Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1853-12-17

much than two thousand miles, stretching from
the Rio Gfande to the St Croix, studded with mag
niicent cities and thriving towns. We now have a
Pacific coast extending for many hundred miles,
from the confines of Mexico to the far Northwest
tilted, separated by mountains and deserts from the
military power of the government. A empire
has; as by magic, sprung into existence San Fran
cisco promises at no distant day to become another
New York, and our prosperous trade in the Pacific
and the wonders of commerce, to bear the same re-
lation to China and Japan which that of the Atlantic
coast bears to the continent of Europe and Great
Britain. WeahaYe four millions of tonnage !;
American vessels freighted with the rich fruits of
American industry, penetrating every sea; and
thousands of our countrymen whom busy enterprise
has borne to distant lands whom misfortune has
wrecked some inhosptable shore, all look to their
country flag to protect them. Is present navy
sufficient for all these great purposes of defence and
protection? am very far from intimatng an opin-
ion that should steadily maintain naval force
large as that of some powers mentioned They have
large colonial settlements islands and continents
remote from their seat of government Their jeal-
ousies their proximity to each other their peculiar
form of government, all combine to require for their
purposes far larger naval force than need. But,
while they annually charging theirs, shall we
allow the disparity annually to become greater? The
following warning admonition this point by
Washington in his eighth annual message, enforces
this view: "To active external commerce the
protection of naval force is indispensable. This is
manifest with regard to in which State itself
is party. But, besides this it is in own expe-
cicnt guard against the dcpredatons of nations at
war. To secure respect to neutral flag requires
aa0Gl torce organized and ready to Un5cate itfron
insult and 0ggressi0n This may prevent even the
necessity of going to war, by discouraging bellige-
rent powers from committing such violations of the
rights of the neutral party may first last leave
no other option. These considerations invite the
United States to look to means and to set about the
gradual increase of q navy. VIII it not, then, be
advisable to begin without delay to provide and lay
up the materials for the building and cquippng of
shpsofwar, and to proceed in the work by degrees,
in proportion resources shall render it practi
cable without Inconvenience that future war of
Europe may not find our commerce in the same
fortunate state in which it found by the pres
ent?" take it to be fair proposition, that
navy should ut least be t2ye enough to command oar
and coast. Otherwise, it would seem to be
not only useless appcndage, but fall easy prey
to the enemy, and add to his strength And in view
of this point it may be we'll to remember the posi-
tions overlooking our homo commerce-the Bermu
das and West Indies well fortified and held by other
nations. 1t may be said that we have strong fort
fcations, and that they be relied upon for de-
fence. But our Notifications, with their conceded
importance, without navy, have been we'll COM
pared to a shield without sword. Perhaps it may |
be alleged that our navy was comparatively small |
III the war of 1912, when our gallant officers achieV
cd brilliant victories, won for themselves impcrisha-
bic renown and broke the charm of the enelnys
val nvincbihty. Those were, indeed, great achieve
ments. And still have proud spirits in the navy |
whom opportunity would call forth, and who would |
again accomplish all that valor and patriotism could
accomplish. But, without charging upon the cir |
which helped to occasion success then, |
or dwelling upon the disasters that then befel our
when we call to mind the formidable, |
growing, and, in number at least, the overwhelming
strength of the navieS of the many great nations
with whom we claim equal rank, may it not be well
to consider that it may be possible to tax too
severely the valor and skill of small navy, how
ever gallant? As, however have enjoyed sea-
of profound peace with the exception of the
with nation without navy it is perhaps not to be
regretted that we have deferred charging thus
long, as we can now advantagcously avail ourselves
Of the vast improvements suggested by the tests of
experience and the inventive genius of the architects
Of our own and other countries.
Steam is unqucstionably the great agent to be
Used on the ocean, as well for purposes of war of
The improved system of screw propell-
rs instead of side Wheels is one of the grand desid
rata to render the of steam effective in naval
warfare, the one being exposed to the shot of the
ncmy, the other submerged and compar ativelyssc-
ure. When the bayonet was added to the muSket, :
he invention applauded for placing in the hands
the soldier, at time, two engines of destruction;
nd the introduction of the propeller has been
imarly appreciated, combining without confusion
wo elements of progress sail and the steam-en-
inc. Side-wheel steamers much impaired in their
apacity for sailing, and consume too much coal for
istant cruises. Those now on hand can be made !
, answer we'll for short cruises and as despatch
els. The screw propeller being upon principle t
OF so much interfering with the sailing capacity
18th the improved models of the present day, can be
constructed as to sail as well as the best clipper
hips and reserve the use of steam for emergencies
hen greatest speed is required, when, in a calm
desirable position can be the promptly and !!
1rcly taken. The great necessary expense incident il
the expedition to Japan could have been material
z, indeed one-half curtaed, had it been in the pow
of the department to have supplied the SO Radron t
18th screw propelers, instead of the side-wheel h
Gamers costing so much from the consunp- $
on of coal.
I recommend therefore, that the depa rtment be 4
thorzed have constructed at least six first class
cam frgate propellers. The opinion is entertained f
lat that number may be built in several yards
addition to the work going on and the re- p
airs usually needed on the return of vessels from n
ng cruises 1t is estimated that they will cost be-
veen four and five millions of dollars, and be
uilt in about twenty months. With the exception a
some deficiency in the supply of white-oak and i
elbow pine which can be without much difficulty o
rocured we have on hand at the various yards am
e material to accomplish what is recommended. 1t a
i'll be perceived, referring to the estimates of the
ureau of Construction, &c. that estimate is a
ade of the entire cost-of the cost without purcha-
ng any material, and of the probable amount which t
oud be expended during the fiscal year without
ard to great despatch This done in order that
lie subject might be understood properly, and that
lch action might be taken appeared wsest. As Il
is deemed desirable to make this addition to our
lval forces as early practicable, in consideration
the number of vessels which will soon be unfit il
service and worth repairing, and it is mpor-
mt to retain on hand for emergency reasonable Il
pply of building material, venture to suggest the
,licy of making the appropriation at early day.
L. IL i L L AZ