Los Angeles herald., 1908-04-28
DEMOCRATIC NAVY

HIDEON wELLES, secretary Of the
In navy in 1862, said in his report;
VI 1.-THE time has arrived when, In
order to maintain ourselves and our
true position as nation, we must have
q formidable navy, not only of light
draught vessels to guard our extensive
and shallow coast, but one that. with
vessels always ready for the service and
of sufficient size to give them speed,
can seek and meet an enemy on the
ocean. In order to obtain the enormous
steam power essential to great speed
we must havo vessels of the greatest
magnitude. Vessels of wood will al
ways be built, but the causes that have
operated to retard the introduction of
iron vessels are disappearing. The
working of iron has been much simpli-
fled; it's application facilitated; new
tools and machinery for working 1t are
constantly being invented and i'm
proved; artisans skilled in it's many
manufactures are becoming more COM
mon, and the material more easily
ders it certain that iron will hereafter
enter largely into the structure of ves-
sells for marine service, although it will
never entirely supersede wood. Our
country produces the material in abun-
dance and we have no occasion to seek
ii from abroad. While our forests are
disappearing, inexhaustible resources
in iron are being developed.
"The war found us literally destitute
of materials in our navy yards. as well
as with but a few ships to sustain the
national integrity. From mistaken
economy or from design the government
was, in it's need, deficient in ships and
destitute of material for their construc-
ton. AS vessels of wood will
always be used to some extent for
naval purposes, and as they can, for
the present at least, be constructed
wise economy to have reasonable
quantity of timber always in store"
In spite of the warnings and proph-
ecies Of Secretary Welles, the govern
ment at the close of the great war re-
lapsed into a spirit of careless indiffer-
ence with regard to the navy. During
the long Republican era of power it
gradually disappeared. A Democratic
administration found the country with
out naval protection. A Democrat,
William c. Whitney, the greatest Sec
retary of the navy in modern American
l. hn
struction of the new fleet, some typ
ioal representatives of which have been
visiting us. And the Republican gov
ernment, which, in spite of the warning
of Secretary Welles, let the fleet perish
and treated the hard-won naval pres
worthy of consideration than an old
song, is now engaged in an unworthy
occupation which unhappily character
ICES Republicanism, is in fact Its dis
tinguishing characteristic, and is claim
ing the planning and building of the
fleet.
Do not be deceived. (This ADVICE
applies especially to younger voters,
who will hear a great many Repub-
lican stump speakers making all kinds
of preposterous claims with regard to
the conception and origin of the new
navy.) Do not be deceived. Read his
tory. Satisfy yourselves that to the
foresight and genius of William Collins
Whitney, Democrat, the United States
owes its glorious navy. And vote the
Democratic ticket, remembering that If
there were not strong evidence in favor
of a prior title the Grand Old Repub-
licans and sinners would claim the cre-
a.ion of the world.