Daily Republican., 1881-05-24
nov we lose our Trade.

A few DAYS ago a telegraphlc us
,>otob stated that Roach's Brazilian
steamship line had been WIfhuE'" IL II
not being able 10 support lt'el "'''''o, !,
\ subsidy from the government anu
rpon the heels of this diSpatch comes
+be announcement that our Cahadlan
,eigbbors are making spirited EFFORT
70 extend their foreign trade by estab-
,i.hipg a steamship line to trade with
Rrazil, OF course these Canadian cap
;talists know what they are about when
tbev are takngup the stock Of this new
company. As an American line would
not pay without being subsidized, 1t Is
not likely Canadian line will succeed
any better. However as the Home
British Government has literally sub
s,dized her steamship lines to South
America, her Canadian provinces have
po douht also learned the necessity OF
doing the same thing and consequently
we NAV reasonably expect that TINS
rew BRAZILIAN line will be made the
subiect of liberal protection by our
northern neighbOrs across the border.
Thus is the folly Of our own government
being illustrated, in refusing to grant a
moderate subsidy to our Brazilian line
that has Just been withdrawn, and
which has just been taken mp by the
Canadians and which bya subsidy from
the Government will no doubt be made
a success. Whatever trade had been
established between this country anu
Brazil direct will now be transferred
bodily to Montreal and Quebec, Han
what was squandercd in the Star poSta'
routes would have made our brazilian
line a success. 1t sounds very 1lne u
let every enterprise rest upon It's own pa
sis and prosper by its own thrift ana
energy, but this is not the principle 10y
which success is obtained in private
business The embryo merchant and
manufacturer are dependent upon the
aid of friends, and usually those who art
the most dependent come out lnthe eho
the most successful. Were it not fol
the assistance ofborrowed capital. some
of the largest manufactures Of Whining
ton would not have had all existence
to day, and those who assist seldom
have cause to regret the venture. The
same principle applies in establishing
steamship lines. The interest might
not return to the Government at first,
but it would eventually in the course o.
very few years, and when system OF
trade is firmly established the prin,
cipal would not only come back to the
Government but with it would CONT
such an increase that the revenue O
tbe Government would be materially
enhanced. We are several thouSan'
miles nearer Brazil than Europe, ant
yet by a liberal system of aiding steam
ship lines engaged in trade with Soutl
America, the trade which naturally be
longs to the United States has been di
vcrted into another channel and nov
with our American Brazilian line with
drawn, we virtually surrender tins rlcl
plum to the benefit Of other nations
We cannot help but think that Congress
was short sighted in refusing aid tC
Roach's or any other Brazilian steam
ship line that would have brought lh'
rich trade of undeveIoprd richness t,
our American ports. Congress would
do we'll to cease wTangling over inter
nal politics concerning few Offices an'
mrn its attention towards developing
and fostering our foreign trade.