The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-04-25
For the Union.


War Steamers.
Whether Congress ought TO lend aid 10 the Collins line
depends mainly the truth OF two propositions, which
will state briefly, as follows:
iii the duty OF the government
First, TO keep up efficient steam navy for the ma.
tional defence.
Secondly, 10 provide for carrying its mails on the
sea as well on the land.
The great question s How are these objects best to be
accomplished Incidental questions may arise interest
ing individuals to companies to the navy proper, and
to commerce generally But the above propositions be
long to the subject and OF great weight and Of
trolling influence Let US examine them in order
LIST large naval establishment, .includng fleet Of
powerful steamers is essential TO the defence OF the
nation. We are always liable TO be engaged in foreign
wars Vain the efforts OF "peace societies" When
ever aations deem il for their interest, their AMBITION or
their pleasure, they will go TO war; and the only sale
way preserve peace is 10 be on the alert and prepared
for the worst. The best "peace- makers are Paixan
guns, mounted on the decks OF war-seamers. How,
then, keep them up with efficiency, at the least
expense Our navy is small, and the number OF our
war is still smaller compared to that OF Eng
land What is the most economical mode OF augment
ing our armed steam navy' Undoubtedly by liberal en-
couragemen OF enierprsing and responsible companies
and individuals 10 placing efficient warseamers the
great mail lines, 10 carry the mails and transport
passengers and merchandise with the understanding that
in OF war, they be converted TO the public SER
vice. Our naval officers and seamen would thus become
familiar with steam navigation, mails would be trans
ported under flag and we should have formida
BILE fleets OF war-steamers always in readiness and al
comparatively small expense to the government
The Collins Company have four powerful, swift, and
efficient war steamershe Arctic the Atlantic, the Bal
tic. and the Pacific. The government has in its navy
about dozen seamers-and among them the Mis-
sssppi and the Susquehanna Of the first class and the
Saanac and The ST. Jacinto OF the second class Let any
eng officer member of Congress-
innate the actual cost to the government oil keeping these
four steam rgates in commission for the last year
Stick pin there. Let him, them compare this aggregate
with the sum required from the government 10 aid 10
keeping in trim the four powerful seau,-frga OF the
Collins line, ready TO be converted into the public
service at the demand OF the President His arithmetic
would prove, automatically that the outlay for
sustaining in commission the four United States
above named would be infinitely than would be
CURED by the Collins Company for retaining within reach
OF the Executive the other four steamers OF equal power
and efficiency. and OF rapid speed. Now il these
four s,eamfrgates convertible to the public service
demand, anybody point out to any reason why
any one OF them would not be as valuable to the gov
eminent, in OF sudden war. the Mississippi or
any other frigate in mission But the outlay would
be infinitely less But this is not all II the whole ou,
lay asked by the Collins Company were bonus-a glft--
il would prove The cheapest mode OF sustaining 80 many
powerful vessels for any and all emergencies But the
even, would prove that all the money asked for by the
company would flow back into the treasury in the shape
OF POSTAGE and that this auxiliary force to the navy
would not cost the government eent-no, one red
The aid Of the government to this line for the last
year. has been less than its actual receipts for naval ser
vicesthus showing that the government has made money
by the operation.
Il may be urged that there is danger Of war Blu,
there two opinions this subject. The attitude OF
France, Russia, Austria, and England, is warlike. We
know not how may be involved in foreign wars
Men may cry peace. peace, when there is peace We
deceive ourselves IL we imagine that we can always
slumber beds OF down. We must ever be prepared
for war, IL would preserve peace. We must have an
efficient establishment OF war-steamers How can we
keep il up at The least expense The answer plain
Keep up reasonable number OF regular war ships by
sail and Add TO this sufficient number OF super
numerary warke steamers, convertible, at the option OF
the President, 10 the public service. IT. in the mean
time, the receipts into the treasury for postage sufficient
offset the outlay, much the better for the govern
mepL But in any event il will prove the cheapest way
OF enlargng naval establishment By 50 doing we
shall always be prepared with efficient navy in time
Of sudden danger. and at little or cost
al In regard to the duty Of government 10 supply the
mail service. This topic can be met in summary way
The in The shape OF postage would eject all the
aid required by this companyi and should have the