The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-06-23
I!llluaa Ispailll
subsidies

Ss,tsss.e 3SIAINE has mace u gEanussstss0o'N
stfafleg IL favor Of sabsidtzsnr Steam s'iles
a. !. .,ias.is OF imparting sfger ana I.fos ..
peg!ts 10 American merchant aa ~ So.
g. IN ;l,s pcople 30 put N oticy IN toe poek-
els Is ss,sp.ownefs. This Y In coololui.s
Mo Il. aciplc al latter DAYS 10 .n's soa,',
tsr, wa,ea has been tolerated until 3peoP'e
49, .oarnets. TO mage deliberate and ma
,tr.s i. lacks u,,os, the trseastryr. aud have
o>fs,nea millions fherefrom for personal
an, carporate advantage to the oppression
81 he ti,x-paycrs Of the country. A !,
We i,appea to be acquainted VIE some OF
49, ant raticns and corrupsions in this line
o;..,glcecdsrg. The great raid upon the
r,eas;,ry through Roach for the purpose OF
in ,.ds ing upon the Government the Dhflnen
os sustaining the Brazilian steamship iine
csme home to or community and Interests.
Tga1 scheme was but q development OF the
character and operation O. all such suosi-
dr.. rssuccess would be a monopoly OF the
cs.rsipg trade by a company and aeamner-
c,a; community 10 the injury OF other COM
mu,it:es and other ship-oSners. Ihls
tended 10 the depression Of energy and en-
1erprise, and would inevitably dwarf. and ~
circumscri6e commerce instead OF encour--
ago ana diGuse the same. Concentrate
freishts in subsidized ships. and competh
tinn IS crippled, occupation and gains are
moaopolized hy a few, and that encourage
mt ut and support OF the many which IS the
diffusion OF good amongst the greatest num-
Der ceases TO be the policy OF the State, IN
oruosition to the Just theory OF all true
craftsmanship.
The substituting Of steamships has led to
GREET evils. and threatens 10 lead to many
more. There are circumstances when
sometimes justify the subsidy. We nave
known them in this country peculiarly.
Waere transcontinental highway is de-
panded by the public interests, which re-
uuire intercourse between two States far
apart, separated by uninbabitcd lands, the
means 10 build the highway cannot be accu-
mu!alcd save by the assistance OF The Gov
ernment-the appropriation OF means raised
by taxation OF the people whose welfare
and possibly safety require the construction
OF the highway. This is case for SUBSIDY.
We have seen it, and we have seen the periis
OF the appropriation even under such q
necessity. But when this mode OF Govern
ment assistance is extended TO the support
OF sbi0-buiding and navigation there is no
limit 70 the corruption to which it leads.
-Ir. BEAlNE's argument Is the same which
ali the subsidy seekers bring forward that
En- gland resorts to subsidies to monopollze
trade, and France is initiating her, and
that other nations are sliding into the habit,
etc. Let them. Ii the United States be-
comes the copyist, she will reap more evil
tban is dreamed Of aShe will be guilty of
paltiality and injustice that Will lead to IN
jury, and discomfort. and commercial dis
tur5ance that will produce plentiful har-
vest Of complaints and disasters. t.-
The energies and industries OF people
should not depend upon the Fictitious as
siStance OF the Government. That pros
per.ty which is secured to part OF the
people through burthens and onerous taxa.
ton imposed upon another cannot result in
the general good and happiness. And the
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Vi VIC p""S' VI oeShi"S ne'P
and bounty from the Government leads not
only to dependence upon Government, but
to corrupt articles to prey upon the treas
ury. This multiplies corruption, impairs
public virtue, aud makes it the custom to
look TO the tricks and frauds OF unscrupn-
1ocs partisans as the chief means OF sue
cess. This is not the way to promote the
yirtues OF civilization and elevate the
morals OF people. On the contrary, it Is
the way to degrade public character, to
make disconnected people, and to impair
public dignity and force. ~. ...,,.. ~.
We trust the United States will not go
further in the subsidy line, let England,
France, &c, do what they may.