The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-08-06

The Superiority of American Iron-clad NOni-
tors and the Folly Of American Seif-lsioriA-
cation.
When business men or O mercantile firm
find good market or engage in profitable
enterprise, or when an inventive genius makes
some great discovery, it is usual for them to
avail themselves of the benefits Of their enter
prises and discoveries without letting the
whole world know the secret Of their prosper
ity. The American government has been at
Immense expense In experimenting upon and
testing the value Of certain kinds Of from
clad war ships and monitors, and at last its
efforts have been crowned with success. The
Monadnock and Miantonomoh iron-clad mont
tors, have made successful sea voyages--one to
California through the Pacific and Atlantic,
and tho other has crossed the Atlantic 70
Europe. In both instances their qualities M
sea-going vessels were fully tested, and they
were pronounced by scientific and experienced
men TO be the perfection OF invulnerable sea
war ships A prominent oficiai in the Navy
Department accompanied the Miantonomoh In
her junketing trip TO Europe, and be has been
especially distinguished for his urbanity and
courtesy 70 the crowned heads OF Europe aud
their Admiralty officers. Every particular con-
corning the construction of the hull. the ma
chinery, draught Of water, consumption OF fuel.
calibre Of armament, speed and sesworthiness,
was explained, TO the infinite admiration of
the English and French naval officers. and 70
the especial self-glordcation Of those who en-
joyed the task Of showing up the vessel.
The London Times In excessively Mandatory
upon the completenesr and effectiveness OF the
Miantonomoh, and declares that against such
vessels the coasts and hsrbors Of England are
comparatively defenceless Of course the
English Admiralty will take immediate steps
To supply their navy with vessels constructed
upon the principle OF the American iron-clad
brief space Of time We will find that ell the sd-
vansages We have gained by our enormous ex-
pendihrcs and tedious experiments in perfect
ing . complete ses-going iron-clad war
ship are enjoyed by European nations
without their mourning either the expense or
delay Of experimenting upon the vessels. In
Europe II il extremely dificult for strangers 20
obtain access to the government dock yards;
but in our case, In order 10 CRAFTY some sense
less feeling Of vanity and selfglory, we parade
all the minutic Of one OF our grandest naval
inventions TO the curious and gaping eyes u
foreigners who. We know not how soon. NAV
become our enemies. Both France and England
have attempted 10 construct iron-clsds: but
their attempts have in most instances proved
complete failures. England. always seli-con-
ceited. had her eyes opened 10 our superiority
In shpbuilding by the appearance in her water.
~ our fleets ~ packet and clipper ships, and
finally by the performances Of the yacht
America. She will now adopt our style of
iron-clsds. and thus We shall be deprived Of the
material benefits arising from our important
naval inventions and discoveries. The truth il.
our naval vessels of new and improved con-
struction should very rarely be allowed a. be
shown up in foreign ports. We cannot afford
70 sci ourselves MP a. patterns from which the
old Admiralty fogics Of Gres, Britain can copy.
Our naval inventions are source Of our
power and strength as a nation. and the secrets
Of the merits and peculiar construction Of our
naval vessels should remain sealed in the
Navy Department, and rot exposed 10 foreign
nations that are VIGOROUSLY inimical 20 smsri-
can interests. As thirgs are now conducted
onr finest war vess.ls, like the Nian'onomoh.
arc sent b. Europe 10 acilltai" some private
speculation or TO secure contracts Ivy some
naval constructor or naval officer who has re-
signed his post in our navy. Favoritism u
shown by our Navy Dcparim' nj - this respect
70 an extent never to be found in The navy OF
any other country. This evil l. al once abom-
Unable and disgraccful, and should BE- no longer
tolerated. Our own safety and defence de
pend upon the inventive genius OF our people,
and onY discoverie. and improvements In naval
and military warfare should be securely pro-
tcc,ed Prussia keeps tho secret 81 her de-
s,ructive needle gun TO herself up TO this day,
although II i an invention Of many years ago.
Why should 90, our government in like man