Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-04-25

home But here, on the branch of this superb
river, you have taken the lead, and | wish the
whole American people could see what you have
done against all hindrances and disbursements
wish that they could all know TIA at on the banks
of the Delaware there are four great ship Yards
fitted in all respects for the construction of iron
steamers, and that the yard now in sight of us is
perhaps, more complete IN all Its appointments
than in any yard to oe found in Great Britain.
wish the whole American people could know and
realize that during these la, five terrible wears of
depression and distress. when so many good and
honest men have scarcely known where to turn
Tor bread, the proprietor of this ward has eNpend
ed in his business nearly $4,000 600 and that
over Sli,0O0,000 Of II have gone L. American
workmen wages for their honest labor. Ifthat
man is to be honored who causes two blades of
grass to grow where only one grew before, what
shall we say of him whose dauntess energy has
enabled him 10 the darkest period of our fnan-
cial distress to drive forward an enterprise that
dlsburses So 600 600 per annum among the labor
ers of America and who has IN ade thousands of
homes smile with happiness and with plenty that
but for him might have been pinched with want
and misery.
RIVALRY Win FOREIGN NATIONS.
II our country were for few persistent years OF
ike mind with Great Britain and France on this
great commercial question, you would find all over
the land great ship yards springing up to supply
the demand for the steam marine of America
When we had fair chance and equal terms our
sailing vessels gained on Great Britain, until for
the last 10 years before the outbreak of the rebel
lion, were abreast if not ahead Of her in aggre
gate tonnage; and on equal footing we would
speedily do the same in our steam marine But
with England snd France aiding their lines with
mail contracts to drive other lines from the sea it
is idle for us to entr the race. A very small
amount, comparatively, would enable US to be-
come the ylctors in the struggle for ocean suprem-
acv. What 1t costs Us TO support two regiments
of cavalry in the regular Army or TO maintain
five large men-of-war afoat IN the Navy, would
give us lines of hr.t-class American steamships to
foreign ports from at least six of our principal
commercial cities, Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf
We stand in the position to be the first commerc al
nation IN the world Alone of all the great pow
era we have vast frontage the two oceans
whose waters bound all the continents and float
the commerce that civilizes and euriches the
world Oar coast line /. longer than that which
borders Europe; our harbors are more numerous
and more capsCious than those of all our maritime
rivals combined Nature has given Us the posi-
ton and power to lead the commercial world
Shall we use our opportunity or abandon the field
To those who have not 1.-THE of our advantages !?
II we can only regain the proportion of our com
merCe which we held in 1856, the profit to our
people will be more than hundred millions per
aunum. Shall we 90 forward or shall we continue
to retreat