National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1878-03-23


magnitude and perfection while cur mines
have developed their wealth; while do
nestle trade has put on reasonable degree
Of thrift, and our imports have been large
under demand for foreign productions,
our ocean commerce has languishcd, until
American transport ships bear no consider
able part in the increased and increasing
carrying trade Of the world. This is not
u ilattering nor even neutrality-suspicious. of
our condition but it is nevertheless q
stubborn fact that must be met on the page
of history.
In view of this staring and undcniablc
fact, the causes which have led 10 this de-
plorable condition of our ocean commerce
and the most available remedy therefor
should engage the candid and careful atten-
ton of our Congress, and when found, it
should he promptly applied. We should
select some starting point for competition
with those nations which are enjoying n
supremacy of the ocean trade, and 10 better
or more inviting point is presented to init.
ate this enterprise than the empire of Brazil.
The Emperor cntcrtains strong feelings of
friendship and favor toward the United
States, and has already indicated his kind
disposition by y voluntary tender of aid in
promoting line of trade between the two
governments
Our attention has been called to this sub
iect by reports from the House Committee
on Post Offices and Post Roads, which may
be regarded as favorable to some legislation
in aid of new line of communication be-
tween the United States and Brazil through
the agency of American ships. We have
not at present any direct commercial COM
munication with the Brazilian Empire,
though our imports from that country are
quite large and constantly increasing. The
trade is carried on by foreign ships, and for
this reason alone, while we are large Gus
toner for the products Of Brazil, that peO-
pie use but a very few of the products Of
this country. Our -four finds the largest
market in that country Of any of our pro-
ducts, and that chiefly finds its way there
by sailing ships of slow navigation, and
many of our manufactures are competing
successfully with those of England, Ger
many, and France in their own
markets, owing to their superior
qualities, cheap production, and
great perfection, they arc introduced into
Brazil only in limited quantities, owing to
the fact that the Old World has a direct
commercial relation with that country hy
steamship lines, and holds the monopoly oI
n trade that this country could compete fol
successfully if it only had proper facilities
of communication. This point can Ia
reached only through the establishment o.
steamship lines of first-class vessels of heavy
tonnage between this country and Brazil al
an early day, for that country needs and
will purchase the products of our manufac
tories If placed in competition in its mar
kets. At present this is impossible, for W,
have no regular direct communicatiOn-bu
it is within the line of probability
proper encouragement is given by the Gov
eminent to private enterprise in solving tn,
problem. To accomplish this end no sub
Government that Il shall make q liberia
contract with proposed steamship lines t
Brazil for transporting the mails.
The proposition of Messrs JOIN ROACl
& Son to place line of ships between til
cities of New York and New Orleans am
ment for direct mail communicable