Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1856-12-23

IL is not without regret and modification that we
have noticed the petition 10 Congress Of the enter.
prisng proprietors Of The Collins Line Of Steamcrs
setting forth that Il win be impossible, at the re-
ducsd compensaton allowed for the mail service 10
continue the line any longer, aud requesting Con.
gross to take his steamers of his hands This is q
matter which seriously Affects the pride and Anne Of
the whole country and should receive at the hands
Of Congress that careful and deliberate consideration
to which il is entitled For one wo think il incum-
bent upon Congress to award to the Collins Line
such compensation for mail service as win serve to
keep 1t up. without loss to tho owner. Tho paltry
consideration Of few thousand dollars should not
be permitted to work the ruin Of what has 80 deeply
excited the national PRIDE and contributed so largely
to the national glory. Let Congress- therefore, de-
termine to sustain the Collins Line OF Steamers IL
it can possibly be done within the bounds Of reason
and propriety. We subjoin, because we cordially
endorse its sentiments the following article on the
subject from the New York Mirror:
"Wherever tho and fame Of the Uuitsd States
have penetated-from Indus to the Poe-the Collins line
Of mail steamers Is known as the most splendid exponent
Of American ingenuity and enterprise 1t is the Niagara
OF American skin. Standing recently the deck OF the
magnificent Adratc, eyes taking in at glance the
beauty and magnitude Of her fair proportions We felt
thrill OF hearty national pride and patriotism exunr In
such tangible and glorious exhibition OF the nations
strength We have fears but that tho Adratic when
the hour o trial comes viii excel al the great achieve
ments Of the ocean, and add largely to the respect ad
mation for American enterprise which the Collins line has
done 90 much 10 engrah upon skeptical Europe.
at is therefore humblng confession for American
to make that this great enterprise which has contributed
largely foster honest national pride and to en-
nance the fame Of American prowess abroad has re-
ceived from the government the support which il had
right to expect aud thar @ protector has given notice
will be impossible the reduced compensation allowed
for the mail service TO continue the line without arnsh
ing the great victories it has Mr. Collins has been
compelled to request Congress to take his his
hands, and is not improbable that the whole concern will
be closed up before the 4th OF March.
'With the Withdrawal Of the Collins line we must give
up supremacy the ocean, and coness the long
struggle between British and American ocean steamer
skill has resulted in the victory OF the former For the
purpose Of competing with the Cunardes several Of which
have been built for the express purpose Of beating the
than the additional pay allowed by him ut tue last
session. He has reduced the time required In crossing
the ocean one fourhthe average days being brought
down TO has compelled the Cunard line TO shorten
their time in the RATIO has saved thousands dollars
TO the country in the shape Of interest," and has diverted
into large for hostages hitherto abb
sorbed by the rival lines.
"For these servces-which the ancient Republics would
have rewarded with statue a civic triumphMr Col
Inns not improbaby have occasion for secongraiula
ton ii he can his steamers from the hammer This
Is the gratitude OF enlightened Republic in the Nine
teenth Century, Or rather IL Ia the knavsh mbecty OF
Congress- which will squsnder hundreds Of thousands at
the beck OF parties organized for purposes Of gigantic
spoilatonwhich laws millions OF Of public lands at
the feet Of Railroad monopolies-which rivals the public
prostitute in selling iavors to the highest bdder-but
which stands ready cut the throat OF the only line Of
plays into the hands Of England whose policy il is To
run our ships of the ocean