The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-08-22
[From the PRESS of July 21, 1861
Our Merchant Marine.


Mr. EDIToR:-No subject perhaps of a ma
terial character is more vital to the nation and
to Maine at the present time than a considera-
ton of the question who, in the future, is to be
mistress of the seas. For many centuries
this has been question among nations; and
that nation which has succeeded best in this
relation has rarely failed of success in any and
all other The United States, from her geograph-
ical position, her unparalleled water Opportu-
mites, the energy of her citizens, the supply of
her building materials, ETC., seemed from the
outset destined to rival all other people in her
ocean commerce She early learned that she
not only had the opportunity to do it but inter
est lay in the same direction. Inspired with
these convictions and aided by such opportuni-
ties our commerce increased and our ships null
tplied with unparalleled vigor. Until the
breaking out of the late rebellion in this coun-
try we actually rivalled, in amount of tonnage,
in capacity and ability to do, the NEST favored
commercial nations. And, closely, indeed, has
the success of the nation in other respects been
identified with the success of this important
branch of her industry.
The fathers early comprebended the stua-
ton and passed what is known as the naviga-
ton laws prohibiting the Matchmaking of any
vessel not built within onr borders. This was
wise in its time or until our mechanics were
educated and the shipbuilding interests of the
country developed. Subsequently the law
became obsolete, as we could not
only build our own ships cheaper than
anybody else could build them for us, but we
could build cheaper for other nations than they
could build for themselves. This made a de-
mand for our building materials at home, gave
our mechanics employ, stimulated our COM
our sailors for defence upon the ocean; and
when ship was sold gave us gold abroad just
where needed to keep up our balances.
In the midst of this commercial and naviga-
BILE success, so well earned and so legitimately
ours, the rebellion burst upon us. Commercial
nations saw or thought they saw an opportunity
to regain their former comparative superiority
not by increasing their own tonnage, but by
aiding to destroy ours-a leveling do1n1cdrd of
others, rather than upaodrd of self. Belliger-
ent rights were accorded to the South; ships
built in foreign yards and manned by foreign
sailors were sent abroad to prey upon our COM
merce, until one-hdlf fOf our merchant marine was
burned, sunk, or otherwise destroyed. Thus stood
the case at the end of the war. The nation tri-
umphed over the rebellion but outside nations
triaD,pted over our commerce, and how stands
the case? During the conflict the revenue laws of
the country were hastily adjusted TO the present
demands of the hour; and the shipbuilder, in
his attempt to restore the tonnage of the coun-
try, found himself fettered and burdened
from the laying of the keel to the putting in
of the truces And still the disability
continues, and by the copper enactment of the
last session of Congress is becoming more and
more burdensome. Thus while our tonnage has
been destroyed, and, and while England, the
natural enemy of our commerce, is offered ev-
cry facility for construction and sailing ships,
our government continues to increase these
burdens rather than tighten them; as If deter
mined that this right arm of national strength
shall continue to be shortened. And with
crushing weight is this false conception falling
upon some sections of the country Upon our
own State, sparsely populated and with small
valuation, falls nearly one half of all this bur-
den. Still hoping for some relief, anxiou, not
to have their business entirely destroyed, and
feeling the necessity of employing and retain
ing their mechanics at home, the shore towns
of Maine are operating their yards to some eI-
tent. And in this effort, during the present
| year the citizens of Maine must pay million
| of dollars that should be retained in their own
hands if they operated under as favorable laws
| as do the subjects of the British Provinces
| This cannot long be borne. Relief must come
| or the whole enterprise be abandoned 10 Ior-
eigners 10 this end Mr.. Lynch of your dis
| triet an earnest, practical man, having not on
\ ly the honor of the country, but the good OF
| his State at heart last session asked anu secur-
| ed a committee to consider the SUBJECT IN the
| recess, preparatory to . report next session.
Much credit is due Mr.: Lynch, and it is
hoped he will not fail to have his
| committee make an excursion through
New England, coming as lar East as
| buiders and Owners Association will ex-
tend them q formal invitation and it is to be
hoped that Portland and Bath will do the same
| This reminds me of letter of Mr.. L. A. Pike
| now IN EUROPE, recently puDlshed in yOul
| paper That letter is doubtless well meant but
to my mind illustrates the difference between
theoretical and practical men. One days ex
| animation OF one spot on the globe or of one
kind of vessels will hardly suffice for the dats
on which to found broad and comprehensive
plan for restoring and perpetuating American
commerce. Nor is the data we think quite
competent for founding prophecy for tnt
future as to the use of steam sails Pract
cal men have long seen that the demands o.
the hour are and will be requiring some changS
that under certain circumstances ana lo y;
specific kinds of business steam VIII pe sup5.r 5
| tuted for sail and iron for wooden ships. Du
we hardly think the child born that will see th'
last of sailing or wooden shipsl Theorists year
ago ago dreaming in a railroad depot on the bust
ness Of single road prophesI,ed the speedy dis
use of horses; but though railroads have greatl