New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-18

The third Act OF the flTst congress paSseu July
90, 1850, provided discriminating tonnage duties upon
tho entry OF foreign vessels into ports follows
American American ' buzz. vessels belonging to
All other foreign vessels. so eta per ton
On the LIST OF September, 1850. It was provided
that none but American built vessels should wear tho
American flag.
All this was dons within the space Of four months
and one day from the hour when George Washington
took tho oath Of Office President. The men who
achieved Independence did not hesitate TO protect
American interests with their swords by legislative
acts, openly and avowedy protective, and enabling
In their purpose and form Of expression
Tho shipbuiIdlng and shipping Interests OF tho
United States had a phenomenal deVelopmont FROM
1921 20 1861 besides meeting our own rapidly In
crcasng demands for vessels we sold to foreigners
100000 tons OF shipping Hundreds OF our ships
were also employed abroad in the carrying trade be-
tween other countries Tho glorious achievements
Of tho American Navy, during the war OF 1872, added
10 the successes OF our merchant Marine fairly turned
tho heads of our countrymen Daniel Webster, in
his Bunker I'm Monument speech, delivered July 10,
1e25, bespoks tho popular feeling IN regard TO our
shipping interests when no said: "W have COM
nerce which leaves no sea unexplored navios which
take no law from superior force.7 This proud posi-
ton was won by the abundance and excellence OF
shipbudlng material In our forests, the genius and
enterprise OF our shpbuilders and naval architects,
the persistent tact and energy OF our merchants
and shipmasters, and tho protection which
our laws accorded 10 American vessels engaged In
foreign commerce. II had stuck to the protective
polev AZ first adopted We should today 500 onehaf
the shining of the globe under our flag surely as
we have to-day moro than half the railroad mileage
OF the world. But pride OF maritime achievement
led us 10 tho pall Of disaster In tho spirit OF over
confidence in tho future We threw down the gauntlet
OF open competition to all the world and It has led to
nrrt aa Act 80 Mare
O. 1915 only about two months after the treaty Of
peace was signed between Great Britain and tho United
states Congress repealed all discriminating duties
upon ships and merchandise when entered at ports Of
the United states In tho smps OF the
nation of which such merchandise washe production or
manufacture, and by the act OF May "a, 1928, we
threw open the free-trade door TO our foreign
shipping by Offering 10 admit 10 our ports tho ships
OF foreign nations from any port on the globe, with
merchandise the product Of any nation the globe
subject to no other duties charges OF any sort than
those imposed on American vessels. The provisions
of both these acts we're made operative by proclama
ton Of he President upon information that any for
eign nation had accorded US like privileges This mas
now been done by almost every commercial nation on
the globe So long wooden vessels were the only
vehicles OF commerce the ocean, our merchant
marine was prosperous. But when the iron steamer
introduced our maritime decadence began and
has continued 70 the present day The cheaper cost
Of building and sailing foreign iron vessels mas done
the work
Tho practical question which now confronts tho
country, and especially the political party about TO
return TO power, is What shall we do aoout itf
While avowing my hearty approval OF suosaies 10
American mall steamers, coHimensura" WIN tne
exceptionally high value Of the postal service as an
arm Of commerce, regard the whole plan VI SUD
sides as a special form Of relief. ana as Deins
merely in the nature OF expedIent, 10 winch We
should have recourse In order to secure specia con-
mercIa advantages In order to maintain OF secure
political objects having a direct bearing upon inc
honor and dignity OF tho nation or its defence against
foreign aggression To a general system Oh subsidies
applicable to our entire merchant Marine h1er Tue