The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-24

registry to .'all vessels owned wholly by
citizens Of the United States" without re-
gard to where they were built, would set
right grievous evil in the present condi-
ton of our law, and would, in case of war
between England and Russia, by opening
the protection of neutral flag through the
simple process Of a change of ownership IN
vessels, restore to US in great part, II not
wholly, the enormous commerce lost through
English depredations on our trade made
under the Confederate colors. Some section
like the one referred to, or equivalent to 1t
in operation, should assuredly be added
to the statutes in the present session
Of Congress. Were Congress to adjourn
without action on this important point it
would Justly be chargeable with most
mischieyous indifference to the welfare OF
the country in one OF it's great interests, or
with obstinate adhesion to an exploded
error at a moment when the correction OF
the error would be Of incalculable profit to
the country and the people. Indeed, it
would be crime against the nation not to
make this change in the law at the present
moment Recovery Of our commerce through
England's calamity would be our revenge
Tor the harm done us in the civil war. 1t
would satisfy in full that deep sense Of I'M
redressed wrong which inspired the famous
indirect claims" of the great Geneva liti-
CATION. And the national Legislature that
fails to afford favorable conditions for that
restoration Of the lost equilibrium will be
Justly regarded as an adherent to the
enemy's cause.
Our crippled condition in the commerce
of the world, though not entirely due to the
errors of our legislation, can only be rem
edied by change in our laws. With the
marine that we possessed before the war,
and with the shipbuilding trades in the
state in which they could be exercised in
present circumstances, the laws as they are
might be we'll enough. At least, while not
liberal toward commerce. they would be
fairly just toward the people at large in
some respects to which nation can never
be indifferent. Their limitations Of the
rights OF merchants would be oppressive in
a small degree only, while they would guard
our proficiency in naval architecture. But
normal conditions, and that for small linn
itatons in the rights Of certain indi-
viduals would guarantee the nation in
subject of the greatest concern to it's well
fare and glory, are now effective in circum-
stances so different from those in which
they were made and in which it was pre-
sumed they would always apply that their
action is inverted. Instead OF limiting the
rights Of certain individuals and trades in
the interest Of the nation they limit the
nation in the interest of certain individuals
and trades. Not even the friends Of pro-
lection pretend to justify or defend protec-
tive legislation, save for its operation in the
cultivation OF industries that employ the
people and that it may be of critical i'm
portance the nation should possess. But
what can they say then for the protection
which destroys absolutely that which it is
presumed and designed to protect? If the
gentle summer rains that make the clover
flowers "get up and reach out for humble
bees" were dcluges of fire they could not
more thoroughly make the fields waste and
barren than prohibition of the importation
Of ships has destroyed the art of shipbuild-
ing in this country.
An American can endure to see the
country without ships. In fact, ali the
Americans have endured it great while.
But there is not man of the nation pos
sessed of the national pride, which is GER
tainly never deficient, who would not re-
gard it as personal misfortune to be COM
PEELED to recognize that an admirable pro-
ticiency if not supremacy in the construc-
ton of ships had passed from US to other
nations that are, and are to continue, our
rivals on the sea. Shipbuilding is an art
about which the traditions, experiences
and tastes of our people are especially
clustered. Our famous successes in this
art are the most treasured in popular es-
teen of our national glories. From grace
full yachts to magnificent men-oi-war
scarcely less graceful; from the stanch, fast
sailing China packets 10 the sturdy mont
tors, we have built them all better than others
have done or than others can. 1t has not
been n supremacy in one attribute at the
expense Of others. Where can the America,
the Niagara, the Dresdnaught and the Moni-
tor be matched in the constructive genius
OF any one nation? As Alexander boosted
that there were no kinds of weapons used
in war with which he had not been wounded,
so we may fairly declare that there are no
kinds of ships built, no kinds of successes
to be gained in naval structures, with
which we have not hurt the vanity OF rivals
and opponents. But where are the ships
with which a people so ingenious and so
skilful might have covered every ocean
Let the people ask this of the Congresses
which make occasional excursions in body
to some ones shipyards to witness that rare
event-the launch of an American ship.
Let them inquire Of the legislators who, to
protect American ships have destroyed
American commerce.