Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-05-16

nv peon pecause OF the exigencies OF
the enormous war debt hanging upon the
country. The position of the profession.
1878 OF to-day in seeking ubsidies ia merely
o change Of base and that which protec.
ton has 30 ruthlessly destroyed is now
sought to be resuscitated by further re-
course to the wiles and subtleties Of the
protectionist doctrine. When our marine
Interests were hourishing they were
bullded upon a firm and natural founde.
ton and IL these palmy days are to 70.
turn II must be because OF thu natural
order of affairs and in accord with the
present and new conditions which NAV
arise.
Mr.. Stone truthfully asserts that the
genius OF American civilization is able 20
cope with any opposing force upon the
planet, but he need not stop there; it is
able to excel and conquer any and every
opposition, II ii Is but given an even
chance. Why should Americans fear then
to place themselves In competition with
opposing forces? To-day our position is
far in tho rear. Our normal condition Ia
to be In the vhn-a leader of leaders. The
sttempt to establish now marine upon
tue subsidy basis would not be pro.
greasive. The superior talents In our
possession would fail Of the full measure
OF the results which they ought to eo-
complish, because, in following out this
idea we would but be adopting the plans
OF other and weaker nations. Oar talents
are isther on the order Of the original
than the initiative, hence the necessity OF
broad, open and unobstructed Geld in
which to work. II we 90 at this mat
ter In such O manner as to give
full exercise TO oil our powers,
what may We not expect to accomplish 7
Onr position is now 30 far in the rear that
we can not follow the example OF other
nations, and regain our former position
beside our old rival. Our first duty Is to
remove the hindrsnces of the past, and
Keep On eye to windward for the future,
resting assured OF one thing, thst the
world is still moving, aud tn, conditions
OF to-day are no more going to remain Us
they are than they did az they were, when
we enjoyed our palmy days. 1t does no.
follow that we will have to carry on a
commerce with the same appliances "a
other nations. If, as he suggests, we
have got to do business upon better
basis than other people to get the trade,
then why not begin by doing this bust.
ness upon q different and better basis 7
why accept the same Weapons other ma
uons have seen fit to choose, whsn we
can employ ways and means beyond the
reach OF their limited resources
We are in much better position to 40
cept auy new innovation in this direction
necessitating a radical change, than any
OF our competitors, and 1t is our full bs.
lief that American ingenuity properly
ha-nessed to this problem will not stop
short of it.
To return to the former question Why
have not these baneful results appeared
In the trade itself? We answer that our
resources in the directions of creating
and maintaining this trade are much in
the same position as our merchant marine
when wooden ships composed the fleets
OF the world. We have prospered under
protection in every direction, in which
under the conditions of trade we have
had superior resources at our command,
superior advantages 10 offer bat VOC be
to us L this policy is continued until the
conditions undergo change and
the reaction sets ia. I can not
close this article without directing
! the attention of the secretary
of the Shipping League TO problems OF .
personal character TO US az Americans,
which are in now way affected whether
subsidies are granted or not, but which
are crying aloud for solution. The de-
velopment OF our natural water. ways and
the building of steam vessels apapted to
their navigation and possessing the essen
tials Of light draught, carrying capacity
and speed would DO one of the greatest
factors in the development Of the re-
sources Of our own commonwealth. Take
up these problems, and induce the neces-
saTy capital and brains to work them out
to success and you will have taken a step
In advance, and one which will materially
assist In the labor of re establishing the
American merchant marine, whose ulti-
mate end and aim is to lead the world.
...5. w. q. TYSON,
Engineer Steamer Clio.
ODESSA, DEL, May 9th, 1889.