Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-09-10
SH1PBU lL NG-REPUBLICAN POL
10Y

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During the democratic rebellion the
large amount of 919. 44G tons of American
shipping was destroyed by the rebel cruis-
ers or transferred to other flags. Like the
war debt upon the country, this great loss
lis chargea5le to the democratic party
British cunning, wealth, and influence
supplemented the efforts of Semmes and
other rebel pirates, and our commerce
was crippled and our flag nearly driven
from the ocean.
The work of restoration of shipbuilding
and the recovery of our lost carrying
trade, was Immediately pressed upon the
attention of Congress after the close OF
hostilities. The republican delegation
from Maine enlisted heartily in behalf of
a cause which so much interested their
constituents. But there were serious diff
culties in the way. We were obliged to
tax imports heavily and raise a large sum
by internal taxation in order to meet the
large annual expenditures occasioned by
the war. Our shipbuildcrs were therefore
unable by the taxation they had to endure
to compete with foreign builders, who
used every effort to get and keep control
of our markets, while foreign vessels stole
away our carrying trade.
Under these difficult circumstances the
Maine delegation, of whom Speaker Blaine
was one, urged upon Congress the neces
sity of relieving our shipbuilders from the
duties upon materials entering into the
construction of vessels 1t was heavy
job to undertake, for many industries were
at the same time asking relief and the
western States were long time in
being brought to see that shipbuilding
should be especially favored by the remit
lance of duties At last, however, the
persistence with which the work was pros
ecuted and the influe ntial character of the
Maine delegation achieved success.
Duties were RENTED and the hands of
shipbuilders unshackled. Our shipyards
again have become alive with workmen.
Our flag is regaining its place upon the
ocean, Not only have the builders of
wooden vessels returned to their former
business. but iron vessels of American
make, rivaling the productions of the
Clyde in size, beauty of model and COM
pleteness of workmanship, are going
abroad to compete with the ocean steam
ers of England, France and Germany in
the commerce of the world.
What brings this subject particularly to
public attention at the present time is the
appearance in New England waters the
other day of the splendid new steamer,
the City of Peking, of $500 tons, recently
built on the Delaware by John Roach &
Sons, and owned by the Pacific Mail
tStcamship Company. The Boston Adver
tiser speaks of her as "the largest steam
"ship that ever entered Boston harbor,
land the largest steamship ever launched
from an American shipyard" The Jour-
MA! considers her building as "signalizing
"the final disappearance of the paralysis
(which has so long rested on American
bodybuilding, now to be restored, we
trust. to the leadership of the world. >
And the Globe says that those who Gin
"spected her in detail should have been
conscious of the fact, if they were not,
'that NO CUSTOMS DUTY WAS PAID
ION A SINGLE ARTICLE ENTERING
INTO HER APPOINTMENTS
Thus is republican policy restoring the
supremacy OF the American flag in the
worlds commerce. And for the success
of this policy the country is largely indebt-
ed to the efforts and Influence of Speaker
Blaine. Shipbuilders of the Third district
remember this on Monday next.
Another fact worth mentioning in this
connexion is, that the copper tax concern
ing which Mr. OBrien made an unwise
and indecent fling at Speaker Blaine, has
so operated to stimulate the production of
American copper, that American vessels
are beginning to be coppcred at home in
preference to sending them abroad, as
was done Tor many years. One of our
largest shipbuilders in the State has re-
Gently coppered or is about to copper a
new vessel at home, and intelligent ship
masters inform us that vessels can be cop
pered at home now as cheaply as abroad
SO much is due to the republican policy
in relation to shipbuilding.