The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1878-02-06
TIE MERcAA TILE MARINE.


il the port Of Wilmington. N. q. City Sc
ven square rugged vessels. not one q, schich
bore ne Aaserictm Mug; and out Of the two
hundred and one u that class which entered
that port during the year. all but seventeen
we're foreigners. a few coasters. timidly
creeping along the shore, and the steam
packet lines 10 New York and Baltimore
alone kept in memery marine. which
twenty years ago, was 10 full sail to drive
Ill rivals from the ocean. a subsersion 80
complete, ruin so monstrOus, Is enough to
consign To inlamy that school of pseudo
statesmen who shape policy so ruinous 10
tie best interests Of the United States. !
There was time when the iaestimable i'm,
portance Of an american Marine was 50 va
lued that special industries were fostered
By bounties. that race 81 hardy and skill.
ful seamen might always be at hand to push
the yeniurous aims of com,rercinl enter
prise. or. when the e,nblems Of peace gave
place TO the battle Sag, to maintain the hc-
nor Of their country with equal skill and
courage. And while legislation secured By
wise aud patriotic provisions IN abundant
supply of seamep whether for peace or for
war. il was no less proyident in giving such
encouragement and protection As to call in.
to existence and mainiain, for many years.
u class Of merchant ships. in size. beauty pi
model. swiftness. and all those qualities
which invest the more sordid aims Of mari
time life with such irresistible charm. which
have never been equalled in all the annals
Of naval architecture.
II is natural to ask, why has so bene6cent
policy been abandoned. aud why has one
been substituted which so ANONYMOUSLY
clips he wings Of American commerce and
ruakes it tributary TO foreign enterprise
The question will be asked the more impa-
tiently wher il is seen how promptly 70.
reigners have ero6ted by such laueursble
error. Under the cessation Of American
competition, the Insignificant powers Of
Northern Europe have sprung, as under an
encl,=ntment. from the obscurity Of centu-
ries, aud in these modem days people the
seas with another race Of Mortimer, A.
bold in the adventures Of trade as we're
their forefathers 10 armed pursuit Of plum
der. An answer, descretitable both to Wis
dom aud to patriotism i made By the fact
Of onerous dnties imposed upon the mate
rails which enter into the construction OF
,hips. such duties being for the behoo. Of
special favored interests; and in the fact.
that ship ing. left to itself. is without The
natural aid Of government in its competi-
ton With olher nations. who. sagacious
enough TO see the need Of such aid, grant il
TO their own Marine without hesitation OF
stint. ... .~
il,nsy SAVIOR Of hypocrisy that Southern
journalism should take patriotic interest ia
the restoration Of American preeminencs on
the high seas. There was time in the bis
tory Of the Naval Hag when We did have 4
part 10 IL glorious record; when We gave
Cur heroes 70 add to ITS lustre, and whef
We exulied in lis splendid victories. Th'
dark veil Of the past few years cannot sbut
out the imrerisbsble blaze Of historical re.
cord. And as the impress Of that age o
berOism remains unchanged. 50 does the NE
mory Of the time when North Carolina va
20 much identified 10 the eyes u the nation
with maritime affairs IS to exac. the tribut,
Of repeated recognition in CabiDe: bonors
Thrice has she been houored With the DE.
partmeni o. the Navy. The interest engen
dered il the affairs both u the Naval M,
Mercs hiile Marine has still the same NOV
ing causes the same long liue II sea coas
If0ituc 81 tue sAue thhiettsA vi hstSy ee@
men; the same rivers bearing to the port
those zane coveted productions upon wbie
naval architecture i ~ absolutely depen
dent. II i With some Of the old inslinC
which 10 oljeu time attached North Care
lima 10 somewhat iseohgruous alliance sit
naval afEairs fbst gives Us interest to add
voice 10 & common demabd 10 reverse q dil
sstrous policy. We can do 80 with 81
more esrnesiness and sincerity since we Gu
under . new condition of things new oPeI
ings for new energies. new fields for ne
enterprises, fresh impulses for new amb
tions. Why should the South. since i
has ceassd % Be purely agricultural. dri'
along in the same monotonous road Obi
suited our fsihersg Why sail sbe beeol
kned % The same dull channels % trade III
Ied inevitably 10 Northern markets, 70
Glled. 10 bsekssrd current. With just SUI
M