The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-01-08
WASHINGTON WEDNESDAY MORNING, JANUARY s. 1851

of Parliament; but while we would limit the power
of the Legislature in doing good, we not
but that II has an unlimited capability of doing
mischief We therefore think that more conf
dcnce ID to be placed in the exertions of our
chonts and shipbuilders than in any aid can
reasonably expect from the Legislature.
The first subject which obviously presents itself
to the mind is the necessity of fighting the United
States with their own weapons; and, having ascer- r
tained the mercantile value of speed, must lose
time in adopting such course as will ensure to
us a better model of shipping. and its consequent
result, an improved capacity OF speed
To effect this great object, two particulars must
be regarded; the first and most obvious of which ID
the necessity of giving attention to the art of
naval construction than have hitherto done; the
second particular is the necessity of ascertaining
how far the present existing state of the law Of
gistration has tendency to impede the advance
ment oil naval architecture, and H. upon lnvestiga-
ton, it s found to be in state which produces such
effect, to take for modifying il
cordipgly Ii ia clear that the time 10 arrived at
which we must sacrifice capacity for symmetry,
and qualities which procure speed. Experience
has ascerained the fact, and our competitors have
already reduced it to practice. II is said that the
American liners, which were formerly considered
fast sailing ships could be built with profit
merchantmen, are to yield to a class OF vessels
whose capacities will realize one fifth less than the
liners OF the same nominal tonnage, and there Is lit
tie doubt that this is the correct principle. Tor with
an active competition, II Is utturly absurd ~ sup
pose that high sailing qualities will be disregarded,
orthatinferior auatieso of sailing will
in deciding upon the relative merits of active com
petitor-. At the present moment the fastest and
best vessels have virtually monopoly IN the mar
kct they command the best terms for freight,
while ships of inferior order remain unem
ployed forced into different line of trade.
We trust that the ship builders of this country will
the Importance OF directing their attention to
the improvement of their art with them rests the
only means of warding off an evil which We shud
der to anticipate In other countries, the govern
ment, as the paterfamiias, generally leads the way
in great national movements; but, in the present
instance, we have little to hope for either in the
example efforts of our own Board Of Admiralty.
All the assistance that we can reasonably antici
pate, Ia an abstinence on the part Of the govern
ment from imposng laws which may stand in the
way OF our architectural progress What amount
Of science is wanted must be supplied by the mer
chants themselves; the Admiralty have none to
contrili'ite. and. with some rare exceptions, the
government builders greatly behind the pre-
sent condition of naval architecture With pow
erful an inducement as self preservation, and the
certain alternative Of utter destruction staring us
in the face. II the present moment be neglected,
We trust that our, zeal may be pardoned in thus
ergetically calling upon our countrymen to gird
up their loins against the day of battle, TO trust TO
themselves single handed, and convince the world
that the sceptre of the seas has not been unworth
ly reposed i'll the keeping Of Britannia.