The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-11-04

steam marine. gives Ter preponuerance OF
strength on the ocean, that while it sets at de-
fance the wooden walls of the nations of Eu-
rope, extends and protects her commerce where
ever her meteor lagn is borne, and has COM
PEELED cabinet after cabinet, even in this
country, to tamely submit to such indignities
from time to time have thought proper to offer
to our star-spangled banner.
What is our navy? 1t consists Of eleven
ships Of the line, one razee, twelve first class
frgates, two second class, twenty-one sloops OF
war, four briggs, three schooners, nine steamers
and some storeships OF this formidable array
the Mississippi is so badly armed, and her guns
so light. that an English war steamer with only
one large gum could destroy her before her fire
could take the slightest effect What is this
force, even as a nucleus, to contend against the
fleets OF Great Britain or France? We are not
of those who believe that there is any necessity
for great standing feet for the United States.
though, from the circumstances Of the country,
larger fleet than army is required to
maintain our own dignity and comm and the
respect Of other nations. But what we contend
Of the very first quality, in vessels, guns, cap
tains. and seamen; and that it ought, forthwith
TO be enlarged from its present low condition
in numerical strength, to something like a
decent footing, and to an extent 10 some de-
gree commensurate with the progress of The
| country and the requirements Of its commerce.
For example, there has not been for years in
n n ftc 81, .rlo oft MI fba
United States flag, though that is a sea to
which our commercial enterprise sends so large
proportion of our shipping. Then look at the
miserable sailing qualities Of the ships and
war steamers Of cur navy Notwithstanding
the improvements Of the age in naval con-
struction, the feet Tor rather the apology
for q feet, which we possess), stands
just where it did forty years ago. Our war
steamers are the worst OF all. Ia the
present state of things, two or three British
steamers, with guns Of long range, could sink
every ship and steamer in possession of the gov
eminent. Yet this country has resources,
which, if properly welded, could soon turn the
tables against the combined fleets Of the world.
Our steam tonnage, including the river naviga-
ton, doubles that of Great Britain and exceeds
that of all nations put together. Here, then,
we have scientific, practical and mechanical
skill sufficient to raise asteam feet that would
outnumber. outrun, and defeat all others. But
before this could be accomplished the amount
Of disasters that might be sustained in encoun-
tiers by our navy and merchant marine would
be terrible, to say nothing Of the exposure OF
our badly fortified ports. The vast extent of
our seaboard demands protection far beyond
what q navy four times as large as our present
one could afford.
Then look at the list Of our old fogy captains
in tie navy, promoted not by merit, but senior
ity-men unfit to take command, as was made
evident in the case of the frigate Congress on
the Brazilian station, the Cumberland in the
Mediterranean, the Raritan in the Pacific the
Susquehanna in the East Indies, and also the
Saranac-fUr none of which captains could be
found The low wages paid to seamen--being
less by one-third than they can procure in mer-
chant vessels--together with the barharous sys-
tenn of hogging that prevailed till lately, have
driven or kept away almost every good man
from The service, and left the dregs behind. In
short, the face Of things in the navy is changed
since the days Of Bainbridge, Lawrence and
Decatur; and had we suddenly q repetition of
the war of 1872, we should have very different
tale to tell. The best way to curb the insolence
and encroachments which might lead to that
result, is to be prepared for it. The only means
by which aggression can be prevented. is the
possession Of the strength to repel it. The true
way to maintain peace is to be prepared for
war. This was the maxim of the old Roman
IN Pace ostendie .ferrum- and it is as true at
the present day as it was two thousand years
ago.
Our power ought therefore. to be felt in our
navy, not so much in the number Of its ships as
in their superiority, and the consciousness Of
the strength that is at its back. But the spells
Cabinet, entertaining a horror Of the locomotive
the type Of the age, prefer the old stage, and
even that they are disposed to back into the !
ditch, rather than be accused of making pro-
gress. By suicidal course Of policy they are
preparing to destroy the means OF meeting any |
sudden onslaught that mi ht be made upon that |
flag which for threescore years and ten has
braved the battle and the breeze Is the spirit |
Of George Washington, Patrick Henry, and An
drew Jackson extinct? And is the only patriot
ism now TO he found in our public men, rage
ior public plumber and desire to aggrandize
themselves at the expense Of the honor, the well
fare, and the safety Of the glorious land that
gave them birth?
TIE ASSESSMENTS AT THE Custom House.
We published in Tuesdays HERALD scale Of
the tariff on the salaries OF the officers at the
Custom House, which moneywas paid by them
on Monday, to the agents Of the Van Burenites
for the purpose Of controlling the coming cleo
ton The conduct Of these men in submitting
to such tax upon their "wages for service or
labor performed" is despicable enough in an
ordinary point Of view: but it becomes doubly
detestable when we ascertain that by this pay