American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-01-17
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AND BAb~IdDRE CLIPPER.
SATURDAY MORNING, JAS. II, 1916.


ca..-.oepts for the militia, Sc, indicate iht|
the 2 ,sh government is apprchcusiYc oil war
from some quarter; but we doubt whether these
pre9a-atIons have any reference to her relations
Will the United States for she can hardly sup
ms. .l,Il, even in case of war, we shall under
take 90 send an army to her shores. Her pro-
pa-...ons may he tho result only OF wise pre-
,,aptjDns, looking to some future outbreak in
Europe; but we think it probable that they
have more particular reference to the approach
iuc change in the French government at the
death Of Louis Philippe, who is old. 1t is
impossible to say whether his death will pro-
duce an interruption to the friendly relations
which suhsst between France and England,
or whether any change whatever will take
place in the policy Of France: but il is the part
uf wisdom for England to be prepared for any
event. and it is seen that her mInisers are
taking the measures necessary for that pur-
pose The great powers Of the world have
enoved a long respite from war, excepting
Of d minor character. During this period WON
derful changes and improvements have taken
place; and war hereafter will be conducted upon
different principles and with different weapons,
from those of former times. Steam vessels;
Paixhan guns; explosive and destructive mis-
siles Of various kinds; will be substituted for
the more tedious and less injurious process
heretofore in use. The whole character Of war
has undergone change; and this change may
have rendered it more than ever necessary that
England should have additional deiences.-
The next war in Europe, or between any Eu-
ropean power and the United States, will pro-
badly draw into it most of the great powers;
and must be Of the most sanguinary and de-
strre.ve character. 1t is our policy to keep
a!oof from the struggle whenever it may occur;
and particularly to avoid commencing it. I'VE
believe that it is the disposition, as it is the
manifest interest, of England, to preserve peace
with .he United States-and it would be strange
were we not to cherish a similar feeling towards
thai country. She is prepared at all points for
war, let it come whence it may; whilst we are
wthou. adequate navy, army or means; and
must make enormous sacrifices to provide eth
or. Besides these considerations there is one
Ofst.ll greater importance in a moral view, viz:
we have no Just cause Of war with England.
She is no doubt ready and willing to settle all
disputes amcably, if our ra>hnoss do not pre-
vent such termination of the difficulties be-
tween the two countries. Let our govern
ment, then, sec to it that they do not put our
country in the wrong, Let all other means be
frs, exhausted before they plunge the nation
into al! the horrors of war.
TuE PUBLIC PRINrING. We assure tho ed
tor Of the Annapolis Herald, that what we
SAID in reference to the manner Of contracting
for the public printing, was not designed to in
terfo!e with the claims Of any Of the com
pstiLors for that work; but simply to insure jus
tice TO the State and to the printer We
contend, Notwithstanding what is said in the
Herald, that the contract per page, STIMULATING
dimensions and size of type, is the most just
mode Of having the public printing performed,
although " e admit that it may not be the chea.
pest, f1r printer may contract for the whole
Il
lie. us take take the House Journal of Procee-
dings. The printer is asked to propose TO fur
nIsh so many copies at a round sum. lie cs'
Inmates the Journal to contain so many pages
(haying reference to former proceedings,) and
makes his calculations accordingly; but, as the
Jouyna! is entirely within the control of the
House, and may be contracted or expanded at
pleasure, it must DO apparent that he cannot
make correct estimate either for himself OF
the State. 1.-THE number of pages exceed lis
calculation he will not be fairly compensa' ed
for his labor-if less, he will be overpaid and
the State must lose. Contracting by the page
will not destroy competition. 1t was tho mode
pursued in former times, and the consequence
was that Justice was done to both State and
printer. Were there but two printing Offices
in Annapolis, the proprietors could, by agree
nenc, exact exorbitant prices but there being
three or four the thing is out of the question
The State cannot desire that tho printer shall
lose by his contract but members of the Legis-
latu-e are bound to sec that the public work is
done at fair prices.
The Herald considers the illustration which
we gave, not logical We said that 10 contract
for fhe public printing in the lump at given
sum, would be as absurd as for contract to
be made for building house without designa-
ting its size, or the kind of materials of which
it was 10 be built" and to prove the happiness
ofour comparison and conclusion, the Herald
says;
eff A was to contract with B for the erection
Of a house OF given style and size, for a GER
tain sum Of money, and B was to give bond and