The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-08-24
THE CAUSE OF THE DECAY or THE SHIPPING INTEREST
WHAT MUST Be DONE TO REVIVE IT.

To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
Down to the year 1853 the American ship was In
great demand because, being constructed by talent
and controlled by skill. she was constantly i'm
proved, and thus kept the lead the best and best
managed ship in the world, the pride and envy OF
the nations But at this time. for well defined
reasons which we Will not mention, q highly re.
markable decay cOmmenced our ships began
rapidly to decline In value 10 account for 1t IL was
said that steam was supersedng sails During the
war, and for years after, the decay charged
to 1t; when this could longer be done 1t was then
said that iron ships better than wooden ships
and now 1t Is said that what Il needed Is CHEAP
ships The shifting Character OF these pretended
causes proves them to be mere apologies, miserable
subteriuges resorted to to conceal from ourselves
and others the only cause which was and is the
lack Of best and best managed ships. There was q
time when the British ship0wners were greatly dis
tessed because their vessels could not obtain prOt-
able employment! and they petttioned their govern
ment 10 give them RELIEF IRON the then superior
American ship. Their government, instead Of re-
sorting to subteruges sought out the truth, huma-
ting as 1t was, that there was not SO much differ
ence In the snap there In the shipmaster that
the American common school system produced
superior man. TINS was equivalent 10 saving that
the OF ships attributable TO posses.
sion Of greater talents and TO more sktful manage
ment. because we as reemen enjoyed superior iutel
lectual advantages. This truth the shipOWner re-
ceived, and at once Sc; about Improving The talents
and skill OF those that managed their ships and they
dom OF the course pursued. ii we would revive our
shipping interests, If we would also reap rich har.
ves we too must look Illuminating truths the face
and we must receive and be guided by them as men
valuinK their manhood shouid-as true men WILL
Our shipping interests were destroyed by snpown.
ers adopting and pursuing course the direct OppO-
site OF that that was advancing the British shipping
interest SO much. In the year 1858 merchants to
prevent progress, took stand against 1t; they said
the ship was then perfect, anu That she should not
be further improved. former president OF the New
York Chamber Of Commerce and large shipowncr
nj a Ia wnuld ax.yiiI
ing to admit that the American ship was In any re-
spects wrong" TO prevent progress talent and
skill were banished from their management the for
eign element was largely introduced aud wealth and
It's nunkies assumed the control. Since then not an
improvement has been made, and few have dared
to suggest any; newspapers have closed their col
uns to every attempt Oi the kind, and shipbude rs
and rcgers nave been especially careful to build
and rig the few vessels constructed old fogy prln.
clples. Under the operation or this retrospective
system our ships soon lost their prestige, because
they no longer deserved it, and there being no pro-
fIable employment for them, they died q suicidal
deatn. These facts are well known to all connected
with the merchant marine during these years, and
they should be known 10 all who desire the revival
OF The shipping interests as the true the actual the
only SUFFICIENT cause OF It's decay.
h ShpOwners now, being perfectly aware that the
British have better and better managed ships than
can be constructed or managed IN TINS country un-
eminent for tree ships, or to allow them the priv-
lege or buying cheap ships. What they need is best
ships; but the word cheap is used as blind to cover
thing Ships thus obtained would be dear at any
price. We call this free country. where every man
enjoys freedom Of speech and action yet In ali these
years talent and skill have been gagged, and
bound hand and foot, rendered spcecaess and
helpless to prevent the ruthless destruction
OF this great bulwark OF the naton-to
prevent the destruction OF great interests
and tue deep humiliation OF the people by the unwise
course pursued BY lew merchants ana their aders
and abetors. AS every man has some conception OF
the EVIL wrought and the stability and perpetuity
Of the nation depend the wisdom OF It's citizens
their right action IN this Important matter, the
question comes home to every lover OF freedom and
true intellectual advancement whether. In view OF
the great evils wrought, 1t is best to shut out the
talent skill ana ability OF our people to construct
cheaper and better ships in our own land than the
foreigner knows anything about; whether 1t Is best
to believe fasehoOd, and nand over and resign TINS
pillar of the State, and our manhood too into the
hands of foreigners whether would not he bet
ter to 90 back to first principles, to become again
progressive maritime people, and again relnstate
talent into Its right place as successful manager OF
the shipping interests. just as soon az we, as a
people or as individuals. are willing 10 DO this
VIII set our shipyards to work building cheaper and
better ships than eau be procured elsewhere.
All Should remember that freedom, or anything
else worth having. cannot long exist where the intel
lecr is gagged or where dare not iaco Tie truth