On the record
Though the naval disparity would be less, the greater extent and more exposed condition of our widespread commerce would give any of them a like advantage over us.
Source
gutenberg.orgEditor's note · Context
Pierce explains that the vastness of U.S. commerce makes it vulnerable even to lesser naval powers.
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These considerations should allay all apprehension that we are disposed to encroach on the rights or endanger the security of other states.
If, then, in the progress of its administration there have been departures from the terms and intent of the compact, it is and will ever be proper to refer back to the fixed standard which our fathers left us and to make a stern effort to…
If it were adopted as an international rule, the commerce of a nation having comparatively a small naval force would be very much at the mercy of its enemy in case of war with a power of decided naval superiority.
We could not extricate our country from this unequal condition, with such an enemy, unless we at once departed from our present peaceful policy and became a great naval power.
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