National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-06-24

recognize, Mr.. Chairman, under ordinary
cir umstances the practicabllity OF liberal
naval bill, but to appropriate at this session
nearly Sl2,000,0O0 In that direction for militia
upon the seas from which we suffer ourselves
10 be driven by foreign merchantmen Ia too
much like furnishing an armor and keeping
The power OF roundsman on land or sea
dwells IN the respect the people behind him
compel for his line Of patrol by their high self
assertion, ship'ofwar should DO the hard,
ready knuckle OF strong, extended arm OF
commerce, not an empty gauntlet.
In this trespass upon your deliberations, /
have said but small part of what the subject
warrants That Senate amendment was the
handle of AK and hammer by which new ships
could have been built and the ship yard have
sent forth direct regular heralds for American
industries.
we are iifty millions in population and how
much more In machinery
We are environed by seas that buffet with
constant challenge east, south, and west. Our
vast resources are forever multiplying. Below
us IL a noble family of American nations, our
colonies by patent of nature. Eight hundred
millions In value of Mexican and South Amer
riSge, yet less than 10 per cent Il carried in
our bottoms. and huge balance Of trade Is
accommodating against us. The gulf should be
the national coneepot, nay. our great harbor
for the distribution Of all the products OF the
two Americas below us. Her timber her
ready iron, her cities, her brave brain, her
prodigal resources, and the noble industrial
your permission TO serve you. New Genoas,
Corinths, and Carriages will rise rs sea queens
at your practical summons. want no partial
advantage assured. but as an incident TO the
general amelioration OF our foreign commerce,
j beg you to declare In your own behalf that
the great west shall have fair and direct
seaway southward through New Orleans, in.
stead OF sending her surplus eastward aud
then southwark lest II might possibly arrive
somewhere too soon for English or German
convenience. Every needless mile and day
substract from profit, aud if.we. were as dill.
gent TO arrest waste, as by our folly we are to
promote II. there would be no need OF an US.
scmblage like this to-day. Every train and
steamboat that returns westward from our
seaboard with scant freight condemns u.s.. A
sound commerce Is like a sound lung-lts In
hal0tion and exhalnton are reciprocal rea.
sons and not to breathe Is 70 make neither
blood nor bone. do not believe In hugglng
our coast or in making n continuous apology
upon the sea for being Americans. Congress
has no right to cast Into II 100 annual millions
that should be distributed at home. We owe
no tribute save at home deyoutly hope that
an adjustment may yet DO composed
before the adjournment which may disclose
the wisdom OF Congress, assure fair wages
substantial advantage of the nation
on all sides and past our gulf gates foreign
vessels arc continually az their errands, and
we, n nation that should bestrlde every sea-
are outlawed there by an enactment that con-
tracts the American river TO petty syringe
in commerce and declares the American hnr'
Dor an inn for foreign shipowners, and an
American Congress a second and obelsant
house of commons. Let us stand by the ship
owner. Let our rich American surplus &c
forth seward and world wide on American
shoulders, as the soldier went forth with his
American knapsack, gun, and American
bounty to compel recognition OF our Just VA
tional demands.
Mr.. Charles s. Hill said that he had re.
celved letters Ia number OF which he read
from every section Of the country approx
ing Of the objects Of the American Ship
ping League. He moved that a committed
OF seven be appointed to draft plan for {
permanent organization, which was adopted
The chairman appointed the following al
the COMMITTEES: William M. Burwell, New
Orleans, chairman; Andrew Wheeler, Phil
adelphia; stephen Carey, New York
Charles s. Hill, District OF Columbla A
Vanderbilt, New York; Hon. J. s. Negloy
| Pennsylvania, and j. X. G. Pltkin, Louis
lana. AT 8 o'clock the meeting adjourned
until Z p. m. The meeting was attended b!
large number Of leading representative
men engaged In shipping and other com
mercial pursuits, representing most OF IN
states from Maine to Louisiana.
The league reassembled at the appoluts-
hour. Col. William NJ. Burwell presentel
| the following report from the committe,
appointed at the morning session:
| This organization will DO known as the Ma
tional Shipping. and Industrial League, au'
TO this convention, with such Others as shall b
| elected members under the constitution
thereof. The object Of the league Is 10 pro
mote the development and distribution OF tn
products Of American labor by the extension
Of the merchant marine of tho Unite'
States, and also TO establish thereby NOR
intimate commercial intercourse witt
service. This convention, therefore, cordial
invites all the great interests and investment
| OF shipping, commerce, and manufactures !
unite with them on this important object an
to impress upon their respective representative
and upon public opinion, by all legitimate In
tuences, the necessity OF legislation adeqnat
TO assure the success OF this vital object. Thq
an executive committee OF nine members sha
be appointed by the president, upon whom
shall develop the authority conferred by tn
constitution.
They also reported the following as tn
officers OF the league: President, Dan
bridge McRae, Arkansas; first vice pres
dent, Ambrose Snow, New York; secon
rotary, Charles s. Hill, District of Colum
bia; treasurer, A. Vanderbilt, New York.
Executive committee-Ambrose Snow
New York; Gen. j. s. Negley; G.. @. Cos
Maine; II. T. Cause, Delaware; L. II. RiI
ley, Vermont; A. Wheeler, Pennsylvania
s. w. Carey, New Jersey.
Commissioners of conference.-the. M
| BurWell, Louisiana; ChaS. y. Hill, Distrlc
Of Columbia; Robert @. Wood, Louisiana
s. @. Cobb, Florida.
State vice presidents were appointed fror
nearly all the states. Some Of the states al
yet to be filed, which will be done by tn
executive committee for thorough wor
throughout the Union.
The report was received and adopted
The committee asked leave to set agail
which was agreed to. On motion the o.
ecutive committee were authorized TO a.
point delegates to attend any and all con
mercial conventions that may be held In u
country, and to represent the interests
the American Shipping League before on
such convention that they may attend.
The commission OF conference was Al
thoriZed to prepare an address upon Il
objects OF the league, and to invite corr
spondence from all the commercial bodi,
and boards Of trade in the country, an
with all others who may be favorable to Il
object of the same.
Col. w. NJ. Burwell said that burea
must be established in Washington to di
seminate proper knowledge upon the o.
ject of THIS league. The farmers that al
making wheat at 20 cents bushel must
educated to know that their interest is
build up the shipping interests Of tn
country. The league adjourned at
o'clock, subject to the call OF the presldin
officer. Dispatches were received from Il
board Of trade of Bath, Me-, and others e.
pressing their entire approval OF the objec
of the league,