The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-02-17
For the Union.
Steam Lines In tho Pacific

Steam Lines In tho Pacific.
In our vew one Of the most remarkable commercial
and political phenomena Of modern times is the concep
ton and development OF the grand idea of navigating the
by steam power II s scarcely fifteen years since
the stormy and boisterous Atlantic first crossed by
an ocean steamer From that time various lines have
been projected and carried into execution until the
is tracked in every direction by powerful and spen
did steamships They connect and communicate with
every important port upon the shores of the Atlantic, and
beginning to penetrate the great Pacific and Indian
oceans Oceanic subserve their great purposes
in modern civilization and economy-namey they in.
troduce and most formidable element in the naval
power OF nations; they furnish the most efficient
for carrying out international postal arrangements and
they fast becoming the great carriers OF
and passengers upon the broad and almost mtess high
way OF the
la these great enterprises country has taken
high and honorable position Although not the first TO
undertake them, the American nation and people have
not been backward in entering the lists OF competi-
ton with other nations nor has their been
second TO that OF other nations. AT the present mo-
ment, without being charged with spirit OF vainglo-
rious boastng. we think may say that our ocean
steamers equal those OF any other nation beauty OF
model and efficiency OF construction, in the magni6cence
and spendor oil their and nish and in power and
speed. We think the whole world cannot produce line
OF steamers which compete with the Collins line
in all these particulars Those noble vessels indeed
objects which may Justly elicit the pride OF every pair
oc American At present they are peerless upon the
seas and haTbingers of that supremacy upon the
mountain wave which is TO in the lapse oil
time as the crowning glory of this mighty republic.
Although this country has made vast strides in The
Enlistment OF a steam marine both Tor war and com
mercial purposes, yet it hardly be said TO have
entered upon the threshold OF that great enterprise
The Pacific ocean, with its vast treasures OF COM
merce, if we can read correctly the portents OF the
IL. ha Tho thn md do
velo1ment OF the steam marine OF this country Oar
posse ssions on the western coast OF this continent
have brought US, II wefe in contact with the nations
which border upon the Pacific, and inhabt the vast
islands which sleep in its bosom The restless and in
domabe enterprise OF counrymen viii, in the
progress OF few short years, arouse the sluggish and
dormant nations OF the East into activity and CON-
mercc will grow up between them and the civilized ma
tons OF the world such has before been seen
The Pacific ocean is be the theatre OF this great
merce, and country is destined 10 be its enttp6
We regard this certain TO take place, II legs
aors and statesmen shall have the sagacy TO seize upon
the advantages which now presented as we have no
doubt they will Thus will our country have achieved
the apex OF its prosperity power, and glory standing
without rival in population, wealth, and material
s,reng among the nations OF the earth Such, 10 us,
seems TO be manifest destiny.
We regard therefore, the policy OF steam nayi.
CATION on the part Of government as settled We
gard il settled policy the part oil our government
TO encourage, far It can, in some proper way, the
enterprises OF citizens. and especially to aud the
pioneer lines The only question to be settled is, What
system OF policy to be adopted with regard these
enterprises, and what principle shall such aid as may
be needed be granted by the government
We regard il as important that this principle should be
settled al early day. before precedents shall have been
established which may lead TO the breaking down Of tina,
sautary policy which has heretofore been pursued by
republican orefaihers with regard TO matters bearing
strong affinity TO this We do not by any believe
be clear that Congress has the constitutional right TO
appropriate money to build steamers for private
cia uses az is in some cases urged has il the right,
in our Judgment issue the stocks OF the government
for the same purposes Between this and furnishing the
means for constructing railroads. and steamboats, for navi-
eating our rivers. and even supplying poscoaches for
mail contractors we can see no difference. We think
these modes Of appropratng The public money. or the
public credit not only Objectionable but IN our ludg
men,, they are unconstitutional We cannot see where
the policy. when once established, is to end II adopted
as permanen, system, il to us that door will
have been opened which will create greater demands upon
the treasury, and lead to exavagance and cornp
ton, than even the system OF internal improvements.
which il generally repnd'ated by the people. In
the even, OF the adoption of such system OF policy, we
fear that there would be end TO these demands OF
Interested persons upon the government 10 furnish means
for the establishment Of steam lines until should have
nearly the whole of the country fastened upon
the public treasury The prctex, thai steamers con-
structed by the aid OF the government, and liable at all
times to be taken for war purposes. in our hum
BILE Judgment is excuse for policy which will
lead 10 such results We cannot how republicans,
holding 10 strict construction of the constitution
favor policy such that to which we have alluded
How then shall the pioneer lines Of steamers be aided
by the government, without compromising any 'mpor-