. Whatever increases
its power or co"pllcates the machinery sa giea.
vii-rreat, because cumulative; great, because 1t
ever acquires eite. by fraud force, and never sur
renders except to the strong impulse OF fear, or The
stronger Of revolution. 1t Is because all ener-
prises which make this Government partner with
individuals does amount OF injustice TO those en-.
| raped in like adventures and who are unconnected
with the central power, exactly equal to the aava
tage which that connection gives 1t Is an lhtefer
ence with the business of the citizen-a usurPatlon
of those means of acquiring wealth open IN all good
governments, the energy and enterprise OF lndivia
uas. 1t would be just as wise' just as proper lo
US to manufacture cordage dig coal, make cotton and
weave cloth in partnership with corporations, as Il
own ships or divide profits with them. 1t IS no an
swer that interest will be paid upon the Governmen
| bonds which are advanced to the scheme. we are
unfortunately, money-borrowers and not money-iend
ers We are in the market to negotiate tor, not u
make loans or advances III
The Republican party repudated all connection
with the bank, because of the inproprlety OF III
Identification with corporation. How can we' con
sisten,y with that faith, unite with corporotion
ship-buiIders or ship-owners! 1t does not relieV
the subject of difficulty, that should prepare
steam navy with reference to the navy Of Great Br
l1ain or any other maritime power. have Away
been of opinion that either large standing army OF
great and powerful navy is not desirable unoer ou
form of government. l have been recently adnol
ished that the Executive is sufficiently strong tor IN
people or the peoples representatives, without an
, additional military or naval aid. We have weather
ed seventy years, from the childhood OF our Conet
eracy till this day. when We rank amongst te gFe'
Powers of the world, without even the usual amour
of troubles and disasters which beall nations IN sue
lapse of time. Whilst would cherish the nav
! and the gallant band which means IT, deem II vi
wise and impoitic to make it unduly strong. 1t h;
been equal to anv demand that has ever been mad
r upon it. and will continue to be so. Besides, 81
should war unhappiy be forced upon US, the stean
ers would have 10 into port for safety and cou
be as readily and cheaply purchased from the ow
k ers, or taken by the Government at valuation.
e 1t is no answer to this Mr.. Chairman. to say ths
e those vessels would not be built without the aid {
= the Government. They will be built 1t the lnves
, ment is either demanded by the necessities OF col
!. merce or promises good return tor the 'nvestme
h of capital. The Mississippi, with Its tnousa,
steamers has neither asked received aid from
o Treasury of the United States. Those splend
d boats, which asonish by the frequency with whl'
thew pass on the bosom of that mighty river, are
e the fruits of individual enterprise. Our lakes
dotted over with them and our bays ana rivers oe
It them all their boso'ns, aud private a"c
dividual industry called them all into being anu CIV
Of them their value. The ships whose masts look III
ID forest in your ports-whose canvass whltens eve
in sea-w hich pour d stream OF wealth into the laps
re our rcountrymen-bearing the products of this WI
IS domain to every port and every clime-they are
Of the fruits of individual energy, sustained b indv
r, ua capital, free and independent as the wind VIM
II, watts them over the waves, asking and receivi
t nothing Of the Government but protection from wro
b. and the enjoyment of right. Why, then, is it
to cessary for the Government to become partner
that service when you co,net.o the ocean? I
III mails are carried by contract 81 steamers on all
We other channels Of intercourse, a. why not ther
I'd What claims have ocean steamers IN the Governm
which are no. equally valid in reference to those
st the rivers, the bays, aqd the akes1 Sir this pol
nd increases the expenditures comPlicates theintere'
IN and extends the patronage Of the Government.