Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1853-10-01
THE NAVY.

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We concur with one of the Correspondents of the
Richmond Enquirer that the size and condition 81
our navy is not in proportion to the wants of the
country or its rank among the nations We trust
that this mach-neglected of the service may re-
ceye the patient attention of the next Congress The
treasury is full to OVERLOOKING and we can con-
ceiye of no object to which four or five millions could
be gmore properly or adyantageously applied. The
Enqurer's Correspondent says:
"tThe introduction of steam into nava! affairs will
probably change the whole character of future mari
time conflicts In this, are literally behind the
age Even Austria and Spain, by no means naval
powers of rank have more steamships of than
we and at least half of the half dozen of those we
have are unfit for service This fact has lately been
revealed, to notification, IN not being able to
furnish a steamer to convey our Minister to China
and in the difficulty in finding one for our small
squadron, unequal in of need, for the Fishery
grounds The mail steamships are pronounced by
naval men to be totally unfit for war purposes,
cept as dispatch vessels.
In declaring our policy to allow no European pow
to NEEDLE with the affairs of this continent, the
size of our navy by which it can alone be enforced
is not such to entitle the declaration to the
pect of other nations. And in endeavors to keep
aloof from the entangements of European politics,
we can have, without larger naval force, no surety
for success but the good will of foreign powers In
both cases, our weakness but invites interference,
whilst more strength would guarantee total inter
ruption from abroad success in our policy and peace
The duties belonging to citizens, in guarantee
ing to them their right of protection when abroad,
whether in commercial other reatians, cannot be
performed without larger naval force And in case
OF war with both or either of the naval powers,
navy and commerce would be both swept from the
oceans, and our possessions on the Pacific would be
jeoparded.
The garments of child of ten years of age lily
suit the of full growth and so the naval power
of thirty years age is untitled to US we are
In the struggle and rivalry for the commerce of the
world it is necessary to that every Ameri-
citizen should not only be assured in words but
feel in fact the protection of his country and that
other nations should realize it too.
In view of these things am happy to inform you
that the Secretary of the Navy will recommend to
Congress earnestly an increase of the Navy. Mr..
Dobbin is thoroughly impressed with the condition
of the Navy and its relations, and has brought to
bear to the task of its improvement energy, ca
pacity and comprehensvenessf fully equal to it. Much
has been done towards lettering things they were
but without the cooperation of Congress- from which
the country demands action in these matters, nothing
of magnitude can be accomplished Many difficult
ties have mped the well-being and progress of the
Navy. Differences ofopnion among its officers and
the preudices of those not well informed and not of
very broad views, have done it no good; but these
things can be overcome. The selection of Mr.. Dob
bin by the President for the second post in his Cab
net seems to be particularly opportune, and many
obstacles in the way of naval improvement are
pected to be removed and much is anticipated to be
done from what has been already accomplished 1t
is to be hoped that Congress will be prompt and lib
eral in furtherng the views of Mr. Dobbin and the
country by increasing the Navy, especially in the
of war steamers"