New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-04-28
THE SHIPS THAT MEAN PEACE

What Americans saw in the splendid display
Yesterday and "Wednesday may have been seen
by no other eyes Nine nations sent hither
picked vessels from their armed navies. Not
many observers reflected that the little Monitor,
of which the MiantonomOh was only an en-
larged and improved edition. set the pace for
the worlds naval warfare thirty years ago,
made wooden and unprotected ships waste
and was in sense the author >! the marveis
Of science and skill which the world displayed
in hi, harbor. Muscle and courage won in the
wars Of old. Now cash wins, and cash means
the profitable industry OF a free people With
far-Sccng instinct this Nation made naval war
fare without enormous resources an lmpoSSi-
bity. rs if fore!inowng that in less than thru!
years the United States would save yearly more
than third Of the addition to the wealth OF
the whole world. SO the Monitor taught the
world that unarmored ships were worthless. and
the nations have ever since been cXhau',n"
their resources in preparing for defence against
Zach other.
The white fleet was beautiful and grand, be-
cau.e il meant peace The ships were not
many. compared with the navios which can be
assembled by other nations. but they showed
growing Nation in the world can do. if il ever
becomes necessary. May the day be far DIS
tani. If il ever comes, the earnings and re-
sources of this Nation. and the genius and skill
of its inventors and artisans will defend lis
rights Hence the display which Americans
were permit Il 10 see was after all less interest
ING tEal that hich the selected representatives.
of foreign nations had before them. They saw
on Wednesday harbOr Of wonderful extent ana
beauty, but on every side Of II Il watching.
Joyous. confident Nation, strong in lis match
less industry, thrOngng the WharvcS and the
hills and the towering buildings. The people
were thousand times more impressive than
the ships of all the peoples. The millions took
their holiday and enjoyed it, because they were
able, as are the wage-earnclS nowhere else to
take enjoyment when they please. About the
matchess bay and river the representatives. of
other nations saw a city or family Oh clii's.
which has grown within century 10 rival i'll
population the greatest Of the world. and which
in evidences of individual prosperity for the
millions canno, be matched in any other land.
and yet this is bat the doorway Of the mighty
Nation which has power. If necessary. 10 spend
a thousand millions a year in building new
navics without drawing on its reserves OF
lessening is production of wealth.
The officers of foreign ships saw what they
could see nowhere else on earth. Newly Ork,
the gateway of the great Republic, meant I"
those who could reason more than all the navIeS
that ever hoated. The splendid concoulSc Of
great ships could have been seen cl,cMhcre but
The people behind the white feet could be seen
nowhere else. The spectators were the true
spectacle. The millions who watched were in
tinitcIy more impressive 10 the thinking eye, in
fnitclv more powerful in need and terrible in
conflict. than the engines Of iron and steel
which their labor can easily create or their
earnings 50 quickly buy. Close about this
beautiful bay the people cam every day enough
10 buy Il more costly vessel than any now float
ing on its waters and in the conflicts Of the
future, if any conflict there must be- earnings
will turn the scale. And behind the beautiful
bay lies a Nation whose mere savings every
month would more than purchase all the ships
of war in the haIbOr Of NewI