The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-12-31

an interesting letter from friend Of
the Secretary OF the Navy in regard to
the necessity Of increasing the navy by
the addition Of fast vessels. Referring
to a letter by Donald Mckay, published
in the Boston Advertiser, the writer
hays
His letter, ] know, had a wonderful
| ntnence upon the minds Of many ship
ow }ers in New England-men who had
suffered from the depredations of Brit
ish pirates, and who we're, therefore,
deeply incansed against the Navy De-
partment Because this letter was
partly political, was probably the reason
WHY 1t was not given for publication
ia sone Of bis letters published in
your paper, Mr. Mckay urged the Gov
ernment very earnestly to build swift
vessels of war TO protect our commerce,
and | think, notwithstanding all the
Navy Department has done and is still
doing this subject should be kept before
il. We are not yet out Of the woods.
so far as French interference is con
cerned. In a couple Of molths we
may hear that Louis Napoleol, "in the
Interests of humanity and commerce,
y determined to put forcibe stop 10
eur contest, by helping the rebels. To
guard against such a contingency, it is
maniiestly our duty to use every means
within our power to increase our navy.
We have now between fifty and sixty
thousand seamen ahoat let the num-
Der be doubled, and be placed on.boarj
OF swift vessels Of between two ana
three thousand tons, and we believe .
Ia would hesitate before be would in 1
terfere. An ounce Of prevention Is
worth pound Of cure highlands
policy has demonstrated the truth Of
this wise saw When British statemeD
became aware Of the rapid Increase of
he French Navy, they took the alarm
md doubled their own. For every
'essel laid down in France, two, or even
hree, were laid down IN England, and
y this wise forecast peace between
he two countries has been preserved
We must follow this example to secure
from attack We must not
est satisfied with what has been ac-
omplished, while anything remains to
e done
When commenced this letter, in
epded to have given some Of the lead,
~ points Of Mr. Welle's report: but
he Importance of providing for our fu-
are safety has so monOp0lized my
md, that / must defer doing so at {
resent It may not, however, be amiss
, give the following statement from the
ashington Republican, as it is clear
nd to the point:
The average expenses Of the navy
II the four fiscal years is SO, Gl,Sl3in
Hated currency and during this pc
Cd and included in this expenditure q
the creation of this vast navy, which
IS gone noiselessly forward with the .
eat operations OF the war. Of the
inform success Of the navy every loy. G
heart is proud All through the
.rkest hours of our stupendous con.
st, when despair brooded over our
nd, She electric light of q naval yicto~
came out Of the blacklist cloud
edding is bright rays over the whole
ad and inspiring the Government and
mics with new hope and encouraging
TO renewed energies-first. mt Hat
'as, second at Port Royal third, in c.,
esapeake Bay (the Monitor Merri- al
lck,) fourth, at New Orleans: fifth, at e.
ri Henry, sixth, at Arkansas Post
.enth, at Newborn Capture of the 10
anoke J eighth, capture of the At
TIA ninth, naval battle between the y
'arsarge and pirate Alabama, and
king Of the latter within sight OF
g imperial palace of Napoleon III
.tb, reduction and capture Of tn,
Is in Mobile Bay. eleventh, destruc.
n Of the iron-clsd Albermarle 81
mouth twelfth, capture of the Ii
q Florida; thirteenth, capture Of
mouth, \. G, and a series OF uiB,r
torres, without a single defeat AID
fatal repulse
his Is all very well for the past, BOW
the future and to provide for ia.
baole contingencies. Is the duty of
lgress. Let those v no are dispoed
Ind fault with the Secretary Of he
~ bear in mind that he cannot
ID and equip ships without money
slleve every loyal taxpayer in the
ntry Is in favor Of producing such
avy as shall render foreign interfsr
improbable therefore / say. fur3.
the means, and then hold the Nayy
'artment responsible. We mu.f
e a powerful navy to command
a common respect from the naval
ers OF the Old World-Powers
hate u for our principles. znd
would plunder us. as they have
adered the people Of India, China
the Islands Of the Pacific. II We =
not prepared and Determined IN
a shsr4 ~ 4ha 3..sh