The republic., 1851-01-28

That such 10 their origin, the times at which
they appear, and the system with which they
are propagated, leave little room to doubt The
general feeling of local interest, and the ma
tional prejudice in England, give these ru-
mors an abiding, not to say fatal, effect
Well knowing that the reputation of a ship, in
which men risk their lives and their properly,
is Of the most delicate character, and may be
ruined by the lightest breath of rumor, the
operators in this case have found it both conve-
nient and easy to poison the railways and
thoroughfares of England with their ISLANDERS.
A gentleman interested in the COLLINS line,
travelling in England short time since, was
told by an intelligent stranger whom he met
in one Of the cars, that the American steamers
were built Of green timber, and were already
falling to pieces. Mr.. COLLINS himself being
lately in London, as we hear, was kindly and
gratuitously advised by bank clerk-a total
stranger-not to take passage in any American
steamer, as they were universally considered
unsafe
Such is aspecimen Of the artifices now prac-
tised in England against the COLLINS steamers.
The Bremen and Havre lines have Deen less
the objects Of this species Of warfare, because
they are less direct competitors of the CuKARp
ships. Yet as the Franklin was recently taking
in her freight at Havre, in order to strike ia
tai blow at her success, the CUNARD line an
nounced that they would take freight from that
port to New York for ten dollars ton, which
was about one-third of the fair rate. This was
done while the shippers from Liverpool were
held to the ordinary prices of thirty or thirty
five dollars ton. We rejoice to say that the
agents of the Franklin disdained to enter into
this mean and corrupting competition, and even
the shippers at Havre scorned the bribe. The
Franklin came with full freight, at regular
prices, leaving the CuNARD line fully exposed
before the world, as to the spirit with which
it is conducted, and that too without even the
solace Of success.
We note these facts, not for the purpose Of
provoking retaliation in kind, for we hope and
trust the Americans will never descend to this
unworthy species Of warfare. We notice it
only to keep our countrymen apprised of the
character of those with whom we have to deal
in the impending competition, and, indeed, in
every competition with British agents.
Though we have no doubt of the final issue
of this rivalry in steam navigation, we con-
ceive it proper to make few suggestions,
which may moderate our expectations of i'm
mediate supremacy. 1t must be remembered,
that, from the beginning, steam navigation
was mainly employed by us upon our rivers.
These, hundreds or thousands of miles in
length, traversing the very depths Of the
country, naturally became the theatre of our
first triumphs in this noble discovery. 1t was
glory enough that we were able TO convert
these into the great thoroughfares of travel and
trade, ere yet the old world was fully awake to
the new era which had begun. Our steamboats,,
thus confined to shallow waters and influenced
by the spirit of the country, soon became sub
ject to keen competition for speed. The
swiftest boat was, Of course, deemed the best
All the genius of our artisans was bent to this
species of excellence, and accordingly we soon
led the world in the celebrity of our steamers.
Our boats, III their very models, suggested by
their length and lightness the predominant pur-
pose of their construction. The arrow in its
flight, or the outstretched swan skimming the
wave, were avorte images associated with our
steamers, and gave name to some of the most
popular and successful boats.
1t is true, indeed, that our river navigation
at first matter of thrift and convenience
speedily became also matter Of luxury. While
sailing up or down the Hudson, the Ohio, or the
Mississippi some of the finest scenery in theworld
was added to the advantage Of unrivalled speed in
the passage. Thus by degrees our steamers
were converted into floating palaces, with the
sumptuous decorations of architecture, and the
gustful allurements of the table. All this, how
ever, was rather incidental, the main idea Of
excelling in speed, still continuing to prevail.
1t was just the reverse in Great Britain. Here
the most renowned rivers are but little larger
than our mill-streams. Her steamers were
to traverse the turbulent waters, which never
cease to foam and thunder around her rocky
coasts. 1t was from the very beginning bat
tie of might with might-of human will and
strengths against the wonted mastery Of the deep.
1t was not, as In the old navigation, contest
in which the wind was seduced into coquetry
with the sea-the trick of the rudder teaching
the ship to glide over and avoid, rather than
meet the shock of the waves. A new pow
er, dug by mans arm from the bowels of
the earth, and linked with iron by mans
invention, was to impel the vessel in the very
teeth of the wind, and against the very breast
Of the embattled billows 1t was strife wor-
thy of the descendants of the Sea- Kings of other
days. In superstitious age of the world 1t
would have been regarded as an impious waging
of war upon the gods. How would these things
have rung in the sonorous numbers of the
Father of Poetry?
Yet such was Britain's apprenticeship in
steam navigation. While the motto Of our
steamers was go ahead, hers swas of necessity go
sure. And thus for five and twenty years the
people of the British islands have been trained