New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-09-05
upon whom and upon whose fate the world
cannot look with unconcern.
MERLC1N WIZ POLICY.

HUEhitiN w ~ 4 ON''N''
One hundred years ago this month 'Old Iron
sides was launched. The centenary OF the
American Navy Is therefore now TO be celebrated.
Il IS being marked in various ways: by Inc
construction of some of the finest warS!nps III
the world and by failure to provide docks TOT
them 80 that they have To be sent abroad Tor
dockage: by making liberal appropriations Tor
the Navy and 10y railing against all increase OK
the Navy IA "Jingosm'' and departure from
sound principles Of American policy Least
important Of all in itself is this last. and YET
perhaps worthy OF some passing nou''. Much
NONSENSE. partly childish. partly miScl!evouS' Is
being emitted nowadays about departures from
sound American principles. The Nation mas
been solemny informed that a protective tarii
Is such a departure. that the acquisition OF more
territory is that the manifestation OF interest
in the state Of adjacent countries Is. and' III
deed that everything is that is contrary to the
notions Of the fault-linderS Al the FISK or III
curing the penalty of answering a fool either
according or not according to his folly, 1t may be
well 10 point ont what is really the established
policy of the United States Government from
which the present building Of Navy is said TO
be so alarming Il departure.
fcctiveness. in a little Government publication
lust nut forth mt Washington by the Assistant
secretary Of the Navy. 1t consists of brief but
significant extracts from messages OF PRESIDENTS
Of the United States. from Washington down,
on the subject of naval policy: with PREDATORY
summary and comment by Mr.. Roosevelt. Tie
entire pamphlet. which is n thin one, IS Wen
worthy of careful pcrusal by every American
citizen who cares-as every one should caIc-'o
b. accurately informed concerning the Intentions
of the founders of the Republic ana the cohtlhu-
Gus policy Of their worthcst successors on 'hlS
important matter. Elsewhere in to-dayS IT'D
unc the salient points Of the publication are re-
produccd. enough to demonstrate beyond all
cavil tina, the creation and maintenance Oh Il
powerful Navy are part Of the orIginaI ana
fixed policy Of this Government. IT was WASH
inrton who first enunclatei It. sagcly declaring.
in 1910 that TO be prepared for war is one OF
tho mos, cfrcctual means Of preserving peace.
and seven years later proposing Speclhca!ly me
creation OF a National Navy able TO vlndlca'e the
flag from insult or aggression. Such WORK WIS
actually begin by his successor. John AdamS.
who declared that naval power j. the haturai
defence of the United States ana urged Inc
prompt increase OF our Navy 10 a sZe Suil'''h'
10 guard our coast and protect our trade. Mao
iSon added that TO preserve the SHIPS we no"
"hlvc in sound state. ID complete those AZ
ready contemplated, 10 provide amp! LOT
"promps augmcniatiOnS. Is dictated D! ne
",ound",t policy" Monroe express Ike s'niI-
mcntS. and John Quincy Adams spoke Of itS be-
jnc THE destiny and the duty OF the nicd
STATES io become a great naval Power
Jackson. Tyler. Polk and Lincoln are quoted by
Mr.. Roosevelt to the same effect, and after the
War of the Rebellion. Grant, Arthur, cleveland
and Harrison. If such an array OF authorities
backed up by the will Of the people does not
establish a policy. It would be interesting to
know what does.
From the list Of President; quoted one great
name &, consplcuousiy absent There is not "A
word from the utterances Of jefferson. nor i
his name so much mentioned. Reference 10
him without name is made. however. by Mr..
Roosevelt when he says that after the Admin
is,ratlon Of John Adams worl. on the Navy was
unwisely stopped with the result OF terrible
Ioss and damage" in the War OF 1872 That tells
the exact truth. jefferson was tho one frcSl-
dent who departed from the sound American
policy" concerning the Navy, and the erect "i
his action was dcplorablc II brought upon u"
RcDubiic the most serious disaster OF Us YAM
wears. 1t is quite safe 10 assume that no ono
Will care at this day To praise his example OF
TO uolnt 10 his example as Il precedent mat
should be- followed In such a matter aS TINS
ua,lisauship should have no place. Yet the iactS
of the record are that ii was the first Rcpub-
Ucan-or Fcdcrast- President WHO recommends
cd the creation Of Navy. and the second VINO
actually entered upon that work. and ii was the
first Democratic President who stopped That
work 10 the Nations incalcuable loss and woe.
Similarly. thrce-Guartcrs Of a century later. IL
was under Democratic rule that the Navy was
dwarfcd and dcmoralizcd 10 pltiful inadcquacy'
and II was under Republican rule that It's rccrca-
ton on a scale of splendid effectiveness was UNI
der,akcn. Those are considerations which may,
however. for the present be laid ASIDE. Inc
vital fact which is not to be laid aside IS that
from Washington down the American policy.
the sound and wcll-e established policy. has been
to build and 10 maintain Navy capable OF pro-
tcctinc our coasts and commerce, OF command
inc RESPECT for our flag on every sea, ana, II
need he. Of holding its own, dcfcnsivcly ana az
a,reSsivcly. in battle against the fleets OF any
opposing Power.
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FOR HlRMONY ~ DELAWARE.