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INTRODUCTORY PROCEEDINGS. XXXV 
ment in favor of legislation which will be favorable to the American merchant 
marine. Wehave all sorts of things projected in the political arena of this country 
of late but the question of legislation in favor of building up the merchant marine 
should enter largely into our politics and be made a paramount issue. No healthier 
political agitation could come to this country and result in greater benefit to the 
people of the United States.”’ 
The completion of the Panama Canal is expected to increase the demand for 
Coastwise Steamships and without any doubt this should be the case, but we insist 
that all inherent rights of the United States people who are paying for this great 
enterprise shall be preserved and held inviolable; and that any treaty that can be 
conceivably construed to interfere with this position shall be abrogated. I com- 
mend to your careful consideration one of the papers on this subject which will be 
presented at this meeting. 
Permit me to quote again from another reply what seems to be a valuable hint. 
“It now looks as though the coast yards would have plenty of inquiries for vessels 
of good size. Let us hope that good horse sense will prevail so they may secure 
prices which will give them a profit. They certainly are entitled to it.”’ In other 
words, inject into your future competition the word ‘‘reasonable”’ a valuable addi- 
tion to recent legal phraseology. 
About noon on a bright clear day last July, I was crossing Spithead from Scuth 
Sea to the Isle of Wight. Our little paddle steamer was held up midway and directly 
before us passed out to sea the great British Naval Fleet that had been assembled 
the week before for review by the newly crowned King, George V. I had seen the 
Coronation Processions in London and had been deeply impressed by the stately 
dignified ceremonials. They made me feel as though there had passed before my 
eyes the historical events of centuries; but I had missed the great Royal Naval 
Review, prominent in which our own flag had been gallantly borne by the Delaware. 
The Royal Review was of battleships, cruisers, and other men-of-war at anchor, 
gayly decorated for the occasion and indeed it must have been a grand sight. But 
to me on the little paddle boat, this same Naval Fleet proceeding to sea practically 
in double column, ready for business, moving forward with solemn resistless force 
presented a far more effective sight than when dressed in gala array at anchor. 
When the last ship had passed, there stretched within our vision a huge gray 
crescent of men-of-war nearly fifteen miles long. Such a display of majesty and 
power combined I had never before witnessed and the thought came—what des- 
truction, what carnage would be possible were this great fleet to be assembled, say 
off Sandy Hook, with hostile intent. 
To relieve your minds let me say that not for one infinitesimal part of time did 
I fear the ultimate outcome; but the thought of the immediate possible outcome 
was appalling. 
A few days ago, our own naval fleet was anchored for several miles along our 
peaceful Hudson; and they in turn passed out to sea under review of the President 
of the United States and they looked good to me. I am proud of our Navy and 
