New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-11-29

heavier than before In the name of God what
done with this Immense superiority Of force Why
was not a squadron OF observation of every port
which contained American ship OF war? Why
not Rodgers intercepted with his whole squadron and
taken or destroyed within sight of his own coasts ~
on the following day the rage OF The Times sub
sides into this touching lament: sob. what charm
Is hereby dissolved What hopes will be excited In
the breasts of enemiesi The land spell OF the
French Is broken (audlng to Napoleon's disastrous
retreat from Moscow and so is our sea SPELL "The
London Morning Chronicle Of the same date with
greater moderation, asks ais 1t not sckenng TO
see that experience has been sufficient to rouse
our Admiralty to take measures that may protect the
British flag from such disgrsce7'
When The London Times" learned that the Con-
stitution had captured the third British ffgate, the
Java, the following editorial leader appeared The
public will learn with sentiments which we shall not
presume to anticipate that third British frigate has
struck to American. This Is an occurrence that
calls for serious reaection-ths and the fact, stated
in our paper of yesterday that Loyd's list contained
notices of upward 500 British vessels captured In
seven months by the Amerieans-500 merchantmen and
three frigates Can these statements be true7 And
can the English people hear them unmovedl Any
one who had predicted such a result Of an American
war this time last year. would have been treated as
a mailman or a traitor. He would have been told IL
his opponents had condescended to argue with him,
that long months had elapsed the American
fag would have been swept from the seas the con-
temptible Navy Of the United States annlhated and
their marine arsenas rendered heap of ruins.
Yet down to this moment not single American flgate
has struck her flag"
OF all the ships in the American Navy there was
no other that did much level British naval pride
the Constitution and there was no other which the
English were so anxious TO capture. High rewards
and rapid promotion In ranks awaited the British COM
mander who sailed into spthead with the dreaded
zha
squadron In 1872 Captain Byron. of the pursuing
squadron, wrote to a friend in London Nothing can
exceed my modification from the extraordinary escape
of the American frigate.' When in 1915 the Con-
stituton again almost tremendously escaped powerful
British squadron which had followed her from Boston
across the Atlantic the coast of Portugal the Blush
commander is said to have committed suicide from
chagrn over his failure to capture the hated Consu-
ton.
And is the ship, one that more than any other has
contributed TO the glory of the United States 10 De
left out of the naval exhibit in the Worlds FAR In
Chicagol The American people win say no. ii wei
land is not big enough to float her 10 Chicago they VIII
find other means OF getting her there. This noble snip
in the War OF 1872 captured over 1000 able Dodieo
prisoners killed nearly 100 English blue-jackets, ana
wounded more than 200 better record than that
made by any American army in that war.
But there Is another reason why the Consutuuoh
should be at the Worlds Far. She, also is APP
Harris shpyard Boston, In 1794 although she was not
launched until 1897. Congress has stretched point
of time one year in the matter OF holding the WoruS
Fair in 1893 instead OF 1892. Could not the same
license be allowed in deductng one year from the Con-
stituton's centennial TO bring 1t in 1oo3 also
The flag that will float from the Victory shOuid nave
a gentle reminder that although the English JACK
might conquer the Dons" and Pare v0us" yet IL
must bow to the greater proves of the American JACK
floating In quiet dignity at the venerable CONSTRUCTORS
foremost.
The fom great frigates OF the American Navy III
the first fifty years of National existence are tie
Constitution Constellation, United states and Presl-
dent All Of these ships or their prototypes are III
existence to-day except the United states The Con
sttttion "a at Portsmouth, the Constellation AT Now
London and the President at the West India SCUM
DOCKS London, England. All OF these frgaies were
launched within short time of each other' ana 'oso
still In existence approaching their ceh'ohni'i
wear They are the representative types OF the
marine force that made the United States poSsoty'
The Navy of the Revolution, Including privateefS'
which were no less than the militia OF the sea- tooA
more than $4,000 prisoners OF war; or twice as many
as the Army did in the entire struggle besiues carry
ing the war into the enemys country, and nearly an
Initiating her commerce. England could exist without
Hessians but her sesmen were captured and her
commerce depleted she was touched 10 the QUICK
In this country's two years war with france the work
was all done by the marine forces. and nearly loo
| ""N
American warshp lost, and that one was only re-
eaptured Again in the war with the States Of Barbary
| the fighting was all done by the Navy which sue
ceeded where European nations had failed In the
War of 1912 500 vessels taken from the enemy.
Allowing the moderate estimate of thirty men TO each
captured vessel some Of them having over 400 mem
you have total of over AZ 900 abebodied men takea
from the enemy in that strugglemost of them seamen
| whom England could least afford 10 lose. DID the
American armies capture one-thrteth or even one
An s from U5 the Var of ISL down
time the career OF the Navy mas Ueen Sf 9 of
the states of Barbary. the Suppression Oh pray III oe
West Indies, the scientific and exploring eAPeeole
| in the Dead sea and In the Arctic and Anlrctc
Oceans the skilful and triumphant negotiation Of the
treaty with JAPAN form one long line OF Dlaht scr
Can, then too much honor be paid to this branch
Of the seryce Can TOO much be done 10 6 se ,hs
Navy has done much toward making possible ana dn
which so much Of Its glory and magnIhcence Is une
Constellation should by all means take the place OF
honor at the naval exhibit of the Worlds Fair =, -.
British squadron after long chase. Although this
gae important eapnre' in the ss war ana %a
large place in the affections OF the people ms was
as that s oSeaR Of the t war The cha
ienge was sngularly worded as the events WHICH
fO%ed d Y were s Sns Majes gate Guerriee
presents his compliments TO Commodore k9dserS o OF
Sss To- meet him or any other American tgate of
equal force to the President of sandy Hook; for
| the purpose OF having social Nte, atepe.
The tiuerriere did not have the satisfaction Cd
meeting the President, but she met her sister, et
Constittion and history informs that the teteaete
| was entirely satisfactory-to the Constitution. ,
| The President also was endeared TO the American
neonle on account OF heroic defence when under
| he Command OF Commodore Decatur against tle
squadron Of Captain Hays This snip left New 10pS
| ~ set TO sea in spite of powerful bloc kadlne
! e0uadron In crossing the bar at sandy HOOK SUI
grounded and for two hours thumped or
the sand and became hogged" or broken backed anG
| MS seriously impaired her sailing qualitles AS II
ua ,mncssble 10 regain port however, she got TO sea
and was chased for twelve hours by the brush ha snip W,
enemys heading ship the Endymi0n, must inevitably
close on her Captain Decatur addressed MS crew az