The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-02-05
Steamships.

The New York journal Of Commerce, al.
though opposed to the policy of rendering
Government aid To steamships and other nm
dertakings Of that character, argues in favor
Of rendering the COLLINS line an exceptional
case, on the ground that it has achieved ma
tional triumphs, and cannot be abandoned with
out injury 10 our national pride and character.
We quote as follows:
1.-The national pride has been excited, and the
national character elevated throughout the world,
by recent achievements in navigation Our
clippers running between CHM and England, and
between other ports; our yacht. which lately dis
tsnced all competitors in British waters and our
steamer. between Liverpool and New York, have
shown, in the highest degree, the skill, enterprise
courage and power of our countrymcn. Every
American heart rejoicsd the result of the sue.
ccssive conflicts with the subjects of a mighty ma.
ton, acting under the encouragement of public
authority. and with tho stimulus Of public rewards
and honors Each achievement seemed necessary
to the completeness Of the victory awarded TO
America. Asa whole, they have strengthened the
nation and been equal in tboir influence TO those
gallant victories which constitute our pride and
boast, obtained on the ocean in less peaceful
manner. Sir said the chief officer of our army
10 Mr. Collins. you have been fighting great M
vai battle, and yos have gained the victory II
would lower the pride and affect the rcputs ton
OF the country TO withdraw those great steamers
from the ocean. II would be prciudicial 10 our
trsdc 70 have the Government assume The v~sseIs
and continue the business; IL would be departure
from principle and from eypediency not TO be
thought OF for moment. The policy commenced
should be continued, and under a system adequate
to the end, until individual enterprise shall be able
TO do alone what is now being done with govern
mental aid The precise mode and manner OF
doing this it lie not casy to determine. The ma
ton receives in the shape OF postage and duties
more than il pays for this object II is an i'm
mcnsc gamer in its collateral benefits These ar c
no, to be estimated in a moucysd valuation. II
the entire postagss received from tho steamer,
we're applied to their use, the sum would prob,bly
be sufficient to continue them on . proper foot
ing Allowing them 10 be retained for tho u.e Of
the vessels, vouldnot be direct appropriation for
their benefit. but the aid would be equally effective
We trust that some proper provision will be made,
having reference TO the policy which Mr.. Calhoun
enforced, and to the interests Of competing vessels
which receive no Government aid aud be limited
to the nccesstio. of the present line
owe foel entirely satisfied that n failure of this
great line to maintain its present superiority would
nortify the national feeling to degree which
would induce every constituency Of represents
tivos at Washington to regret deeply the failure
Of members to give it proper support. Ona recent
occasion when " was feared that the Atlantic had
met with some fatal accident, the sympathy Of the
whole country vas excited to q high degree by
what WINS considered a national misfortune The
feeling wss deep and general, more 90, psrbap..
than II one Of our war ships had been in the same
condition. The interest felt was due chiefly 10
the fact that the Atlantic our favoritc compel
ior with the British line; that the composition bad