New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1854-06-01

1t would be we'll if the clustering, filibuster
inc, Are eating gentlemen who are intent upon
forcing the country into war with neighhor
for the parposc Of seizing and appropriating one
of her colonies, right or wrong, and at all
hazards, would pay some little attention to the
present condition Of our navy --that arm Of our
service which would be most material IN the
operations proposed--its organization, its yes
sells, their armaments and general efficiency
as compared with those Of even many Of the
lesser maritime powers of the world.
The Committee on Naval Affairs submitted to
the Senate, on the 18th ult., q report, in which
it is stated that. swith o commerce covering
the globe and exceeding in tonnage that ofeyery
other power, our means for protecting it are
far less than those Of the smallest maritime
State" In this condition we are to provoke
war for purposes Of conquest, or at best ior the
redress of wrongs not fully admitted or under
stood to be such, except by those who will hear
but one side of the story, and are predetermineo
that the quarrel shall rest upon that--a war
at the hazard of rupture with two nations
whose nayies are the mightiest the world ever
saw, with a completeness in their general or
ranization and minute details which appears to
approach perfection as nearly as anything human
can. The improvements in the fleets of France
and England within the last few years-their
equipments. discipline, gunnery, powers of pro
pulsion and manauyring, almost surpass be
lief; while our own navy-if it deserve the
name has advanced very little in any of these
particulars, and in some has actually gone back
ward since the war Of 1912, We say it with
modification and regret, but the fact is noto
rious that, while possessing every resource of
men, means, material and mechanical skill for
putting afoat and supporting the most perfect
andpowerful among naval ornaments, we have
not n ship-of- the line In commission, and the
worn-out, side-wheel steamship Mississippi is
looked upon as the most efficient vessel in the
service
In the mean time, there has been no lack Of
expenditure Of public moneys by the million for
naval purposes but how have these moneys
been applied? In the development Of crude,
undigested, inapplicable theories, incapable Of
any practical result, except to demonstrate the
folly Of those who devised them; upon enormous
ships like the Pennsylvania, which rotted upon
the stocks and never made cruise after being
launched upon costly and utterly useless navy
yards, docks and stations and to build up the
private fortunes Of remorseless SPECTATORS and
contractors VIII any one say that it has been
the apathy or indifference Of the people which
has brought about this deplorable, poverty
stricken condition of branch Of the public ser
vice which should be made the pride and glory
Of the country
The fault lies not there. Public sentiment
would never sanction state of things which
hazards the dearest interests Of the country and
makes us q by-word Of derision for the world
yes, a laughing stock: for is it not notorious
that we have not, at the present time, while we
are at peace with the whole world, sufficient
number Of public ships to supply the wants Of
the public service What was the Honorable
secretary's answer when applied to for a vessel
to send in search Of the missing San Francisco |
and has not portion Of the Japan squadron
never large enough--been withdrawn
The fault lies with sohemng politicians in the
halls Of Congress, with wire-pulling officials
whom the people have clothed with power and
trust, but who, instead of looking after the in,
terests Of the country, think Of and attend to
only the struggles Of party and the division Of
the spoils,