New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-09-20
PATRIOTISM OUT OF DATE.

After all Is there any real occasion for making
such fuss, Just because the Indiana Is to be
sent to Halifax TO be put into drydockf She
must be sent thither Of course, or 10 some other
foreign port, because have in this country no
dock suitable for the purpose. OF that there Is
no question. Nor Is there any question that the
present Administration Is responsible for that
fact But is there good ground for blaming the
Administration, or for regarding II as National
humiliation that we have no dock for our own
ships? On the contrary, Is It not much to the
Administrations credit that It has brought about
such n state OF affairs and established so emf
nently sound governmental policy?
Some one once said Of John Bright that II an
invading army had landed In England he would
have entered into n calculation whether 1t would
be cheaper to drive 1t out or TO let II stay. The
story was stupid calumny. hut 1t well ex-
presses the spirit of the newlght craftsmanship
Of the present day. 1t Is cheaper 10 hire docks
abroad than to build them at home; wherefore
let us depend upon foreign docks for our Navy.
We might make a regular contract with Eng
land for the use Of her docks ar Halifax. South
omp,on and elsewhere, with special clause pro-
yldlng that in case Of war between this coun-
fry and England. we were still to have the use
II
similar arrangement might be made for coaling
stations. with the stipulation In the interest OF
economy. that English ships were TO have the
first pick Of the coal and ours to take the leav-
incs. Indeed, we might extend the principle
little further. and do away with our Navy alto
gcther why should we be bothered with shipsf
England would doubtless be glad to take con-
tract TO patrol our coasts for and do all needed
naval work for us. with her own ships. at 50
much year. and we could pay her by means Of
onotber syndicate bond issue. 1t could be agreed,
Of course that in case Of war England should
defend our ports for us with some Of her ships
while she attacked them with others. And II
ever the Consecratcd One grows weary OF hav-
ing the government Of the Nation upon his hands,
why not turn over the whole job 70 commits
sioner of Her britannia Majesty's Government?
The Consecrated one could have no more appro-
nrIote successor The change would be In name
and nothing more.
That is the true philosophy Anything else Is
wretched Jingolsm. We ought not to have any
docks for our ships, nor any ships for our docks
We ought not TO have any flag Of our own. II
IL NIL mawkish sentimentality, or Mysteries, this
attachment TO the Stars and Stripes. The
"metcor flag Of England Is 90 much better FORM
Won know We could make just rs much money
under II. and worship our pompous fetch Just
rs dcvouily. Why not try the experiment? Ran
dolph. OF Roanoke, was right According TO
Whittier. BEYOND yIrginia's borderlne His
notriotism persisted" Why should our patriot
ism extend beyond the rim OF the almighty dol
,or" or at most beyond the shadow Of the Sage
Of Buzznrd's Bay? Let us try the experiment
II will save liz henceforth the bother and the
worry Of self .governmen and ut the same time
will put these pcstfcrous patriots In very Eight
place