The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-05-06

ventor Of screw propulsion. The advantage Of
the full broadsde, of the protection Of the steam
machinery and propelling instrument from shot
Of the economy of fuel, Of the harmonious
union Of sail power and steam power--all these
points that were 50 eloquently and ably urged
by Mr.. HUNTER were urged with equal ability
and with more complete knowledge Of the sub
jectupon The British government seventeen years
ago. The British government have availed
themselves Of the information obtained from
Captain Ericsson; but in what manner? They
have converted all their old sailing ships into
propeller steamers, just as we ought to do.
The idea of sending ship Of war to sea with.
out steam power is an absurdity at the present
day. But whilst the Admiralty have to this
extent availed themselves of the propeller, they
have not lost sight of the fact that the speed at
tanned by the paddle-tcheel steamer has ,lerer
yet been attained By the scre,c-p propeller. In a
ship of war, speed is regarded as most i'm
portant element; and hence it is that while the
Admiralty have added screws to their sailing
ships, they have never undertaken to substi-
tute screw ships for paddlewheel steamers.
The latter they consider as much superior to
screw-ships as they consider screw ships supe-
rior to ships merely propelled by sail-power.
AS to the interference of ships aided by Gov
eminent with those sustained merely by pri-
vate enterprise, the answer is perfect. The
Cunard line is established The only question
is, whether we shall yield the entire advantage
of steam communication to England, or
whether we shall divide it with her. We are
to decide whether Great Britain shall monopo-
lie the carriage Of letters and passengers, at
her own rates, or whether we shall sustain an
American competition that shall share the pro-
ceeds of this important business. By driving
the Collins line from the ocean, Mr.. HUNTER
cannot destroy the Cunard steamers. They
will continue to run. They will double or ire
BILE their service, as circumstances may require.
The point to be decided is whether or not they
shall monopoR.e or diride the business.
With regard to the question of protection,
we admit that we entertain very different
views from those of Mr.. HUNTER. At all
events, we cannot persuade ourselves that it is
not right and wise to meet foreign protection
with domestic protection. If Great Britain pro-
tects, the doctrine of competition teaches US
that we must protect also-or we must be van
pushed in an unequal struggle. We are not
prepared TO say with Mr.. HUNTER that our
line ought to GO down if it cannot carry letters
and passengers at as cheap rates as the Cunard
lne We say that it ought to be maintained,
cost what it may; and we say, moreover, that
such is the sentiment and the purpose Of the
American people. They are not willing that in
this national contest the stars and stripes should
be struck to any foreign flag. They do not &C
quiesce in the idea that the patry considera
ton of few dollars more or less should be al.
lowed to arrest the proud march of American
enterprise, or disturb the possession of an adj
mitted maritime superiority which has chal
lenged the admiration Of the civilized world.