Daily American telegraph., 1852-02-24

common, we think, with every reader, should
regret to see that superiority relinquished, even
though its maintenance should demand enlarg-
ed appropriations from the national treasury
So also the New York and Havre line links US
so intimately with the commerce of France
and the high position Of the United States as
maritime power, that we should deeply re-
gret if the unproftableness of the undertaking
should demand it's abandonment We shoulC
much rather that it should receive, for time
at least, the substantial aid of the United States
Government
Wo cannot join in the strong condemnation
that is expressed in the memorial, from the
owners of this line, respecting the efforts of the
Cunard company to retain the Havre trade
The freightage from Havre is open to competi
ton, and though perhaps the kind of rivalry
in which the Cunard steamers have indulged
is not Of the most honorable or elevated char
acter, yet it must be remembered that the trade
contended for is as vital to that line of steamers
as to our own and in the spirit Of commerce,
in the struggle for existence, the English steam
ship company would naturally employ every
means for retaining the trade which experience
could suggest or capital supply. Similar ex-
pedients are habitually resorted to by retail
and wholesale traders, by all classes Of mer
chants, for the accomplishment of a similar
result-the driving of a competitor from the
field. 1t is in fact a difficulty that experienced
traders would readily foresee. Still, such op-
position may be carried beyond honorable COM
petition, and if this be done under the shelter
of governmental aid, then it becomes a ques-
ton whether, in the infancy of our steam ma
rine, equal support should not be given to our
own steamers in their spirited efforts to secure
that trade for the United States, notwthstand-
ing the preoccupancy of the field by the British
steamers ...... ......~-
There are some other points which Congress
ought well to consider before it takes final ac-
ton upon these memorials Several applica-
tions for the establishment of steamers upon
other routes will be made during the present
session of the National Legislature. Some OF
these-as the line to the coast of Africa for in
stance-ought to be favorably entertained The
support, in measure, of these various enter
prises will involve heavy annual outlay for
perhaps some years to come; and other consid
erations, showing the vast Importance and the
somewhat difficult aspects of the subject, might
be named; but we must pass them over with
but one allusion. We should like the United
States to meet the liberality of Mr.. Henry
Grinnell in similar spirit, by sending out Il
steam propeller, as heretofore suggested in our
columns, to aid in the last search for Sir John
Franklin. Yet notwithstanding these pros
pective drains upon the treasury, we sincere
iy hope the two memorials will be literally en-
tertained We repeat that, to a certain extent
the question is national one. We have gain
ed vantage ground which the people of thi
Union will not like to see relinquished. The,
would rather pay than retire from the contest
and allow victory to be followed by defeat. II
the best of our knowledge, this is genera
feeling; and it is natural and commendabl
one in view of the resources of the country ant
the end to be accomplished.
New York Spectator.