Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-12-09
hat great body Of sturdy sailors who

that great body Of sturdy sailors who
used to carry our flag into every sea,
and who were the pride and often the
bulwark Of the nation. we have almost
driven out of existence by inexcusable
neglect and Indifference and by hope
lessly blind and provincial policy Of
SO called economic protection. 1t is
high time we repaired our mistake and
resumed our commercial independence
on the seas.
For it Is a question Of independence.
If other nations go to war or seek to
hamper each others commerce orr
merchants, it seems. are at their mer-
cy to do with as they please. We must
use their ships and use them as they
determine. We have not ships enough
Of our own. We cannot handle our
own commerce on the seas Our indie
pendence is provincial. and is only on
land and within our own borders. We
are not likely to be permitted to use
even the ships Of other nations in RI
valry Of their own trade and are with.
out means to extend our commerce
even where the doors are wide open
and our goods desired. Such Il situa-
ton is not to be endured. 1t Is Of CAPT
tai Importance not only that the Unit
ed States should be its own carrier on
the seas and enjoy the economic indie
pendence which only an adequate
merchant marine would give it. but
also that the American hemisphere as
n w G
ence and self su1iiciency. if it is not
to be drawn into the tangle Of Euro
pean affairs. Without such independ.
ence the whole question of our poit-
ical unity and self determination Is
very seriously clOuded and complicated
indeed.
Moreover, we can develop no true or
effective American policy without ships
or our own-not ships of war, but
ships Of peace, carrying goods and car
rylng much more; creating friendships
and rendering Indispensable services to
all interests on this side the water.
Ihey must move constantly back and
forth between the Americas. They are
the only shuttles that can weave the
delicate fabric Of sympathy. compre-
henslon. confidence and mutual de-
pendence In which we wish to clothe
our policy OF America for Americans
The task Of building up an adequate
merchant marine for America private
capital must ultimately undertake and
achieve, as 1t has undertaken and
achieved every other like task among
rs In the past. with admirable enter
prise. intelligence and vigor and 1t
seems to me manifest dictate of wis
dom that we should promptly remove
every legal obstacle that may stand in
the way OF this much to be desired re-
vival of our old independence and
should facilitate in every possible way
the building. purchase and American
registration Of ships. But capital can
not accomplish this great task of a
sudden. 1t must embark upon 1t by
degrees. as the opportunities of trade
develop. Something must be done ut
once, done to open routes and develop
opportunities where they are as yet
undeveloped, done to open the arteries
Of trade where the currents have not
yet learned to run. especially between
the two American continents. where
they are. singularly enough. yet to be
created and quickened, and 1t IL cvi-
dent that only the government can I'M
dertake such beginnings and assume
the initial financial risks. When the
risk has passed and private capital be-
gins to find its way in sufficient alum
dance into these new channels the gov