Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-03-24
WASHINGTON.
Presidential message-A Matt onaI
Humiliation.

HUMILIATION
WASHINGTON, March 23.-The following
it the message of the President sent tC
Ncongress to-day in relation TO the decline
o. American commerce
To the Senate and House Of Representatives
In the executive message of Dec. 26,
1868, to Congress, the importance of taking
steps 10 revive our merchant marine COM
merce was urged, and a special message
promised at future day during the present
session recommending more specially plans
to accomplish this result
Now that the committee of the House
of Representatives entrusted with the labor
of ascertaining the cause of the decline of
American commerce have completed their
work, and submitted a report to the legis-
lative branch of the Government, I deem
this a fitting time TO execute that promise.
The very able, calm and exhaustive re-
port of the committee points out the great
wrongs which have produced the decline
in our commerce.
1t is a national humiliation that we are
now compelled to pay from $40, 900, 600 to
$50, 000,0 900 annually, exclusive of passage
money, which we should share with other
nations, to foreigners for doing what should
be done by American owned and American
manned vessels. This is a direct drain
upon the resources of the country of Just
so much money-equal to casting it into
the sea so far as the nation is concerned
A nation Of the vast and ever increasing
interior resources Of the United States,
extending, as it does, from one to the 9th
or of the great oceans of the world, with
an industrious, intelligent and energetic
population, must one day possess its full
share of the commerce of these oceans, no
matter what it costs. Delay viii only in
crease this cost and enhance the difficulty
of attaining the result.
/, therefore, put in an earnest plea for
early action in this matter, In a way to Sc
cure an increase of American commerce.
The advanced period of the year, and the
fact that no contract for snip building will
probably be entered into until this ques-
ton is settled by Congress, and the further
fact, that if there should be much delay,
all the large vessels contracted for this year
will fail of completion before winter sets
in, and will therefore be carried over for
another year, induces me to request your
early consideration of this subject
/ regard it of such grave importance, af-
fecting every interest of the country to so
great an extent, thatany method which will
gain the end will secure a rich, national
distinguishing ships, and navigation,
and utilizing vast capital at home. This
business employs thousands of workmen in
their construction and manning; creates a
home market for products of farm and shop.
It diminishes the balance of trade against
the United States precisely to the extent as
the freight and passage money paid to
American vessels, and gives to the United
States "a
able value IN case of foreign war.
Our navy at the commencement of the
late war consisted of less than 100 vessels,
of about 100, 600 tons, and force of about
5000 men. We drew from the merchant
marine, which had cost the Government
nothing, but which had been source OF
national wealth, 600 vessels, exceeding
1000, 900 tons, and about 10000 men, to
aid in the suppression of the rebellion.
This statement demonstrates the value of
the merchant marine as a means of nation
al defense in time of war.
The committee on the cause of the reduc-
ton of American tonnage after trac-
ing the course Of its decline, submit two
bills which mention its marine power.
Their report shows with great min
uteness the actual and comparative Ameri-
can tonnage at the time of its greatest pros
perity, the actual and comparative decline
since, together with the causes; and exhib-
its other statistics of material interest
in reference to the subject. As the report
is before Congress, l will not recapitulate
any of its statistics, but refer only to the
methods recommended by the committee
TO give back to rs our lost commerce.
As a general rule it can be adopted,
believe, that direct subsidy is less liable
to abuse than an indirect given to the same
enterprise. In this case, however, my
opinion is that the subsidies while they
may be given to specific line of steamers
or other vessels, should not be exclusively
adopted, but in addition TO subsidies in
every desirable lines of ocean traffic
a general assistance should be given in
an effective way and, therefore, l recon-
mend to your favorable consideration the
two bills proposed by the committee and
referred TO in this message.
q. S. GRANT.
Executive Mansion, March %, 1870.
s2,5OO,OO Wanted.
The Commissioner of Internal Revenue,
in reply to a House resolution, expresses
himself in favor of moieties, etc, to in
formers, but thinks Congress should APP
prOpriate say 81, 5000 annually, for use
10y the Commissioner, under the approval
of the Secretary of the Treasury, in the
detection and punishment of persons vio-
lating the revenue laws.
Supervisor Perry reports six illicit dis
tilleries broken up in Wilkes county, North
Carolina, during last month.
Sccrctaryship of the Senate
A caucus of Republican Senators was
held this morning with reference to the
Secretaryship of the Senate, some efforts
having been made TO effect the removal of
the present incumbent This movement
does not, however, involve any question
whatever connected with his official duties
A committee was appointed to examine in
to the subject and report at en- adjourned
meeting.
Distributing Troops in the south.
The question of distributing the army in
fragmentary portions throughout the
Southern States is just now a subject Of
consideration 10y the President and the
Cabinet. The President himself cansee no
beneficial results which could arise from
such policy, and the best indications
point TO The truth that in this respect he is
in agreement with Sherman and Belknap
The call for troops to be sent TO North
Carolina gave decided impetus to the sub
ject of distributing the army among the
peaceable citizens of the States. The ques-
ton agitating the authorities here seems to
be how far the troops can be used, and
whether or not there is any provision in the
laws which will allow the military to be
made subject 10 the authorities of any
State calling for them, as seems to be the
desire of the North Carolina officials. Upon
that there has been considerable discussion
without any definite result The matter
has been referred to the Attorney General
for his opinion, though not in direct Off
cial way, and he will probably deliver an
oral opinion.