New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1857-02-21
. rrTArGE Of NAyAr. POIrCY.

respects too much ground for this, but more parncu-
larry in the overwhelming disparity of numerical
strength presented in the contrast The proportions
and number of our armed fleets when compared with
the interests they intended to defend and protect
and with the gigantic antagonists they may have to
encounter ridculously small but By no means in
significant, as has been repeatedly demonstrated.
During the last war with Great Britain the want of
naval protection for commerce and sea coasts
deeply felt and deplored. For defensive and protec
tive maritime warfare heavy armed vessels are re-
quired. Ofthese the English had, as they now have,
six to our one. Privateering was our main arm of
strength but, while private armed vessels spread
destruction and terror among English shipping on
every sea, their heavy cruisers, in feets penned up
ours blockaded ports, ravaged coasts and
plundered our commerce. Had our country then pos
sessed naval force at all adequate tots necessities,
the outrages committed by Admiral Cockburn, crown
ed by the humiating capture and destruction Of the
national capital, could have taken place; but
Notwithstanding the memory Of this notifying les
son. and notwithstanding the fact that the national
strength is now vastly greater than it was at day.
it is pretty certain that in the event of another war
with England within a few years, our means Of de-
fence could not prevent repetition Of those opera
tons-and no doubt they would be repeated, through
| We, too, Of New Orleans in the event of a war
with any of the great maritime nations of the EARTH
might find ourselves face to face with an appalling
danger by cloud more terrible in its
aspect than that torn to shreds by the heroes of
Chalmette. We should be glad to know what means
exist or what means could be mprovised in the face
of such event, to prevent feet of war steamers
from entering the mouth of the Mississippi and riding
abreast of wharyes within few hours after they
should heave in sight of the Balize.
Since the war of 1872 the want of better naval pro-
lection has been increasing one up to the present
time, for the American Navy has not kept pace in
growth with American commerce, though the world
is forced to admit that it is very eredtable what
there is of it. 1t may be compared to stunted,
spunky boy, whose twin brother has grown up to be
great lubbery giant yet whose quarres he is forced
to take upon his own shoulders in order to preserve
the family reputation for pluck Our merchant ship
ping visits every seaport open to the world; it carries
the operations of commerce on larger scale than
that Of any other naton our dock yards turn out the
finest vessels in the world we have built few,
very few finer vessels Of war than ever before foated
yet pirates may seize and destroy our ships, and muir
der their crews in remote Of the vast ocean
petty authorities Of Dutch colony or a barbarous
island sovereignty, may throw American captains
into prison or levy tribute upon them; insolent
officers of power with which we are at peace may
board vessels and exercise the fright Of search,
as they have done repeatedly within few weeks
in the port of San Juan ships may be fred into
or seized and confiscated for mistake in the mani
fest; arrogant customhouse officials may annoy in
suit and practice the most outrageous extortion-and
these wrongs may be repeated until they in some
measure excuse themselves ime-honored customs,
or on the score of force Of habit-they may accumu
mulate mountain high, and yet, in nine out of
ten they followed by no punishment, no redress,
These things have become patent to the people of
this country who bestow any attention upon the sub
ject, and unanimous opinion prevails that we re-
| quire far more efficient naval armament. That
opinion has long prevailed among the more intelligent
and observing members of the American family, and
it has been frequently urged upon the attention of
Legislators. The apathy and lack of vgor in this
branch of our political economy, may be ascribed
mainly to Difference to the preiudices of very
large portion of American constituency, who have
horror of large expenditures for any purpose, yet
who quietly submit to the outrageous and continually
repeated swindles OF corrupt public officers and con-
i tractors.
1 1t begins to appear plain to all, however, that
false economy has been pracced in the creation and
4 maintenance of our navy and army, and that the
4 country has paid dearly for cheap purchase. The
first indication Of awakening to sound view of the
subject was the act of Congress providing for the
| construction of six magnificent steamers, of stu
pendous proportions and extreme completeness in de-
tail of material and appointment. This followed
by the bill of appropriation for steam sloopsofwar-
very seryiceabe class of vessels for coast defense
and the universal satisfaction which these measures
have produced shows clearly the opinions and wishes
Of the people upon the subject, and indicates that
the true policy, once adopted, will be followed up.
The Merrimac was the first of the six frigates fin
ished and she is cruising about in the waters of
the old world, showing herself to the seafaring
| of Europe, who look upon her with more interest
than they would upon the seaserpent should he leave
Nantucket and visit their Shores She has not rival
in the world, in any point or quality desirable in
war steamer and will not have until the Niagara is
launched which is expected to be superior to her in
every respect. So perfect in every detail is she
dered by the application of radical improvements,
and so tremendous is the battery she carries that
perenced ship.buders and seamen have declared the
opinion that no two war vessels afoat would be a
; match for her in battle.
Few things have for many years afforded the Lon
don Times and other English papers more food for
amusement and ridicule than the supposed insignf.
canoe and impotence OF the American Navy. But
the visit of the Merrmac, the last report of our
Secretary of the Navy, or perhaps fit of ilhumol
at its own Government, has caused the Times to take
an entirely different view of the subject and to init
mate that John Bull would do well to take lesson
from Brother Jonathan, and may soon be in very
bad way if he refuses. A recent number of thai
paper publishes article upon the last report of the
Secretary Of the American Navy, from which W.
4 extract the following
concerned have the opportunity Of
; ing that the Americans by negeetiug thei
Navy They emitting nothing thai may bring only
equality. hnt superiority the fleets Of Europe
They resolved be beaten and they afraid
The value this document is thai ii eNhausts the sub
jeet processes tell everything far certain Reasonable
ii report has actually cooked eayes him pos
but the report the American Navy is particular
suggestive Of upon At there is such
terry, lore reconde knowledge unattainabe III
of the British Navy. Certain Admiralty tell
sips in aud Of commission, and where they ougt
10 be- But they say the children of this age the
the future vessels The The future feet
England So what ships building How many eyiRtha
T. of the deep those threedeckers qurB
for the sole purpose apparently of consuming coal
money? How many frigaies fl 10 show beside the Merfimat
whether peace war; How many of those sloos ofwA
those gunboa upon which the American report b,ios