New-York daily tribune., 1861-07-03
SEA MILITIA.

As we maintain no standing army equal to the
e1igency Of war; but are obliged to fall back,
when the occasion arises, upon the militia and
volunteer force of the country, we do not
keep aloat Navy large enough to answer
the purpose of offeDse and defense in like
emergency, aud may properly aud wisely resort
to similar old. The reasoDabeDess of the prop
osition is apparent upon its mere statement, and
needs no argument.
so far O., actual fighting is concerned in our
present national business of putting down insnr-
rectIon. the navy is large enough for any prooa-
bio service of that sort. SO tar as we positively
know, the only armed vessel that the Confed-
crate pirates have been able to send to sea lie
one pot-boat, aud tbat at this moment lies
somewhere of tue Brooklyn Navy Yard, with It's
bastard flag surmOunted by the Stars and Stripes.
Nor is it likely that Mr. JEFF. Davis will ever
have navy. though he may dispose Of more OF
his letters of marque, unless the natural pro-
clivity of his subjects to piracy should receive
check from the fate which may possibly befali
the crew of one prigatccr already taken. But
whether this may be 80 or not, this sea militia
is wauted not to fight privateers, nor yet
to be privateers, but TO aid in blockadIng
the Southern coast. For that purpose our naval
force is msnifesty insufficient, simply from want
Of vessels to cover so long a lins Of sea-coast
But it must be covered 10 render the blockade
efficient and unless it be So foreign nations are
under no obg alton to regard IL. The Secretary
of State unq1estionably committed mistake in
.IoI. ut oil nd hat
for blockade is a term more properly applying
to the acton of one belligereut nation against
another, aod by the use OF 1t he gave to foreign
nations the privilege Of dsregarding it unle.s
vigorously established. Whereas, had the Pres-
dent announced by proclamation that certain ports
of entry were closed. it would have been only
necessary to proceed against oil vessels attempting
to enter under the revenue laws foe the prryen-
tion of smuggling, and few examples would
have put stop to trade. As the term block
ade, however, was chosen. we mutt act accord.
ingy.
To establish it, then, we need ships; but il is
not necessary that they should be SHIPS of the
Navy. There are vessels enough in our ports
which could in a few days be sent TO sea,
manned and armed as effectively for this ser
vice as any naval ships in existence. They could
so invest the whole Southern coast that not o
fishing smack could 60 10 or out without their
permission. Their presence would permit the
vessels of the Navy to cruise in search Of priva-
teers, attend To their legitimate work Of fighting
.bould there be any 10 do, while to the clipper
and other ships now crowding our ports. TO the
great loss Of their owners, might be lett the duty
of Oyerhaullng vessels attempting to run the
blockade.
We can conceive of no good reason why this
,hould not be done Immediately. Should the
Government give notice that 1t will put ia com
mission u certain number Of merchant vessels as
sea militia, we have no doubt taat it would
deveope as much patriotism among shiP.Owners
and seamen as it has found already among lands
men. The injury 10 our merchant marine, il our
ships are TO lie idle as loDg as the war lasts,
must needs be very great. Already this port
displays more foreign flags than ever fosted in
it before, and every one Of these neutral bottoms
takes the place and the business of our own yes-
sells lying idle at the whsrvos. This is inevitable
The rates Of insurance and the tears Of shippers
make it impossible thOt it should be otherwise
Aud while Distress and loss is thus brought upon
owners, our mariners are driven out Of the cOun-
try to seek employment elsewhere, and we lose
u hardy and important class Of whom, in
case Of foreign war, the country might be ter
rby punished for the want Of, aud whom, even
when peace is restored, We may not be able to
recall speedily as may be desired. But by
putting a large number of these vessels in coin
mission the GOycrnmant helps itself out Of di.
lemma and renders benefit to q large and i'm.
portant interest.
That tho blockade should bo rigidly enforced
is questioned by nobody save those who question
the propriety of prosecuting the war with ygor
IN any direction. II the South ID completely cut
off from all foreign intercourse, her submission
is only question Of timei il in the meanwhile
she is severely punished by vigorous campaign
IN tho interior, the insurrecton will be sup
pressed in a way that will render it impossible
Tor treason ever to raise its bead again within
this Union. 1t ia said that forward movement
IS delayed in Virginia for want Of wagons; it
cannot be said that the blockade is delayed for
want of ships, for they ready made to the
hands Of the Administration. II it desires it, it
can have before tie Let Of August n fleet at sea
that will draw an impsnetrable line from tho
Potomac 10 the mouth Of the RIO GraLde.
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