The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1898-12-20
VALUE OF NATIVE SHIPPING,

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ways bear repetition. that there Is no
single industry which is the produo, OF
80 many different industries as ship
building. 1t has been computed that sev.
erl hundred trades are interested m
and contribute to the construction OF
ship. from the turning over OF the vlr.
gin ore IN the mine, the timber in the
forests or the coal In the earth, to the
weaving OF the bunting out Of which the
nag that floats at her stern is made.
This Is Infinitely truer in these days OF
steel steamships. But the knowledge is
no secret. 1t was known centuries ago,
but 81 was never better said than by
Thomas jefferson in his famous report to
congress. in 1893, on the privileges and
restrictions on the commerce OF the
United States for foreign countries" as
follows:
ITS value. as branch OF industry. is
enhanced by the dependence Of 50 many
other branches upon IT. In times OF gen
eral peace 1t multiplies competitors for
employment in transportation. and so
keeps that at its proper level; and In
time Of war that is TO say, when those
nations which are our principal carriers.
shah be at war with each other. II we
have not within ourselves the means OF
transportation our products mus, be
transported in bellIgerent vessels. at the
Increased expense OF war freight and in
surance. and the articles which win not
bear thar must perish on our hands"
Had Great Britain and France become
smbrOiled in war over the Egyptian quss-
tsou. as az one time seemed imminent.
the truth would have been forced home
TO Us in a manner as unpleasant as II
would have been expensive The nations
Of Europe. and principally Great Britar.
are the great shipbuilders and shipOwn-
ers for the worlds foreign carrying. They
are the nations which are ever on the
verge Of war. Europe, It has well been
said. is an armed camp. Great Britain.
we knew. bristles with warships and guns. |
as a pOrcupine does with quilts A fash,
and the whole may at any time become
involved in the mos, devastating war Of
history. while the destruction OF ship
ping would be sonething frigh:ful. a
blow from which the world would be de-
cades and perhaps centuries in fully re-
covering. especially If prolonged.
There is no such danger constantly
menaeing the United States. Were it our
ships that did our own and large pro-
portion Of the worlds carrying trade, as
indeed It might be- considering our re-
sources. the skill OF our shipbuilders and
the vast wealth OF our people, the danger
that threatens the worlds commerce
whenever European war seems immi-
nent would not exist
From every point OF view. OF national
resources. OF demonstrated ability, OF
vast foreign commerce to carry and a
larger one assured. OF situation and con-
ditlon. everything invites us to become
self-reliant and wholly self-independent
III HldkNNA VI hANAHAAeAAA aAAARRAAbs AAt
United States may well be compared with
a great modern steamship. today. with
everything in readiness for the voyage.
everything in its place. a perfect ship in
construction and equipment, laden with
argosies Of commerce and for which the
world is eager. there is but one thing
lacking to put motion into the structure.
The hand that can turn that lever and
overcome the inertia OF that powerful
fabric may demand and will be sure to
receive from the American people what
ever its owner may wish. Who shall it
bea
Chamberlain's Collie. Cholera and Dl-
arrhoea Remedy can always be depended
upon and is pleasant and safe to take
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