Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1885-08-28
ARGUMENT FOR OCEAN MAIL PAY, By
JOHN S. WISE, REPUBLICAN CANOI-
DATE FOR GOVERNOR OF VIRGIAlA.

Virginia, spoke as follows IN favor
of the Ocean Mail Appropriation
Mr.. Speaker, at later hour OF
this day we shall hear from the
President-elect of the United States,
but do not believe that in all he
will utter words of greater wisdom
or of more earnest truth will fall
from his lips than those which |
read tonight from him as pertinent
TO the subject now under discussion.
4 Member-By whom
Mr.. John S. Wise--Mr. Grover
Cleveland, PresidentO of the United
States.
In 1910 American vessels car
ried S2.9 per cent. Of all our ex-
ports and imports; in 1850, 40 (;
in 1850, COS; in 1870, $50; in
1850, IA =; in 1882, 15.5.
The citizen of New York, looking
beyond his State and all her efforts
in the interest OF commerce and
national growth, will naturally IN
Ouire concerning the causes OF this
decadence of American shipping.
While he sternly demands of his
home government the exact limita.
ton of taxation by the needs of the
State, he will challenge the policy
that accumulates millions of use
less and unnecessary surplus in the
national Treasury, which has been
not less a tax because it was indi.
rectly but surely added to the cost
Of the peoples life
Mr.. Speaker, | propose for a few
moments to address myself to the
proposition there discussed of build
ing up American commerce by the
disposition of some Of that accum-
ulated surplus.
Thirty.eight years ago | was
born in Rio Janeiro and today re-
side in the city of Richmond, Va.
1t so happened that when thirty
eight years ago | first saw the
light it was while the United States
of America was enjoying that South
American trade, and to-day the lit
tie remnant Of il that is lett to us
is 10 great part in the city of Rich
mOnd.
Year by year the commerce of
the United States with the South
American continent has decayed.
Year by year it has been driven
from the markets of the world.
Year by year the splendid flag
which once hOated from the peak
OF those bounding greyhounds of
the sea, the American clippers, has
been driven from the seas by the
superior wisdom and superior push
of other nations.
To-day the problem in the United
States is how shall we revive the
lost commerce and maritime impOr-
lance of the United States, where
shall we find a market for Ameri-
can productions, and the conclusion
of those who have considered that
subject are almost unanimous that
the only hope Of American manu-
facturers is IN the establishment
of our trade relations with the South
American continent.
This bill proposes not a subsidy.
| wish to God it did. If l were
autOcrat of the destinies of Ameri-
can trade and commerce l would
build the ships at Government ex-
pense, load them with productions
of American citizens, and if need be
even give them TO the American sail
or who would sail the vessel bear
ing our flag and sell the products
OF American toll abroad until we
had driven Great Britain from the
land that God made our natural
market, with its trade winds blow
ing and currents of the sea flowing
with all advantages in our favor.
(Applause.)
But this bill does no such thing
as that. 1t is in no sense a sub
sidy. Look at it as you will, it is
but honest pay for honest work.
IL makes a slight discrimination in
favor of the American ship, as
carrier of our mails, as against the
British, but even that is insignif.
cant as compared with Great Brit.
aims well known rule, that no mail
b,g fOm her territory anywhere
shall ever lie upon the deck of any
but a British ship.
When we consider the history OF
our languishing commerce the men
III whose favor this discrimination
is made appeal most strongly to
our sympathy and sense Of simple !
Justice
Through thirty years of seeming
~ studied strangling of our com
merce by the policy that has been |
pursued, there have yet remained
Americans who refused to forget
the glorious days Of the McKays,
when the stars and stripes crossed
the equator Oftener than the st.
cross. Through thirty
Years of neglect of our merchant
marine there have yet remained
Americans who loved the old
stories Of the days when we chal.
Ieuged the supremacy of Great
Britain on the high seas, who still
thrilled with Perry's immortal
words, ave have met the enemy
any they are ours,' or loved to
ircdm of the old Constitution
'risate and the legend Of her
glorious victory when
The Guerrero frigate bold
On the fOaming ocean rolled,
Commanded by proud Dacres so
grand, o,
With as choice a British crew
As rammer ever drew,
They could lick the tars Of France
neat and hand, o;
But they never found their match
I'LL the Yankees they did catch,
For the Yankee boy for fighting is the
dandy, o!
lApplause.l
Yes, through all these years the
spirit which gave US these aud a
host Of other splendid naval
episodes in our early history, has
refused TO be quenched. TO the
pushing energy Of the American
merchandise hope Of our mari.
line ascendency-which naturally
.urns him to the high seas seeking
market for his goods, and which
'etuseS to yield to neglect, folly, or