Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 October 1898 — Fitted to Rule the Sea. [ARTICLE]

Fitted to Rule the Sea.

The great triumphs of our navy in the recent war have led the American people to regard our American sailors with honor and admiration. Before the glorious victory at Manila the American people had regarded our navy as an unknown quantity; foreigners had not regarded it at all. The history of the war of 1812 ghould have taught them all better. Today they know better. They knoft that, man for man, our navy has no superior, perhaps no equal. This only in line with American traditions. In view of the fact that Americans have always showed themselves fitted to rule the sea, it is strange that the legislators of the country have so neglected and ignored the interests of American shipping. When they have Protected every other American interest, they have still left our shipping unprotected and unconsidered. And the usual result of a Free-Trade policy has followed — viz., ruin. Now that our naval triumphs have brought once more to the minds of the people the fact that Americans may be supreme on the sea if they choose, we hope that they will insist on having past pledges redeemed and will see to it that Congress gives Protection to American shipping by means of a system of discriminating duties.