The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-01-30
RICHMOND Vas
AUSTRIA.


graphic correspondence yesterday morning
that an American had been arrested at Vienna
for speaking unexpectedly of Louis Napo.
leon, and that he stood a fair chance of being
shot for the offence. Now we can hardly be.
lieve that the Austrian Government, beso,ted
as it is, as it has always been, and as it will be
for centuries to come, unless the people Of
Austria should become animated by miracle
with rather more spirit than they have ever
heretofore manifested, would be guilty of an
act so atrocious as this, in full view of all the
consequences. We doubt not in the least, thai
il has the will, and we know full well that it il
never restrained in the commission of a
criminal act by any other motive than fear. II
then, it shall have so far forgotten itself and US
as TO have perpetrated this deed, we trust that
vengeance, speedy, summary, and exemplary,
may be taken for it, and we have not the least
doubt that it will. This Government should
not allow an American sparrow to fall to the
ground, in any part of the world, without ex-
acting an account of the matter.
While upon this subject, we cannot forbear
expressing cur hope that squadron, becoming
our Importance as first rate power, may be
sent TO the Mediterranean and kept there
1t has appeared TO us. that our force in
that sea, has at all times been inadequate. 1t
is there, above oil other quarters of the world,
that we ought to show ourselves in our full
strength. At this particular time, when the
whole European world seems to be in most
unsettled condition, it is especially necessary
that our Naval greatness should be properly
represented there. No man can tell, upon one
day, what the next may bring forth, and in this
condition of uncertainty, it is beyond question,
the part of wisdom, TO be always prepared for
the worst. We have many ships, of gigantic
size, and admirable oportions-chefG eurres,
of naval architecture, which lie rotting in our
harbors, and for which no better service could
be imagined. The Pennsylvania, the largest
ship in the world. which cos; in the construc-
ton 100000, and in repairing which half that
sum has been expended. has never been to sea,
save in the short voyage from Philadelphia to
Norfolk. The North Carolina, which his made
but one voyage, which carries nearly 100 guns,
which cost in the construction $400, 900, and
has since cost $4,000 in repairs, lies now at
New York, receiving ship. The noble Della
ware, built at q cost Of $4,000, and repaired
al various times, at an expense nearly as great,
now lies, we believe, in ordinary some where.
The Ohio, sister ship to the Delaware and
North Carolina, launched nearly thirty years
ago, has never been to sea at all. Why is this
SO? What were these ships built for? Was
it to lie in port and to rot? What did Con-
gress shortly after the war, mean by passing a
law and making the necessary appropriations,
for building fourteen ships of the line and as
many frigates, if they are never to be used? The
English ships Of war whiten every sea with
their canvass. Indeed, England has ahuat,
more ships of war than all other nations.-
Will any man say that this does not keep up
her importance abroad, or inspire foreign ma
tons with q proper respect for her power? Our
commerce is already nearly as great as hers !;
in few years, it will be vastly greater. Why
should there be such an inconceiyable diffe-
renee in the number of vessels engaged in pro-
tecting it?
The only way to make Austria (and other
powers, but more particularly Austria, respect
us, is to keep powerful naval armament in
the Mediterranean, ready to sweep the little
commerce she carries on in those waters from
the sea, upon the first offence. As for hoping
any thing from her policy, that is vain. She is
precisely now, what she was when the late
Emperor, at the Congress of Laybach, told a
deputaton from University which waited on
him, that he wanted ohedient subjects, and not
learned men in his dominions. She is the most
odious, and most contemplate despoiism in the
world.