American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-09-30
+" The Mistress OF the Seas"

"T The Mistress OF the Seas"
The old prophecy, or Sybilline Oracle, .
"Merln," ran
ssWhen Neptune's back with stripes Is red,
The sickly lion shall hide its head"
The interpretation given to this was ina
when the navy of America should cover 'n'
seas with its red stripes, Brtain's Pride wouiu
be humbled. We have no desire TO hulnoio 'ns
Just pride of Britain, nor to assume LOT our VA,
ton the title of - Mistress OF the seas
vii, he sufficient for us to feel that we are her
oono, mo, the ocean, and it will be no source
Of regret to perceive that we have many equals,
late number Of the London Shipping Ga
sette has the following paragraph, in an article
upon the future of America:
sWe have no desire, at present, to enter
upon any question of disputed policy; but we
wish to record our opinion that the empire OF
the seas must, before long, be coded to America;
its persevering enterprise, its great and accru-
ing wealth. certain to secure this prize
nor will England be in situation to dispute 1t
with her. Without this GROWING capital to its
power, the onward march of the United States
to what we believe will be overwhelming great
ness, might not be so speedily accomplished;
but America, as mistress of the ocean, must
overstrde the civilized world"
May it never be the ambition of the United
States to "overstride the civilized world" nor
any part of it; but may we always recognise
the right of man to lf-government, and may our
warfare never tend to other objects than the
preservation of this right to ourselves, and the
procurement of it for others who desire to pos
sess it, We need no more extended territory
than we possess. The Union as it is will adhere
together, and in extending its limits we may but
ely to evils that we know not Of"
Touching the navy, however: we entertain a
lively hope that the power Of steam will prove
the means Of dignifying the Office of this vast
arm of the national prowess, and that the ships
in the service Of our government will ere long
prove messengers of peace to the people Of
every cline. We believe the day is not far dis
tant in which the cruise of naval ship will be
in direct line from port to port, in the per-
formance Of duties useful to the great family Of
man, in disseminating the light Of knowledge and
goodwill wherever man has his abiding place.
The glory of American mariners is even now
in the merchant service. 1t is the MEN who
impart this glory to the nation. The men and
vessels of our navy have never been wanting in
efficiency in the hour of trial; but it is to our
ments Of superior skill and invincible power.
There has been the mariners best school, and
the source Of our navy's greatest pride! But
what will not our navy prove, when 1.-THE dram
and the lash unknownD every ship upon the
ocean shall be commanded by educated and
accomplished officers, and manned by men who
would disdain to brook other authority than the
laws of their country in their just adaninistra-
ton!
1t is declared by many, and even by distin-
guished officer of the American navy, that
the dram, are essential to proper economy,
good discipline, and wholesome state of feeling
We do not believe word of it. There is no
other very strict economy used in the service,
and we object to any such niggardness in wages
as shall keep Americans from serving on board
our ships as seamen; We object, also, to any
mode of discipline that can tend to degrade an
american; and we object to even the faintest
sanction of the use of a stimulant that is Ger
tainly unnecessary, and that has ever proved the
greatest bane of the uncared-for sailor.
If we are told that these things are all neces-
sary to "the class of men" who ship on board
our vessels, we reply that the doing away with
them viii certainly effect the desired object,
and bring in the proper class of men-men
from the great class of frecmen, who recognise
the existence of no classes, save such as distin-
guish the honest, the Industrious, and the
worthy from the base and the degraded. As
surely as effect follows cause, SO surely will
good men be found in every ship upon the
ocean, when good wages aud good treatment
are guaranteed; and this effect in time becom-
ing cause, we shall possess a navy that will
prove the pride OF our country and a blessing
to the world.
Our Naval School is new auxiliary in the
service, and its influence will prove benefcent
in the highest degree. In past times the Amer
Jean Navy has derived honor from the high
character and attachments Of its officers; but
for it there is truly ga better day coming"
when every man who shall boast tho proud title
of an American Naval Officer will be found in
all respects worthy his high position.
RE-INTERMENT OF GIRARD.-To-day Phila-
delphia beholds an imposing spectacle. Quite
generation has elapsed, the Bulletin says,
since that city has beheld n Masonic parade, so
that to the great mass of spectators, the pro-
cession will be an entire novelty "The Ma
sonic fraternity deserve credit, VIC would add,
for the spirited display which they inter.d to
make, not less than for the honor which they
pay to the memory Of their departed brot her.
The orator Of the day, the Hon. JOSEPH. X.
Chandler, late Grand Master, is known to the
community as one Of the most finished speak ers
which our country affords, for occasions Il Ike
the present; and there is no doubt that, in
spired by the event, the scene, and the pr o.