The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-02-06
The Great National Contest.

n.
In an age like this, when the real rivalries and
contests OF nations are carried on not SO much by
regiments and ff!sates as by means Of the shuttle,
the railway and the steambeat-it IS curious and
important 10 note the progress OF different coun-
tries in those practical arts and sciences which
more Immediately promote these friendly national
contests. European statesmen have all watched
with wonder, and not q few OF them with alarm.
the tremendous accession OF powerw which the rapid
development of railways, telegraphs, aad steam
navigation in the United States has given 10 the
people OF North America. an accession OF POLITICAL
and material influence ia the affairs of the world,
which seems 10 stand in almost starting dspropor-
ton 10 the mere weight OF the masses oi popul2-
ton. The Brazlls, BY nature far richer than the
northern States in all the raw materials OF power,
have no more voice in determining the direction OF
great historical events than petty German o.
Italian principally. Belgium, covered with ral-
ways, and dotted with manufactures, has already
more active influence in Europe than .he once pow
erful and magnhcert Liagdom OF SPAN. Sci nee
multiples the re.uGTces OF NATIONS III al eX.raor-
binary degree; and older games ot anh.rca ire so
tar gone out Of modern fashion, 10. s.atesnle 4,
with the rue i.siincts u me future about them
are less and less about drilling regiments, and
more aud more about promoting science. 1ne
trials Vi strength in ths noble contest III Itp.esent
chiefly between the two gIesI divisions Of the
Anglo Saxon race. England by ilsular possion,
ana America by her eogaphical gc.loteness sand
toleraby free from The wear OF intellect and vase
Of material means which are daily seen IN The 70
liticel struggles of continental Europe and they
are, GO X ttAG.B thC4cio4St
fair terms OF competition. With The shuttle Eng
land might be con tucTea, even While he. hearts Of
oak dehed the world French army on The coast
OF Deyonshlre or Kent nigh. prove passing evil
but combination OF natural and mechanical adj
yantages secured 10 the workshops Of the Uaited
States, would be utter aud irretrieyablc rua
Thus far, the shuttle Of Manchester beats the
shuttle OF Lowell; hitherto, the steam vessel OF
Liverpool has outspcu that of New York. Bu. the
forces Hre nearly matched "a 10 lend all the
charm Ct an uncertain issue to the struggle. ks-
pecldly is this the case with the ocean steamers
In river, lake and coast navigation, America has
lorg carried away the palm of victory The boats
on the Rhine. the Elbe, the Clyde, the Thames,
and The Scheldt re not tor moment 10 be conI-
pared with the ''tioatDg palaces" on the hudson,
the Delaware and the Potomac, either for rate of
sailing or for msanihcence Of fitting up. We have
been credlby told of vessels steamng dowl the
mississippi the rate OF tweny-hye-mlles an hour
But in ocean navigation, longer practice aud equal
ENTERPRISE sill keep US slightly ahead of ener
geiic desce ndants We are proud OF our riyals-as
/ they are proud OF our rivalry. To the general
reader et home 1t IL next TO impossible to convey
al adequate idea of the interest which the con-
tests Between The English and American mails cx-
cite in Boston, New York and Philadelphia Each
run Is carefully noted aud compared; fears are ex
citt d, hopes raised, by every voyage; and half
dozen hours in The length OF trip of three thous-
and miles Is thought considerable variation.
The struggle Tor mastery al this moment lies b.
tween The English mail Asia and the American
mail Atlanuc; and the recent yoyag OF the Asia
was lhG qulCktst ever Yet performed. MS Pas
sage rom New \ ork to Liverpool was made in
ten days four hours aud five minutes, being foar
hours ana fifteen minutes less than The best voyage
eastward made by the Atlantic. The New ork-
building srill more powerful vessels for this
line Of service. The prIze is great one The
HtetestS vessels must carry out Letters, orders,
news, government dispatches; and, having the
prestige Of scientific excellence and success, will
generally command choice OF the passenger traf-
tie. In this rivalry The Americans possess grea,
advantage over u.s. in being less fettered in their
action by government iohbing ana monopoly.