The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-05-14
The Poetry Of Steam.

"What have done that mine enemy should
praise mel" may Gen. CAss exclaim, when he
reads the high flown eulogum which the New
York Mirror passes upon him for his champion
ship of the Collins appropriation. The paper
referred to is a well known Wing organ, edited
by an oGcs holder-and prettier specimen of
what is denomina!ed "high-falutin than the
eulogum referred to, has seldom fallen under
our observation. The effervescence produced by
that champagne on board the Baltic cannot yet
have snbsided. We give our readers few sips
"GEN. CAss SPEECH ON THE COLLINS LINE
The brilliant oratory and sound craftsmanship
of General Cass' speech in favor of the adoption
of the amendment giving further aid to the
Collins line Of steamers-nade in the United
States Senate, on last Friday--has seldom been
excelIed If written out by the orator himself
it would inevitably take its place among the
| finest specimens of Thought and eOquence which
that august body, the Senate, has given to the
world. IL was Il noble effort in a noble cause
Cass, the American statesman of half Il century,
full Of honors and covered with renown, has ex-
utingly seen citizen Of New York, like Vi
King OF old, send down to the great waters his
ships, and ,heAe proudly advance his nations
banner in undisputed supremacy over the ocean,
which had been the "home" of mighty power
for hundreds of yesrr; and. the statesman, in
lis JOY. utters words almost rythmica in their
flow, while they force conviction on the minds
OF men the most prejudiced against the measure
which the orator is advocating.
We earnestly wish that the Generals speech
may be read by every citizen of this country
we feel that its arguments alone would direct
public opinion in favor of sustaining that glorious
line OF steamships which have placed us in the
front OF maritime nations y
Who, after this. can be 80 malignant or stupid
as to regard Collins request as exhorbtant!
Here is a burst of eloquence and truth that
would do honor to any orator living or dead -
81 have been struck" snid CASE, with the
singular coincidence between the remarks Of
Mr.. Jones and Mr. Hunter They both consid.
cred the allowance as affording protection, but
what kind of protection. 1t was protection, but
what kind of protection? 1t was affordng pro-
lection to the honor, the flag, the commerce,
the safety of our sea coast, our SOIL our whole
country, against foreign violence and invasion
:" 1t might as well be said, that when a gov
eminent vessel sails with a convoy in time of
war, it is wrong, because it is protection; and
that, if government did not do SO, others would
come in and offer their services.
When we see how the Collins line has out
stripped its British comp ettor-has in fact
placed the trident in our hands-is it possible
that Mr.. Collins request will not be granted
Even the Tribune" while acknowledging IFS
personal dislike Of all connected with the line
says it has earned the money aud let Congress
pay it,"
Wallace never wrote truer lines than those
which occur in his celebrated lyric, supposed by
the poet TO be spoken by Collins msjesti,
steamships:
Not as besgurs at your portals, stretching ou
imploring palms,
Have We asked we, do we ask ye, WILL we ask ye
for your AIMS
No! as those who true and valiant. added glory
! to your zone,
Here, the MASTERS OF THE OCEAN, we but ask Va
for OUR owN!"
Let Congress ut once grant Collins request
| The nation demands it. Our Heaven starred
flag, which has 1oated so gloriously, SO triumph
antly from the masthead of the Atlantic
must not be furled. Shame, eternal shame
upon us, if it is laid away, amid the splendid
but Wondering relics OF the past--showing
that mighty nation, either from Iiggardness
or obtuseness, or insane sectional jealousy
stopped in it's career of grandeur and glory!