The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1859-09-16
Eaae alton Of Aeamen

TIN, Secretary of State of Massachusetts has
laid memorial before the legislature of that
State. which urges thes importance OF cduca-
ling boys for sctiye service at sea. This me-
mortal quotes from Official sources the re-
1aark;lhle fact that in our marine connected
with foreign ports, not more than one-fifth OF
the seamea are Americans, The fisheries,
these peculiar nurseries Of American seaman
ship. are rapidly declining The Massaehu-
setts Secretary recommends the purchase by
that STATE of a vessel OF seven hundred tons,
which would accommodate two hundred and
nfty lads, where stringent discipline should
bc enforced, aud good conduct ana RAPID al
vance IN study be rewarded by promotion TO
hon ratle Offices and duties on board ship
A. tbe age of fifteen or sixteen years after
studv and practice OF one or two years, they
war ID l.. received in the merchant service at
WA .. and. rs educated seamen, have opened
40 fnein profitable and respectable courses of
I.s
B.ERs once described in glowing strains The
enterprise Of American seamen in the whale
fish cries and the first NAPOLEON declared that
Americans were the best sailors in the
world" There is no doubt that this was at
on,i time true. In the New England States,
W, ere the shipping interests originated, the
fio'wer of the Young men, in enterprise and
mi hhoOd devoted themselves TO nautical pur-
SUITS. Officers of the mercan tile marine stood
hii:ll In social position and influence; educa-
te,, and high-spirited youths went to sea be-
fose The mast. having before them the stimu-
la.us of promotions and rewards which their
Own commanders had attained by working
tn iT way back faom the farecas lie, and not, an
in modern times. stealing in through the cabin
W ndows In the whaling vessels all Were,
=. d SSH are, paid by share of the proceeds Of
The voyage, and thus have an interest in all
II at regards the efficiency and good order OF
tie ship. There is library in every vessel
They sometimes return from three years
voyage without the loss of man. II was
lch men As these that manned our ships in
L re Revolution and in the late war, and that,
j. peace have made American vessels The glory
OF the ocean, and built up, within the lite
tlhse Of man, a commerce the second in the
orld.
Ii 40 expect to preserve this commerce, and
80 maintain ia the event Of war, the naval re-
nitation which our flag formerly achieved, We
rust have seamen, and seamen Of very diff
f. rent class from those who now tyrannize,
and -re tyrannized over, on the decks of Anne
r:cau ships. All over the world our Consuls
are overwhelmed with the mutual complaints
o. officers and crews charges of brutality and
murder OF one side, and Of conspiracy and !
IutLny on the other. II is truly SAID that |
sai!ors on the one side are getting, as Il class !
IL be incensed against the tyranny OF officers, |
ald officers becoming habitually e.tranged |
from and suspicious OF, their crews. 1t is more
s:lsy to perceive the effect upon American
commerce Of this alienation OF classes of men
" ho are Obliged TO work together, than 10
pJiut Out a remedy. The plan recommended
j. Massachusetts, if adopted at all tie great !
commercial ports might, in time, exert bene-
+ aI influence. The seataring vocation is one
Here are against il none Of those silly social
ureindicrs which. iE this land Of eq uality, seek
H. degrade some of the most useful pursuits
il j. "a calling which the proudest American
7 ir': follow withou detrment to his dignity |
a which, therefore, ought 10 draw within il
c If most enterprising and hardy young men,
instead OF being dependent upon the rifl-raT
q. the world; upon bad sailors and worse
men. :, ho are sunk lower sill in the scale of
Immunity by the brutal treatment which they
4 iiei-receiye from commanders. If laws can
I VA. scd BIZ which sailors shall BE- treated "a
Iteu We nave no doubt thousands of young ,
Americans would be glad To enter & profession |
y Lith is fall Of romance, adventure and chi. |
Salry, rs we'll as Of Indispensable value to the
illergsjs aad civilization OF mankind