The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-04-18
England and the United State -Conpctition
ON the Ocean.

literary men, occasionally pay to the people and GO
yernment Of the United States, in relation to their
enterprise and material energies there still exists in
the British bosom, Of all classes more active and
deeper spirit of competition with this country, than
if the two countries in the midst of a DESC
lating, bloody, and tremendous war, by sea and
land Fortunately however, we live in an age Of
rational Christianity, sober sense, commercial enter
prise and regulated ambition among the nations
Instead of war OF blood and carnage, in the pre-
sent days of peace and prosperity, engaged
with England in for supremacy, both on
and land--a contest for the first place among the
nations of the earth
Naval supremacy is the great prize Of nations, in
modern times. For nearly a century the British
government and British people have monopolizcd
that supremacy in both words, and on every ocean.
Within the last twenty years, youthful, energetic,
active enterprising untiring competitor has sprung
up on this side of the Atlantic-thc descendants of
the very country which has been the naval monopo
zer in the Old Werd for the last century. But is
only during the last very fewyears that this compe-
ttion for naval supremacy has developed itself in
shape, and with intensity, that distances all other
rivalries in former times, or in other ages We alude
to the contest for naval supremacy, now going on be-
tween the United States and England, in steamships
and steam lines-and particularly The rivalry be-
tween the Collins and the Cunard lines. England
made the first start in this and wonderful deve-
lopement of naval power, with the application of
the gigantic power of steam to locomoton on the
ocean She has had clear start, and no rivalry, for
many years, till the New York line, projected by
Mr. Collins, came sudden morning into the field,
full grown energetic, and determined to outstrp all
competitors.
The last two or three years have exhibited a con.
test on the Atlantic, unparalleled in past history
in the present time. Yet, with all the native energy
of American talent, and American money, and
American enterprise, the battle is yet to be fought
in those steam lines between England and the
United States. The question is yet to be decided
During the last two years every effort has been
made, every expenditure cheerfuly met, and every
manouvre adopted by the British authorities on
both sides of the Atlantic, to facilitate the progress
and success of their own lines, and to throw obsa-
Giles in the way of the American steamers, in this
struggle for competition between the two countries.
Some of those plans, resorted to under the patron
age Of the British government the other side to
monopolize for the British lines both mails and
freight to the exclusion of the American line, are
cessful character. We have not time 10 particular
iZe, to enter into minute statements. The general
description must do; and that is, that every effort
is made by the British government to facilitate and
secure the final triumph of their steam lines
across the Atlantic, either to New York or to the
West Indies, and to throw obstacles in the way Of
their competitor, by Withholding patronage of all
kinds from the American lines and from the Ame
rican steamers that have entered into the breach,
and succeeded wonderfully during the last few
years in traversing the Atlantic.
Such, therefore, is the position of the great con-
test between the two countries for naval supremacy,
in the present day and for the future age. The
British government, the British merchants, the
British people, the British importers arc all active,
| intelligent, energetic, anxious to aid assist and
| concentrate every effort the British lines.
| The American government, the American mer-
chants the American interests duh, heavy, d.
vided, cllous, listless, looking at the contest
| without any interest or anxiety, and almost re-
| gardess Of the mighty consequences that are pend
| ing on its issue. But of all apathetic bodies, the
| Congress at Washington is the greatest and most
lamentabe. In this interesting position of the
contest of naval skill between Britain and America
they agitated day after day in scrambes for the
| spells at Washipgton-quarrelling about candidate.
for the their time in ridiculous
debates or absurd distractions We are sorry to see
that too many of the honorable members Of both
houses utterly unaware, at least negligent Of
| the value Of that mighty contest between British
and American steamboat lines, the Issue Of which
| is now trembling in the balance, day by day. week
| by week, and month by month, as their ships ira
| verse the Atlantic ocean If by any negligence on
the part Of the American government, the American
people, or American interests, the American
line shall have to succumb to the British in thi.
great contest, may bid farewell to the sscendsncy
| of American interests on the ocean6eld of CONNER
ca enterprise, for the next century Let our honor
able members of Congress, now at Washington, only
suspend their interminable paltry qusrrels about
patronage Presidents for day, and look at this
great and important subject in the face, and do
their duty as they are expected to do it by the
| whole country, by the genius of our republic,
and by the friends Of its future growth and prospe-
rity. Up, gentlemen, and to the breach
| Theatrical and Musical Items.
Julia Bennett after nearly years absence, Is about
to return to New York In her tour through the South
" - l,. 49,.