The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-02-07

Ia L, 4 CD0O an 1. lOC
The Collins Line ~ ssesners-IlIibe~.u.ty sT
CongreR.
There is a rumor sfioat Of the probable aban-
donment of the Collins mail line, aud Of the sale
of the vessels composing it, This report has
been contradicted, and we trust that IL win turn
out to be unfOunded. We should regard the
extinction of this line as rejecting sort of ma
tional discredit upon us.
The history Of the Collins line in connection
with the iberality Of the United States govern
ment offers striking contrast to that of foreign
enterprises of similar character. The vessels.
of this company are amongst the finest in the
world, both as regard accommodation and
speed. They have always held out to the tra-
yelling public the strongest inducements for
preference in both these regards. They have
done this in the face Of the keenest competition
to which they could have been exposed and
which had been fortified by years Of uninter-
rupted and undisputed success. During the
brief period that the Collins line has
been in existence it has met with
severe checks In the loss Of couple of its
finest vessels; but as these losses were partially
If not wholly covered BY insurance, they had no
material effect on the financial prospects of the
company. The inconvenience occssioned by
them was felt rather in the temporary curtail-
ment of the facilities afforded 10 the public than
in any prolonged or material damage to the
prestige of the line II is certainly not to these
or any other contingencies arising out of the
L.. ohoc &c <ba hat
to attribute the feeling of encouragement which
is said to have given birth to the intention of
abandoning it. If such feeling should exist
which we very much doubt-then it is referable
to other causes the blame of which should be
saddled in the right quarter.
The Collins line as we have frequently had
occasion to repeat, is one which has peculiar
claims to the favor and support of our govern
ment. 1t is an enterprise originating in the
laudable ambition to secure to American YES
sels the carrying Of the transatlantic mails and
passengers previously monopolized by British
lines. The Cunard Company was established
with the aid Of large subsidy from the British
government; and strong as it was in that sup
port and in the influence Of a long and prospe-
rous career ii was necessary that an opposing
American line should receive all the favor and
encouragement in the power of Congress to be-
stow. That favor was extended for a brief pc
riod to the Collins line; but ewing to the jeal-
Gus and narrow minded opposition which it
met with in Congress, and to the harrassing
discussions and obstacles with which each re-
newal of the government grant was met, it was
partially, and will soon be wholly withdrawn.
The termination of the mail contract in June
next will of course deprive the company of one
of the chief sources of support upon which il
relied, and will render it impossible for it to
compete, with any chance of success with the
Cunard line, backed "a the latter is by large
subvention from the British government.
1t will be asked, what are the grounds on
which Congress has thought fit to withdraw
its countenance from an enterprise 80
national in its character and 80 conducive to
our maritime superiority? Was it on account
of incompetency or Encouragement, or was
the burthen of the arrangement consider
ed too heavy to compensate for the advan-
tages derived from it? Not one of these rea-
sons, we believe, had the slightest influence on
the decision that was arrived at. II is not pre-
tended that the Collins line is badly managed.
1t has never yet been satisfactorily shown that
the work that IL performs is not worth the
amount paid for it, But even admitting that
more liberal scale than the British government
do theirs, there are many reasons why this libe
rslity should not BE dscontinued-at least not
just yet. The encouragement which II holds
out to eur shpowners and merchants to break
down foreign monopolies, and to secure our
fair proportion of the mail and passenger traf
fc of the Atlantic would alone be sufficient
motive for it. If to do this our companies
build Superior vessels and 60 to increased ex-
pcnse in order to secure the highest rate Of
speed, it Is evidently the policy Of Congress
not 10 measure with too close . hand the
amount of assistance to be rendered to them.
It is precisely the reverse Of this policy that
has been pursued in reference TO the Collins
line, and it is to the Encouraging influence Of
such illiberality that we may attribute the re-
ported intention Of the company, If intention
there exists, TO abandon the enterprise. Con
sidering the generally favorable feeling that
prevails towards the line in the Eastern States,
it seems surprising that so many hostile infu-
ences should have been brought to bear against
it in Congress. They are to be ascribed entire
ly to the jealous and niggardly spirit of the
South and Southwest, which, forgetful of the
advantages that they owe to usetake every OPP
portunity Of manifesting their hostility to our
interests When IL is considered that the COM
mercial States Of New York and New England
pay for half the mail facilities which those re-
gions enjoy, and which they would be deprived
Of b,,f for ocuctopca fbo,r vct To-