Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1853-10-05
THE NAVY.

We concur with one of tho Correspondents of the
Richmond Enquirer that the size and condition Of
our navy is not in proportion to the wants of the
country or its rank among the nations We trust
that this much-negected of the service may re-
ceve the patient attention Of the next Congress The
treasury is now full to overfowing and we can con-
ceive of object to which four five millions could
be more properly or advantageously applied. The
Enquirer's Correspondent says:
''The introduction of steam into naval affairs will
probably change the whole character of future mari
time conflicts. In this, literally behind the
age. Even Austria and Spain by no means naval
powers of rank, have more steamships of war 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 our modification, in not being able to
furnish steamer to convey Minister to China,
and in the difficulty in finding one for small
squadron, unequal in of need, for the Fishery
grounds. The mail steamships are pronounced by
naval men to be totally unfit for purposes, ex-
cept as dispatch vessels.
In declaring our policy to allow no European pow
er to meddle with the affairs of this continent the
size of our navy, by which it can alone be enforced
is not such to enttle the declaration to the
pect Of other nations. And in endeavors to keep
aloof from the entanglements of European politics,
can have, without larger naval force, surety
for success, but the good will of foreign powers. In
both cases. our weakness but invites interference,
whilst more strength would guarantee a total inter-
ruption from abroad success in policy and peace.
The duties belonging to citizens, in guarantee
ing to them their right of protection when abroad,
whether in commercial other rclatians, cannot be
performed without larger naval force And in case
of war with both either of the naval powers, our
navy and commerce would be both swept from the
oceans, and possessions on the Pacific would be
jeoparded.
The garments of a child of ten years of age lily
suit the man of full growth and so the naval power
of thirty years age is untitled to us now.
In the struggle and rivalry for the commerce of the
world it is necessary to success that every Ameri
can 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
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 an energy,
pacty and comprehensivencss fully equal to it. Much
has been done towards bettering things they wcre
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 imped the wel-being and progress of the
Navy. Differences ofopinion among its officers and
the prejudiccs 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
met seems to be particularly opportune, and many
obstacles in the way of naval improvement are ex-
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 furthering the views of Mr. Dobbin and the
country by increasing the Navy, especially in the arm
of war steamers"