National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-04-26

1
fully recorded But the war of 1872 did not teach
merely by any one example, the lesson of duty al
home, or of respect abroad. The Essex has q two
| fold right to mention ON an occasion like this
She was the training ship Of Farraguts YOUTH and
| commanded by David Porter; but the whole line
| of naval warfare on the American side in the wal
\ of1S12 was
| BLAZE OF NATIONAL GLORY
| The very air was redolent of the fame Of Ameri-
can men-of-war, and sailors rights have never
since been invaded on their decks. The highest
| value of war TO civilized governments does not
consist in mere physical conquest, in the acquis-
ton of territory the spolaton of cities, the ae-
emulation of wealth from the enemy, or the col
| lection OF an indemnifying war debt from the
vanquished The nation which makes war, ex-
cept in defense of its existence for the protec-
tiOn of its honor, in the person and rights OF It's
citizens, organizes murder and robbery. The war,
| however, which was declared on the 18th
day of June, 1872, by the United States against
Great Britain, was upheld by causes as sacred as
ever inspired men in battle; and the results
which it accomplished were more precious to
the American name than the treasures of the
world or the subjugation of kingdoms. The
history of this country in its relations with Great
Britain during the first twelve years OF the present
century even now cannot be dwelt upon by an
American without feelings of wounded honor and
burning resentment. 1t is obvious at glance
that the young Republic was not welcome among
the monarchies of Europe, and that she was to be
brow beaten and insulted, especially by the
English government. The interests of the Ameri-
can people all lay in the direction of peace; at
home they were rapidly developing those great
industries which insure nations progress, while
as early as 1907 they had built up foreign trade
which employed T00,0 900 tons of American shipping
alone. They were tasting the sweets of the first
period of prosperity after the revolution, and they
DID NOT WANT WAR.
Their forbearance was great and endured too long.
American commerce was made the sport of block
ades maritime DEGREES, orders in council, and the
construction of belligerent rights; the right to
seize and search American ships was enforced with
shot and shell in American waters; native-born
American seamen were dragged from beneath their
cpuntrys flag and impressed into the British SER
vice. until it is relief, and the student of history
exults in his heart, when he reaches the point at
which the Congress of the United States threw
down the gage of battle. At that time the English
navy consisted of nearly eight hundred efficient
war vessels in active service; the American navy
consisted of seventeen; and yet we emerged
from that war a new power in the eyes OF the
world and more indebted for our national prestige
to triumphs upon the ocean than to victories on
the land. May not be pardoned for saying that
the respect of the world for foreign policy rests
not so much on the arts of diplomacy as upon the
heroism of the navy; not SO much on the dis
patches of ministers Of state upon bulletins an
nouncing the prowess of American valor at sea;
not so much upon the records of the State Depart
ment as upon those which are fled in the Depart
ment to which naval warfare belongs. 1t has long
been said that actions speak louder than words,
and it is equally true that their memory is more
respected and more enduring. The work per-
formed by the
GUNS OF THE CONSTITUTION,
the United States, the Essex, the Enterprise, the
Hornet, the Wasp and other American ships will
be remembered longer and with more salutary
consideration by foreign cabinets than any diplO-
matte communications ever received by them from
this Government. When the colors of England
were pulled down under American fire on the
Macedonian, the Guerriere, the Frolic, the Java,
the Peacock, the Boxer, and numerous other ships
of war, the supposed invincibility of the British
navy was broken forever, and the American char
acter became at once established and respected in
every sea, and on every shore. The victories of
Perry and McDonough on the lakes taught the ma
tions of the earth lesson of respect and justice
toward the United States, more powerful than
was ever conveyed by circular or diplomatic
note from the haughtieSt power in history to its
weaker neighbors. And for nearly fifty years
after the close of the war of 1872 the reputation of
these achievements and the character of the
American marine for prompt action and unquail-
ing courage made the American flag a symbol of
honor and the person of an American citl-
zen secure in every civilized quarter of the
globe The force of the Hulseman letter i'll
1858, stating the great doctrines of American
was due far more TO the guns of the
st. Louis and the high daring of Captain In
graham in the Mediterranean than to the pow
erful logic and the caustic satire of Secretary
Marcy. The storming of the Canton barrier
forts in the Chinese waters in 1856, with but three
ships and an assaulting party of go men, awakened
that old and distant empire to her international
duties after all other means had failed. We are
told that all these forts were constructed by Eu-
ropean engineers with granite walls seven feet in
and mounted 16S guns" and were de-
Tended by 5000 men. 1t is added that " their
capture settled the difficulty with the Chinese, led
to the formation of treaty of amity and COM
merce and has caused the American name to be |
respected by that people" The pirates of the West
Indies, the Malays of Sumatra, and even the can
nibals of the Fejees were all made to know that
A NEW MISTRESS OF THE SEA
was abroad on the waters of the world. In the |
and before the awful era of 1861 had
rived American science had revoiutionzed the |
construction of ships and the modes of naval war
fare. In 1Sn the Princeton was built under the
guidance of EricsSon's genius, and was the first |
that ever hOated with her propelling |
under water and out of reach of an
,nemy's shot. This invention increased the value
If ships in war beyond the reach of estimates
1ut when twenty years later the first monitor, the
offspring of the same genius, glided into Hampton
Roads at the close of disastrous day. saved all the
shipping which was yet afoat, defeated the iron
lrmOred Merrimack, drove her into blockade, and
destruction, the revolution was complete and the
layies of the world were powerless before us,
Until they took time to adopt our methods. When
7arragut, therefore, in January, 1862 went aboard
he Hartford, in command of the Gulf squadron,
he did so in day of light and knowledge in his
and with the eyes of all nations watch
ng the developments and the possibilities of the
american navy. In the beginning of the century
lie had learned the lessons of naval warfare under
he old system of wood and sails, and in the open
ca, but he had kept pace with the spirit ofAmer-
can progress and soon showed that he was master
f the problems of steam and iron and at home in
iver, bay or harbor. He embraced within him
elf all the splendid associations, patriotism, and
ourage of the navy of the past together with
I'LL appreciation of the advancementS of modern
cience. To complete his character as hero, his
ove of country was not merely conviction of
uty, it was that and more-it was the ruling pas
ion of his soul.
HE LOVED THE FLAG
18th all a sailors affection, and his allegiance to
is Government was more deep reverence for
nat power in whose service he had fought, and
hose name and fame had been his joy from child
ood than an ordinary sense of attachment. With
lofty and stern enthusiasm, but without bitter
ess of heart he struck the rebellion its hardest
lows, and gave his name to Immortality in the
sstoration OF the American Union. The eoncep-
on and the execution of Farragut'S expedition up
lie Mississippi River were fatal to the cause of
outhern independence. The power which holds ,
lie mastery of that mighty stream will hold an un-
roken union of States from the lakes to the Gulf
spite of all sectional antagonisms. jefferson
'resaw its necessity to united and prosperous
,untry when in 1903, and under threats ofimpeach-