The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-06-06
G. E A II Y.
His ExceIIency discourses About the Decline
of American Shipping-The whole Mystery
rio Irrn

His ExceIIency discourses About the Decline
of American shipping-The whole Mystery
Cleared Up.
Governor Geary has addressed to vice-Ad-
miral Porter letter on the decline of American
commerce, from which we extract the follow
ing-
Having, with much satisfaction, read your letter of
the 18th instant to Hon. James s. Negley the SUBJ
ect of recovering our lost commerce, and restoring
to the country advantages which well-organized
steamship service is capable Of giving when properly
directed between maritime nations, l take great
pleasure in expressing my views upon subject of
such vast importance to the honor and prosperity of
COMMERCIAL CRISIS.
A most important crisis has arrived in the history
Of the commerce OF the United States, which de-
mands action on the part of the Government
tons which have been made and the views expressed
upon so important question Of national policy, it is
to be hoped that motives Will not be perverted nor
objects misconstrued For my own part, can truly
say that am actuated only by a sincere desire to
subserve public interests and to effect the greatest
possible good OF that country which every true
America proudly calls his own. The guardians of
all our great national interests should not permit
themselves to be lulled into false security by cum
Dingly devised professions not only upon this ques
tion, but upon all other measures which have Sc
cured to us q country uneXampled in every branch
Of our varied nerests-our manufactures, our agri-
culture, and our commerce-measures which are
coeval with the spirit of our institutions
MISSIONS AND DESTINIES
There are missions and destines for nations as we'll
as for individuals. The mission OF our nation is,
trust that of peace its destiny that of eleyating the
human race by spreading happiness broadly within
the reach Of the vast working masses. For this,
commerce is the great means. When it is active,
industry trves; then we see the smiling faces, and
hear the happy voices of prosperity. But when it is
STILL busy minds and active hands earn not their
full rewards the workingmen seek vany for en-
ployment; detection takes the place of happiness,
and the nation is checked in its onward course. Such
is the present condition of our country. 1t caused
the rebellion.
WHO CONQUERED THE REBELLION.
Minds and hearts like yours conquered that; but
five years have passed since then and still the
deepest injury notwithstanding while all that is re-
quired for its removal is spread around us in pro-
fusion by bountiful Providence and we have stood
idle to the use.
FOLLOWING ROMAN EXPERIENCE.
Let your advice be followed it is that OF Roman
experience in using our adversares weapons when
they OF better FORMS Let steamships OF iron be
built; commence at the true starting point by
creating iron ship building yards which compete
| blished by Government and in the manner pointed
out to me in January last in letter copy OF which
| enclosel,by Mr. Ambrose w. Thompson, one of the
fathers of ocean steam enterprise in this country,
the Legislature of Pennsylvania voluntarily
| ing "that to his scientific knowledge and
practical skill were indebted for the most sue
cessful ocean steamers ahoat." l repeat let your
advice be followed commencing at the point of con-
structng swift iron steamers, suited to the pursuits
of peace but fit for war, and you VIII drive of our
| opponents-"more honorably than they drove our
commerce from the ocean," We have the best OF
iron and coal, favorable locations for building yards
able minds willing hands-wth these facilities for
building and with the requisite aid to launch forth
enterprise will come iron ships OF our own, supe
rior to those OF England as were our wooden tC
! hers before those of iron advanced beyond both
and with these will come that satisfaction OF which
you speak and which we shall all so well appreciate
| THE MAN WITH NOBLE HERITAGE-NoT GEARY.
| You Sir, having a noble heritage of naval renown
early showed yourself worthy OF it, in the line which
| peace permitted your profession, by advancing com
merce upon the ocean, and, when your country'
need called you to the front of DANGER in the trial
battles waged for her safety, you made the name
your sire had left you still more illustrous by deed
OF your own; adding still further to these, you nov
return to the efforts which peace permits to regene
| rate our commerce.
GEARY THANKS PORTER IN BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE.
My thanks freely offer for what you have done
| 1t has been much, but believe you will do more
and hope long TO see your directing ability at tn
head OF that department of Government OF which a
an officer you have been distinguished for gaan
services. have the honor to be yours, respectfully
JOHN W. GEARY.
David r. Porter, Vice Admiral U. S. Navy.