The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-06-24
THE NATIONAL ERA: WASHINGTON d. c. JUNE a. 1858.

you must first present the argument of force, or
you will not be listened to.
Mr. Chairman this is not the time to relax our
efforts for the maintenance of h0nle-bred race of
seamen, whose patriotism may be relied upon in
the event of war. Are we not at this moment
threatened with war =? Has not our flag been
insulted repeatedly within the last month ?
Sir, when our intercourse is rapidly increas-
ing with all nations, and especially with this new
commerce of the Pacific dawning upon us, would
it not be most unwise for the Government to
fall into the new policy which has been propos-
ed, of crippling our naval resources Is this
time to abandon system which has been deem
ed essential to the existence of navy by every
Administration, from Washington to the present
For Mr.. Jefferson is no exception to the remark
since he was opposed to the establishment of
navy while President, but became convinced of
his error when he saw what navy could achieve
under the administration of his successor. He
saw defeat succeed defeat, and disaster follow
disaster, on the land He saw the spirits of his
countrymen droOp, and their hearts almost die
within them, in view of these saddening events.
But he saw that hour of national sorrow, shame,
and dependency, relieved as often as tidings
came up from the sea. Our navy consisted of few
small vessels. A mistaken policy had regarded it
as OF secondary consequence, and treated it ac
cordingly. That policy had provided only
small handful of vessels for this great emergen-
cy; and doubtless the general expectation was,
that our little feet would be swept from the
ocean by the invincible power and prowess of
England. But its achievements have added per-
manent glory and honor to the nation, and in the
hour of greatest need rendered it essential service
The American fishermen have signalized their
hatred to oppression and wrong, and their death
less love of liberty, in our battles sea and land,
from the arrival of the Mayfower to the pres
ent time.
In the American navy in time of war, or in
the no less honorable and useful pursuits to
which it is devoted in times of peace, these har-
dy and enterprising men, whose home is on the
mountain wave, visit all seas, all regions of the
earth, from the burning suns of the torrid zone
to the regions of perpetual winter. The sailor
carries commerce, civilization, and Christianity,
to the remotest parts of the world; and whether
1T is to discover new races of men far beyond the
seas, to visit the Esquimaux in his hut of ice in
the vicinity of the north pole, to discover a new
continent around the south pole, or to ascend
the Amazon under the equator, it is the Ameri-
can sailor still, who heads the column of civi-
zati6n.
Our sailors are to be found along our extend
ed seacoast, ascertaining with unerring certainty
the precise position, and laying down on the
chart, every rock, shoal or quicksand They
are making science the ally of our practical af-
fairs; and are explaining TO the world the prin-
ciples which govern the currents of the sea, the
winds, and storms, and teaching man to control
the elements, and make them minister to his
necessities and pleasures. They have sounded
the depths and shoals of the wide Atlantic and
it was reserved for an American naval officer
Lieut.. j. NJ. Brook, to perform this wonderful
task. They are at this moment engaged conjoint.
ly with the mother country, in laying down the
mystic wires in oceans depths, which are to
transmit human thought from continent to con-
tinent with the rapidity Of lightning, and to con-
meet with electric currents all people and en-
pires on the globe. They are guarding our i'm
mense commerce over every sea, and protecting
our citizens in all lands, and affording all need
full assistance and relief to our commercial ma
rine.
Such, Mr.. Chairman, is a faint sketch of some
Of the labors and responsibilities of our gallant
navy.
But, sir, will trespass no longer on the pa
thence of the Committee | will conclude by re-
peating, in the language of Mr.. Webster, that
" the fisheries were the seeds from which these
glorious triumphs were born and sprung"