The Portland daily press., 1870-05-09
ons Of the East. This commerce is direct

lions Of the East. This commerce is direct
and natural, untaxed, unobstructed and un-
obstructible; equally adapted to the use OF
sail or OF steam vessels-pecuiarly favorable
to sail vessels on account of the trade winds
and ocean currents, which by the change of
ten to fifteen degrees of latitude can be made
favorable, either on the outward or homeward
voyage. The navigation of the Red sea is dis.
ficult and dangerous to sail vessels. All YES
sells passing by this route are subject to tax,
and the passage OF the canal is liable to OBJ
structiOn in case of European war. The
advantages have referred to will. if appre-
ciated and appropriated by us, give us the
control OF the Pacific. 1t was said by one of
the most sagaciGuS statesmen of England
that
"The ma ion which controlled the commerce OF the
world controlled The wealth of the world, and
Though it The world itse1 3"
believe it may be as truly said that the
nation which controls the commerce of the
Pacific controls the commerce of the world,
and thereby controls the world itself.
know it may be said that water carriage is
so much cheaper than land carriage that the
commerce of the Pacific for this continent
will seek the route via the Suez canal to New
York and so it will for the trade that is nat
uralIy to be distributed from that port. But
the question is, how far inland west can New
York distribute the imports of India in COM
petition with San Francisco and the ports in
Oregon? Certainly not west of the east line
of Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota;
probably not so far West; leaving all that vast
territory between those points and the Pacific
directly interested in and connected with the
commerce of that coast. Well may the Leg
islature of California instruct her Senators
and request her representatives in Congress
to supportsthe bills for the revival of Ameri-
can commerce, and well may San Francisco
send III her petition with the names of five
thousand of her enterprising citizens pressing
the same request.
Look now at still another of the worlds
great routes of commerce that is to be, that
which is to be made by cutting the isthmus
which connects South and North America
and separates the Gulf Of Mexico from the
waters Of the Pacific ocean. The construc-
ton of a ship canal across the Isthmus would
be of immense advantage to the whole COM
merce OF the country, but particularly to the
ports on the Gulf of Mexico and the rivers
which empty into it, bringing them into d.
rect communication with the Indies, while
the carrying trade of the world which goes by
these Gulf States. The opening of this route
would work counter revolution in favor of
sail vessels, as by change of few degrees of
latitude the winds and currents favor both
ways. The advantages which sail vessels
would have by the opening OF this new route
may be seen by. slancing at any chart
upon which the trade winds and ocean cur
rents are indicated.
With canal across the fsthmus vessel
could sail from any port on the Gulf of Mex
leo via the West Indies to the Philippine
Islands, Canton, Hong Kong, Shanghai, to
ports IN Japan. back via San Francisco down
tire coast Of California, Mexico, Yucatan, and
Honduras to her port OF departure, making
the round voyage in about the same time that
a steamer would take to make the voyage via
the ouez canal from Liverpool 10 Japan,
touching at same ports of the eastern CONT
nent. On this route sail vessels, whether
from the United States or Europe, would
have the Advantage in competition with steam
ers. With this ne communication open the
the Ohio, and the Alabama
would rival the Clyde, the Tyne, and the Tees
in ship-building, and the ports Of the Gulf
States would come to possess mercantile |
marine far exceeding that now possessed by |
the northern and eastern Atlantic States.
Thus it is seen that the internal commerce |
Of the country which has been developed at
such immense cost to the nation is to be con |
nected with an ocean commerce, the magni- |
Jude of which can scarcely be conceived OF.
The question for us to settle is whether we
shall have such share of this ocean commerce |
as our commanding position entities us to, or
pursuing Chinese policy surrender all to for
eign nations.
The rapid settlement of tue Pacific coast,
the development of the untold mineral and |
agricultural resources of the great and fertile |
Territories of the West. the reestablishment OF
civil governments, and the reorganization OF
the labor and the revival of the Industries of
the Sonth, the breaking down of the barriers |
which for ages have Obstructed intercourse
with the people of the rich and populous coun-
tries of Asia, the dissemination of American
md European ideas and civilizations in those |
countries, the opening of new and shorter
channels of communication between the great
oceans of the world, are all harbingers OF the |
lawn of an era Of the most remarkable COM
nercal activity the world has ever known. |
But in this commercial prosperity, American
ness Is q sT pars NJ,
some of the wisdom and craftsmanship OF the |
fathers of the Republic in regard to this great
interest, place it under the fostering care OF
The Government. No revival of the CONNER
,ial business of the world, however great, can |
lid to restore or revive the ocean tonnage OF
he United States unless we place IL IN |
condition to compete for that business upon
equal terms with the tonnage of other nations,
~ such aid as other Governments extend to
heir merchant marine. If more ships are
wanted, as they inevitably will be, the yards
hat built the vessels which lighted the Allan
lie and Pacific with the burning hulls of
American ships will furnish item, while the
grass will be allowed to grow in the yards in
which were built those specimens Of naval
architecture which were once the pride of
every American citizen.
rejoice. sir, that amid the strife and con-
aicts of partisan warfare which aeitate the
country we can find one great national ques-
lion upon which men of all parties can unite;
\ question not partisan. but American in the |
broadcast sense a question which concerns our
our safety, our national pride, and
our national honor.