The New York herald., 1863-10-19

DIe 10 us Is tuo neSieCt OF MeSSrS 6tantOn
and Halleck to avail themselves of any Of the
several opportunities Of the last six months
for the capture of Richmond by way of the
peninsula. But our profound conductors Of
the war may have pleasant surprise in store
for us even in Virginia; and 80 let us wait in pa
tience for its development, and be thankful that
though our gallant Army of the Potomac is back
10 its old position Of last September year
ago, Washington, at least, is perfectly safe.
Absorption OF the Carrying Trade by
Foreign Vessels.
During the first year of the war our
foreign caricaturists. No allowance was
made for the fact that when the rebellion
broke out we had no regular army worth
speaking Of, and no military experience what
ever. Our mistakes were made the most of by
secessionst sympathizers abroad, and they sue
ceeded in creating the impression that the
rthern people were inferior to those Of the
South in the military qualities necessary to sue
cess, and that in the end we should be whipped
into compliance with their demands.
Well, we have overcome gil these prejudces
and have proved beyond the power Of cayil
that we are not only the equals Of the rebels in
aptitude for the profession of arms, but that in
steady endurance we surpass them, in spite
of the blunders of the War Office Our
foreign critics are compelled TO own that, as a
military nation, we have exhibited wonder
full development, and they measure with alarm
the influence it may exert on their own pros
poets. So far, them as our military progress is
concerned, all occasion for senstiveness to such
structures is at an end.
We wish we could say as much in respect to
our navy. Whatever may have been its deicien-
cies at the commencement of the war, it cannot
be said that we had much to do to maintain
our superiority at sea, seeing that the South
has never been able to form even the nucleus
OF such an organization. And yet how do we
stand as to our actual pre-eminency in this
regard? A reference to the shipping list of the
vessels in our port on the 10th of the present
month will best show this OF ships the pro-
portion Of foreign to American vessels was,
on that day, thirty to one hundred and
forty-two. or nearly one-ffth; Of barks,
ninety-fve to one hundred and seventy
eight, or nearly nehalf; Of brigs, one hun
dred and four TO one hundred and sixty
four or nearly two-thirds and of schooners,
tbirty-6ve to one hundred and two, or more
than one-third, showing as a total result more
than half the carrying trade of our port to have
already passed into the hands of foreigners
We do not include steamers in this inquiry, be-
cause all the European steam lines connecting
with this country are exclusively in foreign
hands-a fact due 10 the encouragement dealt
to native enterprise by our government. 1t is
significant fact, too, that many OF the
shipping advertisements lay stress on the
| circumstance that the vessels announced TO
sail for foreign ports are under neutral flags
an inducement to which they are indebted
for their present unexampled prosperity.
Should the war continue another year the above
figures will bs largely sweled against us; for
we question much whether ii will be then pos
sible for American vessels TO obtain froights
at all.
Now, how does it come to pass that with
navy Chat has increased to more than
FIVE hundred vessels, and with seamcn
and officers whose patriotism, courage and
capacity have been abundantIy demon.
stratcd during the progress Of the war
we have allowed our commercial marine to be
thus driven from the ocean! The reply to
this question brings tingo Of shame to the
cheek Of every true hearted American. Whilst
we can explain the causes Of our frequent mni
tary reverses without feeling any loss Of self
respect, we cannot acknowledge that two OF
three rebel privateers have been enabled
to accomplish such o result without feeling
mortified and humbled. And yet such is the
fact. Owing to the imbecility or obstnacy- :
we know not by which name to call it-of ono
man, our carrying trade, one OF the grea
sources Of our commercial prosperity, Is in pro
cess of being annihilated. Is this to be allowed
to continue merely to crafty iolble-an amia
bic one, under other circumstance the Pre-
sident's character! Sticking to ones friends
may be good policy as general thing; but In
carrying It out too literally men sometimes
commit serious blunders. Statesmen, more
especially, often mistake their enemies for
their friends; and Of one thing Mr.. Lincoln may
rcst assured: that no member of his administra.
ton has contributed more TO damage y than
the sleepy old gentleman who presides ovcs
1.-The NAVY Department.