The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-11-22

and some sick. Yet, strange to say, there was
larger vote polled at the last election than in
1860, showing that the increase Of the able
bsdied population by emigration and the natural
laws keeps pace with the requirements Of the
country. We do not miss the drain upon our
population even in this terrible war. More than
four millions and half Of men voted at this
election. 1t is natural to suppose that nearly
every man who is qualified to vote is able to
fight. So we advise those folks in Europe
who talk about this country being exhausted
and SO forth to get the last election returns,
put them in their pipes and smoke them.
The Wooden and Iron Walls or America
National Sailors Home.
We are glad to notice desire on the part
OF the patriotic people of the North to estab-
lish asylums for the sailors and marines Of our
Navy who shall be permanently disabled from
longer performing their duties a1oat by rea
son Of wounds or sickness. 1t is a move
in the right direction. No class Of our
gallant defenders are better entitled to the
consideration Of the charitable and patriotic
than the brave fellows who man our ships
ofwar and sustain the honor Of our flag in
every part Of the globe. To their stout hearts
and strong arms we are indebted for the
victories which have given us the great har-
bors Of the South, and inspired the admiration
and fear of the maritime Powers of the world.
Without their cool courage and jealous per
Torrance Of their arduous duties and wonder
full powers Of endurance we should have pre-
sented spectacle Of q nation attempting to
exhaust, starve and wear out rebel commu
nifty, with every avenue open to the world,
through which could flow supplies of all
kinds sufficient to sustain it and enable
it to prolong the contest Indefinitely. But
with our new navy, manned by Yankee
tars, bold, efficient and true, we maintain
blockade, such as the world has not seen, so
thoroughly that an admission of its complete
ness and effectiveness is wrung from our Bit
terest opponents. For this great result we are
indebted to our sailors alone and not to the
drowsy and stupid Navy Department. It is
they who guard the approaches to our coast
and warn off by their determination and power
the enemies to our country. Could the Navy
Department wake up for while and keep
pace with the energy and skill Of the sailors,
by furnishing them fast vessels, we should
hear little of privateers or blockade runners.
They would all have long since been captured
or sunk.
Diplomacy is potent at times; but the exhi-
biton Of great naval force, armed with
heavy guns and manned by brave and skilful
sailors, is still more powerful in its salutary
influences to deter foreign nations from inter-
meddiing with our affairs or aiding our enc
mics. Its moral effect is greater than the ele-
CANT technicalities and oily phrases with which
the diplomatist befogs great national Issues.
Diplomacy twists and turns facts and slides
around them; but 6fteen-inch gun must be
confronted, and it gives forth no uncertain
sound. Let US, then. sustain the navy first;
for by 50 doing we nerve the statesman and
uphold him in his work.
IN no way can we better manifest our consider
alton and regard for the sailors, and our appre-
than by offering them an asylum in which they
may receive . nations care after they have
fought the good fight, and come home again
broken down and mutilsted in body, as many
already are, to spend their declining days in
ease and comfort, with the assurance that pen
ury shall not cross their threshold nor kind
hand be wanting to perform the last Offices be-
slowed on man. Jack is an improvidcnt crea-
ture. He has no care for the morrow. He
spends the hard earnings Of year in day, and,
unlike the bee, lays up no stores for the future.
In bis efforts to get rid Of his money he is al
ways aided by rapacious aad villsnous land
lords and rascally on-shore companions, and
Jack always manages to find the last
d ollar before he has been on shore week.
Consequently he is always a little behind
the world, and when sickness capacitates him
from further duty he is thrown on its cold
charities without money or friends, and is
presently laid away in pauper's grave. He
needs to be cared for like child, and the nation
should assume the charge. One Of Englands
noblest institutions is devoted to the care
and maintenance Of her disabled sailors.
Greenwich Hospital, an asylum for deeayed
and worn out man of-wars men, stands to-
day q substantial evidence Of England's APP
probation and regard for her brave defenders.
Why shall we not have institutions Of like
character!
Our navy is now manned by over sixty
thousand sailors and marines, and, excepting
the Philadelphia Sailors Home, capable of ac
ccmynodating but handful. of men, we have
not an asylum In the land set apart for Jack
when bis days Of service are over. Boston has
inaugurated the movement to establish national
homes for sailors, and by means Of fair,
enthusiastically aided and supported, has raised
over one hundred and fifty thousand dollars
to found one in the vicinity Of that city.
Shall New York city and State be behind
Boston in this pbilanthropic and patriotic
work. We have the wealth and the enter.
prise here, and equally as great an interest in