The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1859-08-31
The NAVY.

The government of the United states mas
begun to make some approach towards rem
dering the navy efficient by the construction
Of steam guuboats, Of light draft, enabling
them to navigate shallow waters, and at the
same time, capable of carrying guns OF heavy
ealibre Some of the vessels purchased for the
Paraguay exueditIon have been added to the
vessels constructed for that purpose, and are
to be employed upon the African coast and in
The Gulf for the suppression OF the alleged
slave trade 10 the United States, matter
about which there appears to be good deal OF
justification. Civilians and outsiders may bt
incompetent to pronounce an opinion upon
such subjects; but it is difficult TO understand
why the revenue service should not be con-
solidated with the naval, and its small. but
fast.sailing and seaworthy yesselsAjust the
kind that is most needed in the maybe
added to the naval arm; and employed both
as revenue and naval vessels. They might
perform all the Offices of u coast and home
squadron and their present duties, especially
if adapted to the employment of steam as, in
any event all which are hereafter construc ted
ought to be.
The navy of the United States ought TO be
fostered and encouraged by the government
not OhfY on HCGU0ht VI I'D ptlot oci tStSS-
which have elected the admiration of the
world--but of the vast commercial interests
which it is called upon 10 protect, and the re-
sponsibilities which Will deyolye upon it here
after in the defence Of the country We have
now the largest commerce in the world, with
possibly the single exception of Great Britain,
and the smallest navy OF any great CONNER
clal power. Small as that navy is, 1t has only
I, 10 fat lpH So
that, if sailing vessels-as the naval men of the
world agree-are hereafter 10 be discarded III
naval warfare, we may be said to have no navy
ut all, OF one incunsiderable that it does not
deserve the name. We cannot rely for our fu-
ture commercial security and the defence OF
our soil against European nations, upon the
pacific dispositions of the world for recent
events have shown that mankind are as prone
to wiz as ever, that the great powers of Eu-
rope are as willing ever to draw the sword
upon the most trihing pretexts, and that their
means of annoyance and destruction are great
ly increased, whilst our preparations for de-
fence are not as great as i'll former years. In
1872, the sea itself was a bulwark of protec-
lion, and the superior seamanship of our
sailors an advantage which made US formida-
BILE as naval power. The universal adoption
of steam in the large navies of Europe has
neutralzed tho advantages of our greater
naval aptitude, while it has virtually bridged
the widest ocean for the transportation of ala
invading force. The facility with which
enormous masses of troops Were conducted by
the agency of steam to the Crimea, ought 10
teach us not 70 rely on our distance from Eu-
rope as security from danger. We ought to
build up sIrong navy, introduce steam uni
versally, and increase the pay of our officers,
whose compensation is now utterly made
quate to their support, and must certainly
drive from the service its best and most enter
prising members