The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-04-22

protective policy in one Of it's most objection
able aspects. He was Of opinion that, if the
line OF British steamers could sustain itself,
| and could do the business of the Government
and people of the United States more economi
cally than the American line, the latter ought
| to be abandoned at once. If Great Britain can
| carry passengers and letters more cheapy-and
therefore more advantageously- than the Uni
| ted States, it would, in his judgment, be better
| to withdraw the American line--of course in
Identifying the contractors-than to continue
the competition upon the principle of extending
legislative aid to commercial enterprise. He
attached little or no importance TO the idea
that national interest and national feeling were
involved in this matter, which should not be
made to differ from ordinary transactions Of a
similar nature. 1t was idle to burden the
country with the cost of keeping up this great
Atlantic yachting; the honor resulting from
victory in the race might afford momentary
qualification, but the gains bear no proportion
to the cost. For his part, he was disposed to
yield the maritime supremacy to Britain rather
than to pursue our existing system further, un-
less it can be maintained by the allowance al
ready given to the Collins line. Mr.. HUNTER
argued, further, that the proposed aid would be
unavailing, as according to the showing of the
company--even with the proposed increase Of
compensation-they would still be losers to the
extent of s., 900 or $4,000 trip.
We imagine that the sympathies of the
American people on this subject will rather be
with Mr.. GwIN than with Mr.. HUNTER. The
question of maritime ascendancy is regarded by
our citizens as of paramount interest. political
ly and commercially. 1t is not to be counted by
dollars and cents. 1t is not to be tossed aside
as speculation Of moment to none but small
company of merchants. 1t is the beginning of
a system which, with judicious fostering, may be
made the means of changing the balance of
naval power in the world, and of securing to
our country advantages hitherto monopolized
by distant rival. To abandon the Collins
steamers now, in the hour of their triumph,
would be to surrender to England the quiet en-
joyment of advantages which have long sus-
tanned her in the front rank of naval and COM
mercial powers. So far as the sea is concerned,
our country has established a clear title to share
the supremacy until now accorded to England;
and whether we shall give up the good posi-
ton resulting from arduous contest, or by
persisting in it cnnsummate our advantages, is
the real point at issue in the question now
awaiting the action Of the Senate. Our Sem
ators cannot forget the manifest interest with
which the people Of England watched the
progress of this American experiment in
ocean steam navigation--the cool contempt
elected by our earliest efforts in that di
recton-the jealous and unfriendy temper
displayed as those efforts began to look more
like successor the assiduity that is now press
ing into their service skill and appliances to
enable them once more TO run ahead of the
Arctic OF Pacific. The American people were
not more indifferent spectators; confident in the
possession Of resources, they entered the lists
with steady determination sooner or later to
come in first; and we fancy that even Mr.
HUNTER will not dispute the deep qualification
experienced throughout the Union on the &C
complishment of speedy and decisive triumph
We do no, believe that they are prepared now
to surrender the national consideration thus ac-
quired, or TO deviate from channel which pro-
misses to lead to yet further gains. In our judg-
ment they still desire the success Of the sys-
tenn, and that, too, though the mode of lnsur-
ing it may involve the recognition to some ex
tent of that principle Of protection which seems
TO lie at the bottom Of Mr.. HUNTERS objec-
tons