The New York herald., 1851-12-23


Sailing
Steamers. Uesseis
The Home squadron ................ 8
The Medterranean squadron. ......
The African squadron.
The Brazil squadron. on..................- 3
The Pacific squadron ............... 10
East India and China squsdron....... 1 3
In addition to these, We have some half dozen
other steamers Of the hrst Glass; including several
being fitted for sea, and some fifteen or twenty
additional sailing vessels, in commission or in ord
nary.
This is our pea,e esta blishment. In case of an
aggressive war against this republic, hundred
steamers and an nnumerabe feet of sailing vessels
could be got in readiness for active service in less
than six months. We have the vis inertia for
successful defence against the combined powers of
tke world, on land or sea. But, for immediate ac
tion, upon scale commensurate with the require
msnts of general European war, We are in bad
way, even for the protection Of our own commerce.
Our peace establishment is insufi,ient for the
duty of competent protection to worldwide, and
constantly increasing, commercial marine. Two
small steamers for the African coast, for example,
would be more efficient in suppressing the slave
trade than Eve sailing vessels upon that station
The Secretary of the Navy recommends an addi-
tion of small steamers to the service, as best adapt
suspicious inlets, as necessity may require. And
think it is easy Of demonstration that one small
steamer is better than the numbering hulk Of a
gate, except for stand It'll defensive purposes; as,
for example, where a ship may be placed in the
narrow channel of . river to keep guard. Two
small steamers Of Eve guns can be made more ef
fectve than one large one Of ten guns in any way.
Mr.. Graham is, therefore, pursuing what may be
reasonably considered the wisest policy, in recon-
mending an increase to the navy by the addition
Of competent number of small steamers to the
active peace establishment During the last twelve
months, the presence Of steamer or two within
striking distance Of the ports Of Central America,
on both Sides might have curtaled the outrages Of
British agents in that quarter, and preveRted the
late insult to the American flag q. Greytown. And
the may be said Of certain bold enterprises Of
the British on the coast Of Brazil and Buenos Ayres
few war steamers for some time past have been
sadly needed at that important station, in main
tanning the rights of our commerce, as well as in
cutting of the illicit African slave traffic under the
American flag.
Assuming that the general peace Of 1851 will be
continued, our effective navy is altogether inef-
cient-in active steamers espscially-for tie proteo
ton Of our vast commerce al over the globe, and
the maintenance Of at least equal privileges Of trade
with friendly powers that are possessed by England
and France. But assuming that there is the imni
nent hazard Of general European convulsion, and
that there is q very manifest probability Of our be-
ing involved in it, upon the doctrine Of active inter
vention, our present naval establishment. IL too
weak to be left upon the high seas for its own de-
fence.
Peace or war our navy sho aid be promptly strength
sned by liberal supply efsmal eamers especially
for the Mediterranean stations but in view OF the
contingency Of war, not only should Congress attend
more literally to this essential preparation for ac-
tion, but they shosld act wisely in acting without
delay In peace prepare for war; at all events,
prepare for the necessities Of peace. We want
more steamers in the naval service. The advan.
tsges which they win secure to our commercial in
terests viii soon repay their cost to the treasury
Let the wise heads of Congress turn their attention
to this subject. five are going to declare war, We
must be armed IL not, We must at least be able to
defend ourselves.
The PnasIa FATHERs-A YASkEE Moyoror.Y.
The address Of Mr.. Hillard, last night, in com
memorat Of the Pilgrims Of Plymouth Rock,
was, ofoourse, great thing for their descendants.
We have no doubt the glorfcation will DO done
TO . turn" tonight, at the festival at the Astor
Houe. But it is time the merits Of this Yankee
monopoly Of the FIRST white settlements we're exs-
mined into. Mrs. Renans, an English lady Of a
highly poetic Imagination, in her poem to he Pu-
ritan fathers, says
"Ay, call II holy ground
The fpot where fret they tred
They lett unstained What there they found
Freedom TO worship God.h
which is good poetry but very bal history Let
the poor Quakers and the witches Of Sales an
swer. The fact Is, that 50 far from establishing
religious freedom, the Purtans we're hard
shelled community, and they established of the
most arbitrary and despoto little olgsrchies that
ever existed, and the traces Of II remain in New
England TO this day. Nor we're the Pilgrim
Fathers the pioneer white settlers Of the unitod
colonies, BY q long shot. The settlement Of James
town, in Virginia, 10 1907, was litse in advance
of the landing Of the Northern Pilgrims Of 1922.
and though the Virginia Cavaliers established the
Church Of England. there was far more Of religious
liberation among the N tn in the colony OF Mas
Bay And how infinitely superior 10
manly chivalry, and generous, high spirited, self
sacrificing devotion appears the character Of the
renowned Captain John Smith, in contrast With .ho
puritEnical, Indian. killing Captain Miles Ssandiss
But, again--oD the score Of religious freedom, j. /
was the Catholic Lord Baltimore, and bis Catholic \
Pilgrims in the Dove and the Ark, who. at 50. /
Mary's, in the State Of Maryland, thoroughly IN
troduced the doctrine into The American co ouies
Of England. gut while the pra,iple vas declared
as Law Of the colony, TIA. there should be Tree
dom to worship God" they we're compelled % SENT
to make IL good az aims. the desgns Of their nssh.
bors.
Thus, it appears. Tia. While on :ho point q
psority the hrst Virginia settlement vas .his.eea
years in advance Of The Plymouth colony. tho
Maryland colony q Sd. Iary's. on the other ba,l.
lakes away oil the s.o-y from .hs Par. ne. vita
gard TO religious freedom Trey au behind .-s
broad b0Nomed Krickc-bo.kcrs ~ Esv FORK .1
Die resrtct We trft hat 'at -ai--f-s ari