Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1870-09-16
SrupID.-At the breaking out of the re-


SrUpID.-At the breaking out of the re-
bellion it will be remembered that Ameri-
can ship owners, fearing for the safety OF
their property, disposed of it to foreign
buyers, and ceased to build for themselves
until our commercial maritime was lett at
the close of the war, the most insignificant
of any on the face of the earth. This was
natural, and nothing more than might be
expected. But when the war was over, 1t
was expected and hoped that our COM
merce would spring to life afresh, our flag
be borne to every port and our enterprise
upon the ocean expanded again, at least TO
its original proud proportions. 10 the
amusement as well as surprise OF the
world it has done no such thing. Five
wears have elapsed since peace spread her
wings over our troubled lard, and little
inland Switzerland is hardly less formida-
BILE on the ocean than is this great country,
which, not without good reason, once as
pired to the sceptre Of the seas. And the
reason for this state of things is charge
able mainly to the stupidity of our legisla-
tors. The tariff on iron, and many other
things, necessary for ship building, is kept
at such high rate as to prohibit their i'm
portation and compel the use of only ma
tive articles, which, being controlled by
monopolies, are beyond reach for probable
investment. They refuse to listen to the
wants of the country, but are controlled by
the monopolies of the east. Again an ex-
traordinary opportunity occurred for us to
regain our lost prestige on the ocean, and
to build ourselves up as maritime power
again. A war broke out in Europe and
we had the same opportunity of buying
cheaply our own lost shipping and that of
Europe besides. Our country was SO stu
ated, and our government SO placed, that
property on the seas would be safer and
sail freer under protection of the Ameri-
can flag, than under any other flag in chris
tendon. Gen. Grant Immediately saw
this, took the whole situation in at glance
and as Congress was on the point of ad
journing, sent message to Congress urg
ing them to remain in session few hours
longer to pass an act repeating the ruinous
registry law and allowing free trade in
ships, which is now strictly prohibited
because he saw that this was an opportu
nifty to regain our lost shipping, and get il
from others when they were in the same
fix as we were when we parted with it
Gen. Grcnt saw that free trade in ships
would make every man, every trade ant
every industry fourishing and prosperous
1t would have given the Germans chanc,
to preserve their property by covering i
with the American flag, and our commerc,
would not have so completely languishet
as it now must. The message was read
and at once the rings in the lobby rushed
in and killed it. Both houses hurriedly
adjourned without taking any action in the
matter England, however, has profted
by 1t and the whole civilized globe has
laughed at the imbecility of our statesmen
on question Of such vital importance to
the great commercial interests of the coun-
try.
:" The Republican party are responsible
for this. Their representatives could have
changed the whole current if they had
been so disposed, and if they wish to save
themselves from the disgrace which is fast
following in the track iof such stupidity,
Its leaders will, without hesitation, set this
matter right at the next session of Con-
gress. The people demand it; the mer-
camille interests Of the country demand it.
and highly commendable as have been
many of tho acts of this party since it
came into power, even these will not be
sufficient to cover up such gross blunder
as it is responsible for in their treatment
OF such an important question. Let them
in the name of the people, in the name of
all the good thcy.have done in the past. and
by their hopes of future success, rally, and
in spite of the frowns Of monopolists, Of the
lobby or any other powers that threaten, do
the right thing in this matter. They will
have the opportunity to undo at least por-
ton of the mischief. Their friends expect
it of them, and their bitter enemies hope
they will let it rest just where it Is, as they
want no better subject to talk about than
this will furnish in the next political cam.
paign. Which will they serve, their
friends or enemies? We shall see."
nsss~ The time for the County Conven-
ton to nominate candidates for county Of
70, III Oh