The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-01-26

tremitics 10 which the British admiralty are will.
ing to resort IN order TO secure again their former
exclusive control of Transatlantic yigation.
II Is to bo regretted that the American people
have not felt the essity of sustaining the lines
In which they all feel 80 much pride, by sub
stantial patronage Full one half Of American
travellers to Europe the ocean in the Cunard
steamships while the Collins line have carried
hardly more than half u dozen Englishmen from
their hrst start This is reproach to our country
men, winch we trust the spirit Of nationality"
hear so much oI now a-days, will ultimately do
away. Bat Government which is tho immediate
party benefited should set the example of mani.
testing in this matter some such spirit. The line
il, in fact far as all substantial advantages are
concerned, rn integral portion of the American
navy, and portion. too. that il vastly more useful
in peace, and will be vastly more efficient in war
than any other. It's four steamers are the largest
swiftest and strongest in the world and by express
contract are liable ut any time TO be detailed for the
cubic service. In mcs of peace they can carry our
dispatches, and In times OF war our soldiers and
ammunition, with n rapdity no other vessels can
equal Their matchess model, too, is at the ex-
elusive service Of our Navy Department in all its
future naval constructions. In naval combat the
superior ease and efficiency with which they could
ue manCeuvred, by virtue of their superior speed,
would make them almost irresstible-ior in this
age, when naval and military tactics arc reduced
to such scientific perfection, it ia far more than
ever me superiority in the materia Of war that in
soreS the victory. TINS unequalled portion Of our
navy entails no expense upon the Government for
either its original construction or its repairs
Yearly all OF the six millions annually approprat-
cd from the public treasury to the regular navy s
swallowed up in these last items The shin of. the
line North Carolina cost $43l 1852, and within ten
years received repairs involving expenditure of
$3l7 CPS The ship Delaware cost 4 543 1868. and
in fourteen years the cost of her repairs amounted
to $4537o3. Tho ship Pennsylvania originally
cost $6S7 500, and, though never on sea service,
her repairs ten years ago amounted to $346, 900.
The repairs OF the Ohio in three years cost S4SG,
$40, though she never had been on sea service
The repairs Of tho Vermont have cost S2l3 O53 of
the Alabama, S26S736; of the New York, S2f9-
1875; OF the Virginia, $lS4,34l; and yet most
most OF these ships never have been, and.
on account OF the dry rot, never will GO TO sea.
The attempts which Government has made 10
struct steam-vessels OF war on its own account
have met with but very poor success and of the
lew which have been constructed, we now, since
the return Of the Mississippi for repairs have but
single one OF the first class in actual commission,
and but three Of less than the first class Private
enterprise has proved itself immeasurnbly moro
efficient in the successful construction of war
steamships than Government with oil its labor
and OUTLAWS; and experience has completely
demonstrated that the ships employed in tho
regular mail packet service are the cheapest and
vet the strongest stay OF the American navy
Their total number is thirty one running on Ave
diherent INES, with an aggregate tonnage of
42O97 seven Of them are propeers, of 1925 tons.
III the limited encouragement afforded by Congress
within the last four years has effected this, what
may not more adequate aid hereafter accomplish?
1t behoovcs Congress to examine this subject with
the most earnest attention. Our mercantile ma
rlne has now reached three millions of tons of ship
ping, and exceeds that Of any other nation This
vast increase requires corresponding increase in
Its means OF protection. The maritime supremacy
OF the world Is soon ours, if will struggle for it,
England ID bracing every muscle and straining
every sinew to keep her pristine precedence, and
we must not falter in the glorious strife 1t will be
a burning, insufferable disgrace, to give way at
the moment OF victory.