National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-03-13
Why This Government Needs a Good Navy
in Times Of Peace.
England's Powerful Navy a Standing
Menace to Our Defenseess Coast.
Wherein Congressional Legislation Is Disastrous 10
Our Maritime Interests.
The Result a Free ship Bill Would Pro-
duce In Our Private shipyards.
10 NE EiiLor.

The question is sometimes asked, both by
word Of mouth and by the newspapers: What
does the navy do2 What is the use OF tho
navy in times of peace?
The navy is tho police Of the sens; as much
90 as policemen are the guardians Of safety
and order in tho cities. Wherever there are
American interests and American residents
abroad, there should be American men-of-
war to show themselves occasionally, and
American merchants, ministers, aud consuls
should know at all times where an American
} man. of-war could be found.
An account of a few instances will illustrate:
In the spring Of 1858 the United States
steamer Fulton, mounting six guns, was
cruising in the West Indies. Information
reached the commander that a revolution had
broken out at Tampico; that the town was
besieged and that American merchant vessels
were detained In the river. The Fulton pro-
ceeded with all dispatch to Tampico, and
found affairs as had been reported.
Tampico is situated six miles up the river
of that name. The revolutionary and be-
seiging party was within three miles of the
city, aud had established n custom house at
tho mouth Of the river. Five American
merchant vessels were in the river ut the
time. They had paid the necessary custom
house dues at Tampico, and started down the
river to proceed to sea. Upon approaching
the mouth of the river they wero directed to
anchor until they had paid additional custom
house dues. To this, of course, tho Ameri-
can captains positively refused, as they had
already paid the necessary legal dues. Con-
sequently the vessels wero detained under
the guns of the besieging party, and had not
the United States steamer Fulton made her
appearance they would continue to have been
detained The commander of the Fulton
demanded their instant release which was
complied with and the vessels proceeded to
sea accordingly.
One of the captains was very spunky, and
gave those Mexicans piece Of his mind. For
this he was taken out Of his vessel and put in
prison. The excuse Tor this which the Mexi.
cans gave was that small signal gun, which
q man could easily carry. was found on board
and this was considered contraband. The
commander of the Fulton went in person
demanded the release of this captain, took
him Off in his gig, and restored him TO hi,
vessel.
Gen. GAIA, OF the besieging forces, hadn't
an idea that there was an American msn-of
war within thousand miles of Tampicc
when he committed these high handed pro
ceedings, and ho was greatly astonished wher
the Fulton made her appearance. 1t does moi
always matter so much about the size of Q
man-of-war on hand upon these occasion. A
six or eight gun vessel may suffice, and viii
often effect the service required quite as wei
as a frigate. What is necessary Is the sigh
of the American ensign and pennaut backed
by few guns.
In September, 1873, revolution of vic
lent character broke out at Panama, and thu
city was besieged. Whenever there is troubl,
on the isthmus they mako "dead-set" at tn,
railroad. In case OF war the government o
Colombia guarantees to protect and preserv'
neutrality upon the Panama railroad. Upol
this occasion the governor of Panama declared
his inability to protect the railroad
npn In ,iaf IF Init
States naval forces in tho Pacific happened
to be at Panama just in tho mick of time
with two good sized men of war, the Pensa
cola and Benicia, and upon his own response
bility landed 2J0 men--seamen and marines
divided between the Panama railroad station
and the custom house. The city of Panama
and the Panama railroad were in imminen
danger of being destroyed. The show o
forces had the desired effect, without the no
ccssity of firing shot. Once the revolution
airy party approached, with an attempt, appar
emily, to come upon the railroad but bolt
front shown by the United States forces owl
IDENTIFY caused them to change their minds.
Four lines of steamers of four different
nations were then running and come ctini
with the Panama railroad, viz, Anne rcan
English, French, and German. Passengers
freights, and specials continually passed owe
the road in safety and without interruption
These troubles lasted for fortnight, whoI
inc lnsurrectlonary forces reUreu ana DroK'
up and tho United States naval forces wer
withdrawn to their ships
For these services the United States nava
commander-in-chief received the thanks o
the Panama Railroad company, the severa
Pacific Mail steamship companies, aud all tn,
consus and foreign merchants.
These are a few instances of which tn
writer is cognizant of what tho navy does Il
time of peace. Scarcely naval officer @
moderate experience and length of servic
but has witnessed similar scenes in ditferen
parts of the world. They do not attract tn
attention of the public. and naval officers ar
not apt to blow their own trumpets. A.
10 the Editor.
''In this great country of ours, one of tn
richest in the world, with 10000 miles {
coast dotted with great commercial elite
and manufacturing towns, there is not sin
gle fort ON the ocean or lakes that an ord
nary ironclad could not passp said Admir-,