The New York herald., 1870-06-06
Tennessee Threatened With An
other Reconstruction.
Letter from Governor Geary on the De-
cline Of American Commerce.
Reorganization OF the Reve-
nue. Marine.
WASHINGTON, June s, 1870.

poscu concernnH the state Oh tennessee. Repre-
sentatives Maynard and Stokes ana other prominent
gentlemen who are opposed to the present condition
Of affairs ask that Congress pass q law declaring
that the Legislature Is an illegal body as Qhey
claim) the majority Of its members were elected
against the provisions OF the constitution blanks
with signatures having been circulated by wholesale
and filled with names OF persons who were excluded
from voting by reason OF their connection with the
rebellion. 1t does not seem probable, however that
Congress Will have time to definitely act upon the
subject In view OF the pressure OF other business.
Letter from Governor Geary to Admiral
Porter ON tho Decline Of American Com.
merce.
Governor Geary has addressed the following letter
to Vice Admiral P0rter:-
HARRISBURG, Pa, May 81, 1870.
MY DEAR SR-Having, with much satisfaction,
read your letter OF the 18th inst to Hon. James ).
Negley on the subject OF recovering our lost COM
which we'll organized steamship service IL capable
or giving when properly directed between maratime
nations ,,;a take great pleasure IN expressing my
honor and prosperity OF our nation.
A most important crisis has arrived in the history
OF the commerce OF the United States which demands
action on the part OF the government as prompt as
It should be energetic. In the suggestions which
have been male and the views expressed
policy, 1t Is to be hoped that motives
will NOS be perverted nor objects misconstrued.
acuated only by sincere desire to subserve public
interests and TO effect the greatest possible good OF
that country which every true American proudly
calls his own. the guardians OF all ou. great nil-
uOnal Interests should not permit themselves to be
lulled into lalse security by cnnningy devised pro-
fessons, not only upon this question: but upon all
other measures which have secured to US "a country
uneXampled in every branch OF our varied interests
our manufactures, our agriculture, and our COM
merce-measures which are coeva with the spirit Of
our institutions
There are missions and destines for nations as we'll
tS I
trust that Of peace; its destiny that OF elevatng the
human race BY spreading happiness broadly within
the reach OF the vast working masses For this
commerce Is the great means. When 10 il
active, industry thrives; then we see the smiling
ney as But near We 1no happy s yGices ssy OF na
and active hands earn not their full rewards; the
workingmen seek vainly for employment; detection
takes the place OF happiness, ana the nation Is
checked In Its onward course. Such IL the present
condition OF our country. 1t caused the rebellion.
Minds and hearts like yours conquered that but five
years have passed since then, and stil the deepest
injury remains-remains while all that Is required
for It's spread around us In profuslon by
b0untfui Providence, and we have stood idle to the
USE You nave shown that while we were in the
struggle 10 sustain free institutions and elevate hu
land put form her energies. covered the
ocean with iron steamers, not only for
German and other Communities to san our fd, fonnda,.
tions and bansh our commerce. that by her protect
ing navigation Jaws she Is taking from us even
hardy seatnen; that we still suplneiy look on and
hope but do not act. W0rthily has your coaborer in
the cause Hon. Mr. Negey borne his part and the
compliments you pay hm are justly his due The de-
prompt and liberal legislative action the part OF
the government and States IN all enterprises which
tend to revive shipbuilding, especially the con-
struction Of large ocean steamers, which lead to
evenly enlargement OF our commerce and naval
chance to be even with England once more,
and viii be willing To lose little to catch
sea 's' ps its comerca and s
naval or aggressive force;' that "we can
never hope for settlement or the Alabama claims,
and have ruined merchants paid for their losses,
but we can take our satisfaction in driving British
commerce from the ocean In a more lie egttimate and
honorable manner than she drove 0nrs;'' that .the
present generation should not he taxed to pay on
the entire debt, but portion be left those To
whom we bequeath the rich inheritance obtained by
shedding our blood for their happiness and pros
perity and that now part OF the means taken from
by these taxes should be applied to restoring our
commerce, that our burdens may be lighter ana the
Inheritance of larger value have in them not only
the inspiration OF WISDOM but also the true ring OF
that maniinesS which belonged TO the good Old time
In which patriotism was born
Let your advice be followed; it Is that OF Roman
experience IN using our adversarles' 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 can compete
with those OF Great Britain. Let these be estab-
lished by government and in the manner pointed
out to me III January last In letter tcopy OF which
enclose) by Mr.. Ambrose w. Thompson, one of the
and OF whom nearly twenty years ago
the Legislature of Pennsylvania voluntarily
and unanimously passed 49,, resolutions declar;
practical skill we were Indebted for the most sue
cessful ocean steamers aioat" | repeat let your
advice be followed, commencing at the point Of con-
structng swift iron Steamers suited TO the pursuits
OF peace but Ht for ana you VIII drive Off
opponents-"more honorably han they drove our
commerce from the oceann We have the best OF
iron and COAL favorable locations for building yards,
able minds, willing hands-with these facilities for
building and with the requisite aid to launch forth
enterprise viii come irOn ships Of our own as
superior TO those OF England as were our wooden
ones TO hers before those OF iron advanced beyond
both; and with these viii that satisfaction OF
which you speak and which we shall all SO well
appreciate.
noble work 10 success and you VIII cause employ
ment to be given to The working men, now shown
by reliable data to be 500 600 in numbers who are
destitute Of work mainly because the cessation OF
our foreign commerce has stagnated nearly every
branch OF home industry. Their thanks the heart.
feeling thanks OF their almost starving wives and
little ones and the lasting gratitude of your country
men will be your reward.
You, sir having 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 couniry's
need called you to the front Of danger In the trial OF
battles waged for her safety, you made the name
your sire had left you still more lllustrous by deeds
OF your own; adding still further TO these, you now
return to the efforts which peace permits to segen
crate our commerce.
My thanks freely offer for what you have DONE
II has been much, but l believe you will do more;
ana hope long to your directing ability at the
head OF that department OF government OF which
an officer you have been distinguished for gallant
services. have the honor to be. yours respectfully
JOHN w. GEARY.
DAVID D. PORTER, Vice Admiral U. s. Navy.
Reconstruction Of the Revenue Marine.
The Secretary OF the Treasury has communicated
to the Senate copy of the report Of the special COM
mission appointed to "conslder and report upon the
character of vessels best adapted for the revenue
marine service, together with such views and con-
cusons upon other matters as might appear to them
calculated to advance the interests OF the servicen
They propose that the vessels be classified as fol-
lows-First class steamers to be $50 tons, second
class to be $50 tons third class steamers to
be l50 tons and under. Schooners Of $50 tons and