The times., 1897-09-05
icy of fostering and training seamen for
the naval service.

u. :. Grant.
December 8, 1S70-The appropriations
made for the last and current years were
evidently intended by Congress, and are
sufficient only, TO keep the Navy on its
present footing by the repairing and refit-
| ting OF our old ships. This policy must
OF curse, gradually but surely estroy the
| Navy. 1t can hardly be wise statesman
! ship in a government which represents Il
country with over 5000 miles OF coast
| line on both oceans, exclusive OF Alaska,
! and containing 40 ,000,0 600 OF progressive
people, with relations of every nature
| with almost every foreign country, to rest
| with such inadequate means Of enforcing
any foreign policy, either OF protection Of
redress. Separated by the ocean from the
nations of the eastern continent, our Navy
| is our only means OF direct protection To
our citizens abroad or for the ENFORCE
ment of any foreign policy.
December ,, 1S72-Unless steps are taken
| to preserve our Navy, in very few years
| the United States viii be the weakest nation
| upon the ocean of ali the great powers.
| With an energetic, progressive, business
! people like ours, penetrating and forming
business relations with every part OF the
| known world, Navy strong enough TO
/ command the respect of our flag abroad
! is necessary for the full protection of all
! their rights
Chester 4. Arthur.
December 6, 1881 i cannot too strongly
urge upon you my conviction that every
consideration of national safety, economy,
! and honor imperatiyely demands thor
/ ough rehabilitation OF our Navy.
With full appreciation of the fact
that this must involve a large expenditure
/ OF the public moneys, earnestly recon-
/ mend such appropriations as VIII accom-
! plish an end which seems 10 me SO de-
sirable.
If we heed the teachings OF history we
! shall not forget that in the life OF every
nation emergencies may arise when
! resort To arms can alone save 1t from dis
/ honor.f
December 4, 1888 That our naval
strength should be made adequate for
the defense OF our harhors, the protection
| OF our commercial interests, and the main
tenance of our national honor is prop
| Csitiun from which no patriotic citizen
can withhold his assent.
December /, eS4 i cannot too strongly
urge the duty Of restoring our Navy as
rapidly as possible to the high state OF
| efficiency which formerly characterized IT,
Grover Cleveland.
| December g, 1885 All must admit the
! Importance of an effective Navy to ma
| tion like ours. Yet W e have not single
vessel of war that could keep the seas
| against a first-elass vessel OF any inpuT-
! tant power. Such a condition ought not
longer To continue Inc ElstLlOn iitdN tstil
| not resist aggression is constantly ex-
| posed To it. Its foreign policy is Of neces-
sity weak, and its negotiations are con-
! Quoted with disadvantage because IL is tot
| in condition to enforce the terms dictated
| by its sense of right and Justice
Benjamin Harrison.
December 8, 9,Is9I-N hen IL IS recollected
that the work of building modern Navy
was only Initiated in the year 1883, that
our naval constructors and shipbuliders
| were practically without experience IN tie
| construction of large iron and steel ships,
! that our engine shops were unfamiliar with
| great marine engines, and that the manu-
| facture OF steel forgings for guns and
| plates was almost wholly foreign In
dustry, the progress that has been made
| is not only highly satisfactory, but fur
| niShes the assurance that the United States
! VIII before long attain, in the construction
of such vessels, with their engines and
| armamentS, the same pre-eInlnence Whlch
| IL attained when the best instrument OF
ocean commerce was the clipper ship, and
| the most impressive instrument OF naval
| power the old wooden three-decker man
| of-war The officers of the Navy and the
| proprietors and engineers of oar great
| private shops have responded with wonder
| full intelligence and professional zeal 70
the confidence expressed by Congress In
| it's liberal legislation.
hSir riuhAr W Az tASsit 'stioiiA Ah ~
! completing a Navy OF the best modern
! type, large enough TO enable this country
to display its flag in all seas for the pro-
lection uf its citizens ana its extending
| commerce. II is essential 10 the dignity
! of this nation and to that peaceful in
| nuence which it should exercise on this
| hemisphere that its Navy should he ade-
| Quate, both upon the shores of the At
! lanlic and Of the Pacific.
December q, 1882 earnestly express
| the hope that the work which has made
| such noble progress may not now he
| stayed. The wholesome influence for
| peace and the incre ased sense OF Sc
| curity which our citizens domiciled in other
| lands feel when these magnificent ships
under the American flag appear, is al
ready most gratefully apparent.