Washington sentinel., 1854-04-06

miles 10 our coast requiring defence The increase
of our trade viii appear from the following tables:
In 1874 In 1858.
Exports. los435,035 Exports 80 1872 $50
Tonnage ..,....' 22sOOs5 Tonnage 4,4oi.0lO
So il appears that we have coast two thou
sand miles longer now than in 1914 that our inn
ports and exports have increased since then more
than one hundred per cent, and our tonnage
about one hundred per cent; and while this is
true, our navy, instead OF being proportonably
increased, has actually decreased, both in the
number Oft ships and of lis guns And the navy
OF 1911 was nearly the same as that which Judge
upshur had so urgently asked 10 have increased
in lSil-'2.
Is not this statement one whose force il is i'm
possible TO resist If any member OF the House
calls for an Argument more plain and simple than
this, let mc submit TO him another view. Our
ships are made OF perishable-alas, too perish
able-material. The best of them soon become
drcayed and unreliable. Where now are the YES
sells which gave Immortality 10 "sea-born Sala-
mis- = Where now IS the proud ship which bore
the great Nelson at once 10 victory and 10 death
The best OF ours must soon be as unsubstantial as
these.
Thriy-iive years is more than the average du-
ration of vessel. Then, as we have about seventy
vessels of all classes and descriptions in our navy
and the whole must be replaced by reconstruction
IN thirty-hve years, II appears that we must have
two new vessels every year, on an average, TO
however, has been ordered by act of Congress
since 1877, when four steamers were authorized
10 be built, III consequence of deficiency in ves
ses then existing. Since lS47, seven years have
elapsed. AT the rate of two vessels year, four
teen are now wanted 10 supply the loss from ord-
nary decay. Is II not iimo, then, to pass such a
bill as this z We have now the requisite mate
rals on hand, and an overiowing treasury. Shall
we ereuse 10 build vessels for our navy and leave the
surplus in the treasury TO be paid out in the pur-
49, - Il ~l.t lnl. q.
twenty per cent. premium, or else to be squander-
ed in every wild scheme of speculation and plum
der which d voracious lobby can devise! Let
lovers Of economy and purity answer
In my argument thus far have failed TO pre-
sent the consideration that the construction of
new vessels is absolutely necessaryto keep up
with the inventions and improvements of the last
few years. We beat England in 1872, in part be-
cause we were In advance of her in the ofbuild-
ing and arming vessels. She, and all the other
maritime nations of Europe in advance of us
in that respect now. The screw-propeer which
is lately so much in use with them has scarcely
entered our navy AT all yet. Its advantages are
very great and numerous. Then the science and
skill of the last few years has fully proved the su-
periority OF guns much larger than those hereto.
fore in use because they reach greater distance,
and are much more destructive in effect.
What American will not feel mortified at the
fact that we have no steamer in commission in our
navy bearing more than ten guns, while many of
the steamers in. the European navies bear more
than one hundred guns, and some in the English
navy as many as one hundred and thirty guns7
This suggests another important consideration
in reference TO the increase of our navy The
Secretary OF the Navy has very properly declared
that we ought not 10 seek 10 equal the navies of
the leading maritime powers of Europe. Their
condition of contiguity 10 each other, their fre-
quent ENVIRONMENTS, and their extensive foreign
possessions, with other reasons of similar char
acier, render a greater naval armament necessary
on their part. But with them is our competition,
and with them are 10 be our contests if any shall
shortly befal us. We must, then, have some ref
erence 10 their strength, and seek TO preserve
some proportion 10 il on our part. To show our
too great ii,feriority TO them, have prepared a
table of the naval strength of different countries
which will not now give, but will append TO my
printed speech.
Those who are more exact and minute in their
inquiries may not be satisfied with these general
arguments in favor Of new construction of ves-
sels al the present time. They may desire TO
know where they are needed, and in what squad
rons they are 10 be employed The apportion.
ment OF our vessels into squadrons is the appro-,
pirate work Of the Secretary of the Navy, and
desire not TO encroach upon his proper domain. /
think, however. that it will be quite easy 10 show
where greater number of vessels, not only might
be used with propriety, but are demanded by the
exigences of the service.
It has been leading object with me, since my
mind has been directed 10 this subject, TO devise
and submit clear and definite naval policy for
our country desired 10 show, if possible how
many vessels we needed, of what classes and de-
scrptions, and how they should be disposed OF.
Owing 10 the uncertainty of the service required,
and other difficulties which attend the subject |
have been able, thus far, only to approximate the
desired result. 1t is clear, however, that we
should have larger number OF vessels near the
coast OF Europe during the hosities there. a lar
ger number in the Pacific, and larger number in
our home service. Above all. we should have
some frst-cass, heavily y-armed, screw-propeller
irlgates. Without these our naval armament is
totally unequal for the uses for which il is de-
signed and would as well be dismantled and sur
rendered at once. Our annual appropriation for
such purposes is utterly useless, unless we have
navy worth keeping up. This point we ought
TO resolve at once. ...
Besides all these arguments, there is a strong
one arising out of the state Of feeling and of rela
ton existing between the different nations Of the
earth at the present time. There is a sensitive.
ness and nervous restessness in the public mind
peculiar 10 the present time Nations, so TO speak
are on the q", r're. Every trille is scanned to
discover the mighty consequences TO which il may
lead.
"Each toy seems prologue to some great amisso
Everything portends change. We are probably
on the eve OF mighty events. The probability now
is that peace between Russia and Turkeyis far
remote, and that furious war between them is
inevitable France and England take part on be-
half of Turkey. Louis Napoleon has been long
hot for the encounter. and the English ministry
have been unable longer TO resist the warke tenn.
per of the English nation
Those well-apponted navies which have re-
Gently been resting in such ominous quiet in the
Bosphorus have awakened from their lethargy
and soon we may hear that they have startled the
Turkish seas with the wild glare Of their terrible
guns. Russian fleet is in the Baltic Sir Charles
Napier is about 10 proceed 10 the same sea, and
very soon the lurd blaze that the English and
French fleets may kindc on the Black sea may be
answered back by one scarcely less terrific in the
neighborhood of the German ocean. Who can
tell where this contest is 10 end Will not Austria
and Prussia be involved? And if they are then
Poland and Hungary may revolt. Other provinces
may follow, and mingled war Of nations against
nations, of races against races, of provinces
against kingdoms, of subjects against rulers, may
ensIe. .H0
The sky is dark and lowering. Under these
circumstances, what does it bchoovc us TO do
Ours will be the neutral flag, and il may be, the
only neutral flag of any influence upon the great
highways Of trade. Let us be able 10 command
for il the immunity and the rights Of neutrality. If
we appear feeble and helpless, The bcigerent ma
tions in the wantonness OF passion, may encroach
unon and insult ma W.. NAV ,yo;J .I;u..,.t,,,