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


OF losses OF any individual or company mat make II 90
few hundred thousand dollars or even millions, toths
great county, OF the making wreck OF fortunes by
ndyiduals are insignificant considerations in dee
ding the question before We deem 10 say
much oil the matter in this respect; Tor no state man,
none bat men OF the most limited capacity, "hose minus
are unable TO grasp great subjects, will care whether the
receipts will meet exactly The expenditure or MI Col
lins gains OF loses BY the enterprise.
To persons OF enlarged views and pairio'ic heaS the
question presents itself in national and constitutional
point OF view. There those occupying the hYh po-
son oil legislators. who assume miserable ana ms,
taken economy in matters OF great national character,
they were appopnalng few dollars To lne repair
OF court house in country town. Let us not limit our
views much for true economy consists In Inc success
OF great enterprises. Let reach this subject both IN
its national aud in it's constitutional character But for
the satisfaction OF those who look at The matter only ar
TO the immediate calculation OF dollars and cents, can
state that the United States government has received
more actual by the establishment OF the Collins
lion afforded table exhibiting this fact has been pub
shed in the New York Journal OF Commerce. and copied
in this and other papers. Those who want TO be in
formed upon the subject can obtain the information very
readily but for ourselves prefer TO examine II upon
other grounds.
II is not an VACANT assertion to say that no cir
cusance in the history OF country has so much m
creased nalioaa Importance, excited the admiration
Of the world, alarmed our commercial rival-Grea
Br,ain--as these magnificent and Incompatible steam
ships The English journals avowed that the supremacy
of the no longer to be contested by ne-of
battle ships or naval squadrons bui by Cunard and Col
Inns The genius OF commerce bears the trident and
she sits the prows OF the Baltic, the Pacific, the AT
anc the Arctic, and the Antarctic bearing his emblem
of sovereignty the swiites and nobesl vessels that
ceaved the waves. The people in the int
OF the country in the far west may not appreciate
this contest do those in our commercial cities in the
Atlantic States. but what American breast will not swell
with pride at victory which England-the heretofore
proud mistress OF the seas-regards as determining the
question Of maritime superiortyi What American,
though he may the in his life, nor feel
any direct interest in commercial pursuits, but will say
from the bottom of his heart let the government do all
that il can to foster an enterprise that has identified itself
alyy thu nd Inn
ness We have not valued this contest, this victory,
enough Hear what Mr. Cunard said before committee
OF the House Of Commons in England in July. lS49,
when he sought TO extend his contract with the govern
ment in order to be able to meet the expected compet-
ton
was most anxious have 1.-THE extension of the
done, because knew the consequences OF having
rival lines Of packets running against and that
would affect the government than it would affect
could increase the nuaber OF passengers but the
number of letters wonld be considerably increased
doubled because If one writes, the whole must WRITE
He says ait would affect the government more than
would u.s." Mark that declaration Il would affect the
government in its revenues 1t would affect IN Its mari
time characters it would lose the prestige of superiority
and therefore lose its trade. Mr. Cunard right has
been proved The British government, knowing that The
welfare OF the naon-all its great nteres-agrcuural,
manufacturing, and Commercial--would be affected as
appropriated large sum OF money TO defeat the Ameri
England appoprates nearly four million dollars
annually to ocean-mall steam lines, and we have no
doubt would appropriate double that amount if it could
have the effect OF maintaining maritime superiority.
Were take up the newspapers of Great Britain 10
notice the speeches Parliament and the action OF the
British government in reference to steam communication,
and especially reference to the Atlantic steam line,
with which we have successfully competed should
then learn with what degree of importance this matter is
regarded the other side Of the Atlantic. And shall
be wise enough TO avail ourselves Of the advan
tages we enjoy '-of the triumph we have gained Shall
suffer defeat by nactlon, and lose the prize when
have won II! II is hardly possible 10 imagine SO much
folly.
But il is said ours is limited government limited BY
IL no
stltuton, aid these private companies. We, too, would
have that sacred instrument, the constitution preserved
above every other consideration. We belong TO tina,
school of democrats who adhere the
of the constitution and who oppose all doubtful appca
81 i but does the appropriation Of money to vessels
the express purpose oil being used as war vessels, if
needed, violate the strict terms OF the constitution Nor
does matter whether the money is paid in advance
after the service performed We may advance money
where we have guarantee that the service will be per
formed, Just have suspended for time the col
lection OF duties on railway iron in certain 10 ac-
ate great public works. The government pay for
the mail service, and is not bound to take the lowest
terms offered because the public interest requires expedi
ton Collinss steamers the best for the mail service
They do II more expediously than any Others and by
reason OF that, they increase the public revenue, and
there is constitutional reason why the government
should pay them literally and thus foster an enter
prise whice has made the first maritime power OF the
world. We would not violate the constitution TO make
our country mistress OF the 10 eclipse Great Britain
in that in which she places her glory, and yet in
our American heart we would go far to accomplish
so glorious a result But we have attained the
premacy and maintain it for ever, without viola
ting that sacred instrument We aid the Collins line with
the sanction OF the constitution The question is
very simple. Unless Congress makes additional APP
preparation, this splendid line OF steamers which has
achieved such triumph must be given up and will pass
probably into the hands OF foreigners There
stuional objection TO prevent Congress granting what
is needed The interest OF the public mail service and
may be the naval service, the commercial and other in
eress of the country and the honor and glory OF the
ton, require this appropriation TO be made We cannot
conclude without quoting from "Chamberss Papers for
the People" the compliment pad to America and their
anicipalions Of the effect OF American steam navi-
CATION
"Tbere be little doubt that distant day the Pa
chc will be efcctualy brdged the Atlantic
Already the Americans San Francisco like the Span
tsrds of old at Dsren gazing wisuy the
TO China and the East and nursing great projects which
they will allow idle dreams. A bill is
Janusry, 1851 before Congress, having object
establishment OF line OF mailstea between San
Francisco and Macao, calling the Sandwich Islands,
Hang Hse Annoy, and Hong Kong. In all probability this
measure viii be carried with that dauntess energy
which charactezes the American people. The circle will
then be complete ...f#
/ The New Weird viii launch forth the odr
and the Young civz of the West viii inase its vgor
aud energy into the old civilization Of the East, with
suits that viii be felt and 10 the latest period OF the
history of mankind