Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-02-23

then followed pandemonium OF whistling
and bell-ringing from the craft in the har-
Dor. Tho trip down the bay had TO be
cancelled on account of the storm and
floating ice.
At the conclusion Of the ceremonies
President Harrison retired TO the main
saloon, whore he held n reception. lie met
and shook bands with several hundred OF
the guests.
At $50 O'Clock tho presidential party
went on board StaIiu steamer, which de-
parted immediately for Jersey City, where
they took the 4 O'Clock train for Wash
ington.
WHAT IT ALL MEANS.
In explanation of tho significance OF the
above-described event the Now York Tri-
ba,se says editorialy:
"The raising ~ tho American flag over the
steamship Now York denotes the conversion OF
ono Of tho most powerful and successful trans
atlantic limos into a national enterprise. Fol-
lowed ~ II will Do by the transfer OF tho Paris 10
American registry and the construction during
the next twenty months Of FIVE merchant steam-
crs Of suporor tonnage and the highest speed In
tho Cramps shiI-yRrds. II marks the opening
OF new era Of American shipping inte-
rcsts. IL Is an event which deserves 10 be
cOmmcmOrated by the presence Of the Presi-
dent and civic dignitaries from Washington and
ty unwon:e0 festivities. IL also constitutes =
most ntung observance of a day Of patriotic
memories. " washington ana inc louulef3 o. lut
republic considered merchant marine as hard
" loss important tnan Federal Constitution.
Among the earliest measures adopted Dy
the nrsj American Congress was an net
tor the protection o. shipping Interests
on the high seas aud in inland waters. That
measure when signed by the first President ~
creased tho tonnage from $4,000 Ia 1883 70
100000 IN the course OF twenty years, ana
transferred to American bottoms over so por
cent Of the export md tmp,rt trade. To-day 8
celebration signifies that the Traditional mari
tune policy has not been abandoned. thHt
the flag has not been furled on the ocean,
and that Americans VIII not give up the SNIP
since tho restoration OF the nag 10 the ocean
IA n high national policy sanctioned by the
example Of illustrious ststesNcn Of the lnde-
prndcnce era We consider It n most fortunate
circumstance thar both political parties nave
been associated ~ legislation Whlch has ln-
American Line 4 prominent Demo-
Crht filOted through tho present House the
registry lill, winch has been carried mo prAc-
tee to-day. Tint bin, whilo u involved de-
Iariure from The original legislation OF WASH
iugfons day, WIS q siatesmanlike COM
prorp,se 10 which the Republican Senate
could rot refuse nsseut IL conferred regis
Try upon TWO iofegu-bullt ships but IL pro
yidei, directly or ludirc ty, Tor tue lmmeOlale
construction of merchant fleet IN American
sbin-vnrds. tho creation Of powerful auxiliary
navy, aud the restoration oi the nag 10 me
transatlantic trade with Ioris OF three turo-
peau countries. While there WAS cohullohtl
suepcn4lOn Of the registry law. the ODlects 10
he attained were the same which the founders
o. Tho reuubrc contemplated in the earliest
shipping legislation. ~ Their navigation laws
ihey protected tho Shipping and ship-building
inter SIS aIiEC and created a maritime nation,
with a navy M well as a cOmInefcial marine,
v1ib American sails Whitening every sea, and
with the COa-ts hnei with shp-yards All tnese
patriotic objects Will be promoted by the leeislH-
ton for tho ,restion OF the new American line.'