Daily American telegraph., 1852-02-24
AMERICAN TELEGRAPH.
OCEAN STEAM NAVIGATION.


OCEAN STEAM NAVIGATION.
. Two things are worthy of note with respect
to our ocean steamers--the vast Importance
of the enterprise, and the astonishing success
which has attended even the initiatory steps
taken by the United States in the matter. The
former cannot be overrated; the latter has ex-.
cited the wonder and admiration of the world,
while upon the maintenance of the superiority
already achieved dependsin a great degree our
continued and increasing elevation in the scale
OF nations. Spreading over and almost ex-
clusively occupying this great continent, and
seeking foreign markets for the abundant pro-
ducts of eur soil, it behooyes the Government,
we think, by every constitutional means, to
foster those enterprises which aim at the
supremacy of the seas. In sailing vessels we
have long since borne away the palm from the
mercantile nayies Of the world, by common
and universal consent and in ocean steamers
we have already asserted our superiority, Amer
lean steamers having performed the quickest
passages, though the finest vessels which the
long -practiced skill of our commercial rivals
could produce have been pitted against them.
When it is remembered that England has
had fifteen years experience in the building of
ocean steamers, and it is yet but six years since
the first American-built steamer crossed the
ocean, the greatness of our tricmph will be ap-
parent nor less satisfactory will be the grounds
of confidence that the same admitted superiori-
ty awaits us in respect to our steamers that
has so long been conceded with reference to
our line or packet ships. The facts connected
with this subject have a prophetic meaning,
which cannot be misunderstood. 1t would be
idle to dispute about the past, while future tr-
umphs are made sure by the retrospect. Great
Britain has gradually attained her high posi-
tion. Experience and time and governmental
aid have built up by slow though sure processes,
that noble fleet known as the royal mail, or
Cunard, steamers while those of the United
States leaped at once to pre-eminence, the ex-
perence and the aid from the State, which had
been hitherto deemed prerequisites of success,
having been almost entirely dispensed with.
1t is found, however, by experience, that this
has been done at cost for which the returns
do not compensate, and the public spirit which
has prompted to the enterprise has not recev-
ed the pecuniary reward which we all wish
had been bestowed upon it. Hence memorials
are now before Congress- asking increased
pecuniary aid to two of our lines of ocean
isteamers-the one plying between Havre and
this port, and the other (the Collins line, to
which undeniably high praise is duel plying
between this port and Liverpool. 1t cannot
be denied that these applications involve a
grave question-an important principle. With
respect to compensation to the owners of the
Collins line for extra mail services performed
| at the request of the Post Office Department
| services rendered, too without hesitation, on the
faith of compensation hereafter to be accord
ed by Congress-we assume that there can be no
demur on the part of Congress to meet the
claim; it would be positively unjust as it would
be unworthy of the Government, to hold back
a just recompense for any services not provided
| for in the original contract but asked by and
granted to one of the Departments of the Gov
ernment, as necessary for the public convent
ence. To that the proprietors are entitled,
on the common principles of business transac-
tions.
But on the further application of either of the
lines in question for what is virtually rescind-
ing of the existing contract, and the substitu-
tion of another more favorable to the proprie-
tors of the steamers, there is room for differ
ence of opinion. One strong argument urged
| against it, and in our opinion the strongest, is
that it very materially affects the interests of
that large proportion of our mercantile COM
munity whose capital is invested in sailing ves-
sells. 1t has been urged, and with the force of
facts, that by the governmental support of the
ocean steamers, our steam marine is placed in
such an advantageous position that they can
take freight at rate which, the difference of
speed being considered will deprive sailing ves-
sells Of all chance of competing with steamers.
This statement certainly deserves to be we'll
considered. The entcrprising proprietors of
our noble lines of sailing packets are entitled
to voice in this matter They can no more
be crushed with safety to our maritime pre-
emincnce than can our steamers; nor ought the
fact to be lost sight of that they were, at their
own expense and risk, and without such aid
as that for which the ocean steamers now ap-
ply, the first to demonstrate our maritime
superiority. And it seems to us that the Gov
ernment cannot in view Of the large amount
of capital invested in sailing vessels, lose sight
of that interest while fostering the important
interest of steam marine.
The second point of objection is, that the
proprietors of the two lines of oceanssteamers
whose memorials are now before Congress,
voluntarily entered into their present arrange
ments with the Government of the United
States, their enterprise being in fact private
speculation and that any increase of Govern
ment patronage will inure so far rs pecuniary
considerations only are involved, to the profit
of the company There is some force also in
Vh'e' Aho opJecClon, ho"e'ei; .ooeo Soiio Va iOS
weight when other considerations are placed
in the scale In the first place, none could
have undertaken such an enterprise without
such adventitions aid. The Cunard steamers
we're started and have succeeded only under
such fostering care. Indeed, many, who have
given the subject close attention and investiga-
tion express their decided conviction that
steam navigation of the Atlantic will not pay,
of itself Yet the Importance Of a steam mer-
camille marine to any nationis universally ad-
mitted. Conscious Of this fact Great Britain
has literally fostered the enterprise of Mr..
Cnnard and the United States has to some ex-