The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-05-03

II Mr.. RICHARD W. THOMPSON has real
pride in his native land. he will keep the
ships Of our navy at home; for. though SO
costly, they are about a. poor and mean
specimens of naval architecture. such as il
IL now rs there are in the aorld slow
armed with antediluylan gum. and utterly
useless, they provoke the deri-ion IL all
competent judges. In fact. these vessels
are beneath modern naval criticism. The
Turks are ahead Of us. AMI RUSSIA leaves Us
far behind in the matter Of navy.
Most Of the money drawn from the Treas
nry ON account Of our navy for new con-
structions since the war has been either
STOLEN or wasted What has been produced
Is i'll adapted to the times, and Of no prac-
teal use. except TO carry officers around
On yachting excursions in the Mediterranean
and elsewhere. TO the business of naval
construction We have set men totally in
competent to perform the work, men
brought up in the routine of wooden ship
building, and whose scientific knowledge
begins and ends with the adze aud broad
axe. Staggering under the weight of mar
tial decorations they take on such airs that
Mr. THOMPSON, accustomed only 10 canal
boat navigation, and 10 plain members OF
Congress in sober dress, may stand in awe Of
their profound ability and superior conse-
quence. The Secretary and these lawgivers
think the capacity of these birds of gay
plumage is as great as their pretensions :;
and If that was the fact, it would Doe almost
eupcrhuman.
Really, however those officers are igno-
rant, obstinate, and, a. matter Of course,
opinionated to the last degree. Here we
have an explanation If the wrctched con-
dlton Of the navy, and the great waste Of
public money on utterly worthless construc-
tons. If he will allow u 10 do So We will
6uggost 10 the Indiana mariner that he read
some elementary works on modern naval
architecture, and undertake. to form some
accurateidoa as To what this nation really
needs IN the way Of naval defcnccs. once
he does this, he will find the study not drs-
ttute Of interest by any MEANS but fun Of
suggestivcncs-, and worthy the pursuit Of
the most active mind. Ii Mr.. THOMPSON
Will take our advice, We donot doubt that he
and The Sun will come into substantial
agreement on this subject, and unite in
thinking that any naval constructions built
by Us with u view Of making a show in
European waters are foolish as well as USE
less.
Multiply the ships Of our navy, and the
only thing they can do will be TO furnish
fagstalls for the Stars and Stripes in foreign
halbors; seeing which, rich American travel
lers will get new glow Of patriotism, and
as they listen to the strains Of Yankee
Doodle" played on the decks by pretty
poor band of iniprovi-od musicians theiI
hearts will swell with pride, and they will
invite the Admiral and his stan 10 dinner, a
courtesy which in due time will be rcturncc
By a hop on the quarter deck Of one Of thes,
remarkable specimens OF naval construction
Meanwhile the foreign nations will be in
iromor Of alarm lest they become cmbroilcC
IN war with a nation which can put al0a
such fearful engines Of destruction as th'
eight steam sloops, which cost about three
millions and the wooden frIgate Franklin
L. say uYthingof Admiral PORTEB's torpedo
Don't. which will steam eight knots, turn oI
49,. Keel stand ON her head, and discharge
tolpcdoos in every direction as iretlul por
Cll me sends out its irritating quilts
" advise Mr. THOMPSON instead of build
Ing ncw ships to devote his unquc-tlone'
energies to iorreting out the frauds of hi
Hstute predecessor, SEcoR robson, wiz
succeeded IN hiding more loot than any MAJ
Of his time.