Speech #630306846

Speaker. the -great question of the War of 1812 was dhe problem of free ships and free trade. the question of the United States Government having a right to sail its ships with full and untrammeled authority on those ships In all the ports -of the world. in the final settlement that we got out of that war we -did not get the rights and privileges that we thought -we were entitled to when we began the War of 1812. Thetreaty of Ghent -was a compromise. Now. the question -comes -up again as .to Whether we have the -right not only to accept foreign isailors and naturalize -them. and meet the whole world and prevent them from impressing those sailors into their service. but whether we" have -the further right to register .foreign -ships under our flag. to send ithem forth -under the protection of this country. supported by :the naval power of -this country. If this :bill is passed. that comlilicatedquestion cones up. I am willing to meet that under the circumstances and the.emergency *that exists. I nth willing tto agree to the proposition that a foreignbuilt shipthat is older .than five years mayn come under American registry. I do .not care how old a ship is that comes under American registery. if it Isn goodrship. if .it is able togo over the sea with sifety to :passengers. and ifit is worthy of American registry. But it is :here proposed to -pass a permanent law providing that hereafter. :for all time :to come. or until this act is repealed. we shill -not ronly irecognize the principleof foreign officers and -foreign crews on .ourships. but give to the President of the United States the right. -.without the -consent of Congress. -whenever be deems It tright and proper. to waive the rules and regulations requiring the -watch officers :to be either nativeborn -or naturalized .Amerl.can citizens. I do not -believe we ought -for .one moment :to permit foreign .dfficers to take charge of -vessels in the American merchant .marine. .I do -not think -we ought to pass an :amendment proViding for that at aniv time. But they say that this is an -emergency. that the -existing :conditions require It. and that under the circumstances we should support it. and that it will -be unpatriotic if -we do fnot:support it.