The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1853-12-22
THE DAILY DISPATCH.
THURsDNY MORNING, DECEMRrR p itss.
IIiE NAVY.
HE NAV L.
Thu raport of the Naval Committee of tie


The report of the Naval Committee of til
House OF Representatives, appropristin
three millions for the purpose of constructing
six steamers, must be highly gratifying to ev
ery friend of the service, and indeed, to ever.
Intelligent American citizen Atpresent, viii
u commerce abens equal to that OF Great bri
tain, our naval force is not as great ~ that y
the third rate European powers. There Is
vague idea prevalent that, in case Of wal
we should have Navy. born in day. iuiiy
equal to all the emergencies Of the occasion
Where il is TO come from, and how ii is 10 DC
prepared, is not explained. Suppose we
should be suddenly involved IN war win
Crest Britainl She could pay her respects
TO us with about five hundred ships of war,
and mare steamships than we have vessels OF
all kinds in our service. NOW allowing 'he
correctness of the common estimate that one
American vessel is equal TO two vessels Of
any other nation of the same force, we
shnuId even then be in s bad way, for we
have only about 20 or so ships of all kinds in
our Navy. 1t is no dcrogatiou 10 American
proves. however, 70 remark, that it's asking
too much of American sailors TO whip double
their force of British scamen. Both nations
are equally at home upon the deep, both are
brave aud skilful. and neither would like to
fight against very heavy odds On the other
side And what would become of our com
mcrce in the event Of such a war? 1t would
be swept from every sea, and the nation would
lose more in this way in six months, than it
sion an adequate naval force for q century
True economy dictates the most liberal naval
appropriations, for It's only by such course
that the vast interests embarked in our COM
merce can be secured from injury and per
haps destruction, and there is no surer means
of averting war than by being prepared for
it.
The evils whish are often apprehended from
a large standing army, need not be feared
from large Navy. Ships-ofwar cannot be
used like armies to increase the security of
our government or prove an instrument in
the hands of ambitious cheft&ins to subjugate
our own people, Their power can only be
used for the safety and glory of the nation.
We 90 not need a large standing army. We
have no enemyupon our own continent whom
we need fear, and foreign foes cannot trans
port troops in sufficient numbers to give us
much cause of uneasiness. Or, if they can,
our most efficient mode of resistance will be
upon the deep, and for this purpose we ought
10 have a large Navy It is evident that we
shall never be engaged in any war of much
magnitude except with European powers
1t is more than probable that with them we
shall sooner or later be brought in collision.
The growing influence and power of our Re
public make US every day an object of great
er dread and aversion to the monarchies and
missionaries of Europe. Even England, the
most liberal government of the whole world,
has commercial rival in the United States
upon whom she could not look with much
complacency even if the past history of the
two nations presented no incentive to diStrust
and Jealousy. The most effectual way to Grip
pie our rising power would be to destroy our
commerce, and in the event of a war, it would
be aRnihilated unless our naval force should
be greatly increased. These considerations
loudly call for prompt and liberal action on
the part of Congress in behalf Of the favorite
and most important arm Of Cur National Ser
vice.
Even aspiring politicians can aid such q
cause without fear of its effects upon their
personal interests. There is no danger that
our Navy can be in the way Of aspirants tc
public station. No disposition has ever beer
manifested by the nation to reward successful
commanders with the Executive Office, nor By
naval heroes to aspire to civil station
Jack has always preferredhis epaulettes TO the
imperial purple, and his mode of life totally
units him fer any other distinction or prefer
ment but that which is gained OF salt water