New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-08-07
NOT THE Right TONE.

Tho recent naval manoeuyres IN New-York
waters have naturally been followed by post
nrandial eloouence and compliments to Admiral
Walker. The Squadron OF Evolution ana une
drilling of the Naval Reserve have been PUBIC
events of great interest, and when the cruise
was ended the Chamber of Commerce hanu-
somely entertained the officers OF The fleet as
a token of their appreciation Of the significance
of the recent demonstrations OF progress IN
ornaments and coast defence. We DO not thlhk
that the best Judgment was displayed in the
oratory of this OCCASION 1t was hardly just
TO single out ex-Secretary Whitney and Al
miral Walker as the chief organizers OF the
new navy, nor was it necessary to ing 'he
changes upon the tribute of 500, OOO'ooo
which foreign feet of high power could exact
in New-York Harbor. The navy as 1t promises
TO become after decade of progressive de-
yelopment will be the work of the American
people, and comparisons between Department
Secretaries and officers in the service are not
in good taste at public dinner. AS for inc
possibilities of a naval descent from maritime
Europe upon New-Yorlx TIarbor, it is not worth
while for Americans to borrow trouble prehia-
turely. European nations are not IN the hapiV
of suddenly bombarding coast cities ana levy
ing tribute mawares. They are not pirates
The interests of so vast a foreign commerce
as centres in the harbor of this town promote
the ends of peace The larger the commerce
and the richer the market the less likely Is
maritime Europe to interrupt the orderly eA-
changes between continents.
The development of the naval forces Is now
a high National policy which has received the
sanction OF Administrations of both pollucal
partics and is supported by mmistakable EVIL
dences Of popular favor. 1t is no longer neces-
sarv for any officer in the service, or for any
nublic man or party journal to defend measures
for strengthening and improving the navy Inc
question has now passed outside the range Vi
partisan politics, to which Mr.. Whitney during
the first half of his term unfortunately lowered
IT, The American people are not satisfied un-
less each new Secretary improves upon inc
record of his predecessor, and they are lmpa-
tent whenever any attempt is made to get po-
Iitical capital out of the navy. 1t is National
interest. and ought to be kept out of politics:
In the administration of the service there should
be as little partisanShp wiepulling and favor
itisn as possible. 1t ought not to be practcable
for any officer, whether Of high or low rank
70 derive benefit from "political pulls IN W wash
ington. or to have any advantage whatsoever
over his equals and competitors in the service
This is high ground which ought always to be
taken on public occasions when body OF
representative merchants like the Chamber OF
Commerce pays it's tribute to 50 great Ma
tional interest as the American Navy
England has brought ridiCule upon itself
many a time during recent years by its panlcs
over the Channel tunnel and the supposed weak
ness of its naval defenceS. 1t is hardly seem
w for Americans to initiate that fightneSs OF
mind by building fleets and coast defences
solely with view to sudden emergencies and
the possibilities of the levying OF tribute upon
the metropolis. There should be symmetrical
deyelopment of all branches Of the service
bottle-ships and cOast-d defence vessels should be
built: q naval militia should be organized and
regularly drilled but all these precautions
should be taken. not because Americans arc
tidgeting in the least over the chances of war
never more remote than nOw-but because
great Nation like the United States requires, in
peace as well as in war, for commercial prestige
rs well as for National defence in unforeseen
emergencies, a navy worthy OF its old-tlme
traditions and of the work of its progressive
civilization in the world. When the ma
noeuvres of a squadron and the practice OF the
naval militia are followed by futile crOaklng
over the future ravagcs of a hostile fleet anC
the "swag" that may be carried out of por
some unhappy day great National policy is
belitt!ed.