The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-12-07
Strengthen the NAVY!

The able. eloquent. and convincing argu-
ment made by Secretary HILARY A. HER.
BERT for pushing on with vigor the work OF
rebuilding the fleet should call out hearty
response from the American people. al
though it receives so faint and dubious a
support from the President
II our Government In the future. says Mr..
HERBERT. is to be strong enough to COM
mand the peace and DO in condition to en-
force the terms dictated by it's sense of
right and justice" 1t must have moro bat
tie ships and must build torpedo boats. He
shows that during the whole process OF
reconstruoting the navy its expenses have
been but a very small fraction Of the Fed
eral expenditures. and then proceeds with
this ringing announcement:
1T seems certain that the future bring with Il
an increase O; International questions to ssttems
OF which In . manner which will be at once peaceful
and honorable strength will be absolusiy essen.
siAl We must aud keep our navy m such . con.
dition OF efficiency a. to give weight and power TO
whatever policy 1t may be thought wise tho part OF
cur Government TO The navy 10 TO main tain
an honorable peace begotten by assured strength
protect rights enforce just claims b.g,t security
Aganst foreign aggression compel respect any
declared policy OF our people which may AnecE foreign
nations"
This frank and spirited declaration OF the
reason for rebuilding the navy is worthy OF
tho American people. And ngain Secretary
HERBERr declares that no one can value
economy moro highly than no does. but
the safety OF the country. its honor and its
dignity. must rise above every other consid-
GRAFTON. and it Ia respectfully submitted that
the programme OF auth orizing the building
of at least some vessels at each session OF
Congress ought not to te interrupted now"
Apparently It must be little Notifying to
the Secretary to find his iervent plea draw
ing out this comment from Mr.. CLEVELAND /:
"whils am distinctly in favor Of consistently pursu
fsE the policy We have inEuEurstsd Of building up
thorough aud efficient navy cannot refrain from the
suggestion that the Congress should carefully
account the number OF unfinished vessels hands
and the depleted eondsn or treasury In consider
ing the proprisy Of an appropriation 81 this time 10
bssih work"
In his annual message TO Congress. OF
Dec. 2. 1884. ANDREW JACKSON declared
that the wide seas which separate us from
other Governments must OF necessity be the
theatre on which an enemy will aim to
assail US; and unless we are prepared to
meet him on this element We cannot be
said TO possess the power requisite to Tepel
or prevent aggressions. We cannot. there
fore. watch with too much attention this
arm OF our defence. or cherish with too
Inuoh care the means by which II can
possess the necessary efficiency and extern
sion" And with like spirit. President TYLER
thus addressed Congress:
"Eeoaomy IN al branchs, Of the public service Is
due from ali the public agents OF the people but pss
inouy alone could suggest the Withholding Of the
Necessary Tor the protection our domestic
hrssids from invasion ana our national honor from
dissrAss. would most earnestly recommend 20 Goa
srss' to Aesisin from all appropriations for objects
nss 40 utslT necessary but take upon myself
NhhoE' moment Of hsstaney, all thu responsibility
OF Recommending the Increase and prompt equipment
Of that gallant navy ~hIeh has lighted up every
Nhh ns victories aud spread an impsEishAbls glory
over the country"
The language of Secretary HERBERT may
well stand side by side with that which Is
here quoted from tho Presidents Of an
early day. And with il. too. may fairly be-
cited that Of the House Committee on Naval
Affairs in a Democratic Congress, under Sec
rotary wHTSEY. Noting that before the
war Of 1912 there were differences Of opIn-
ion as TO whether the United States ought
to attempt TO become an important naval
power the committee remarked that from
Tie moment when the news came of the
brilliant victories Of HULL and LAWRENCE