Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1856-02-29

BEas~ We feel inclined to say something that will
look extravagan, but which is not quite so extrava
CANT after all We feel like wishing that instead Of
twenty-our millions Of surplus gold in the treasury,
we had twenty four millions worth of we'll built and
welI-armed war steamers fit for immediate service
In event of difficulty with Great Britain, they would
be very soon manned by the best sailors of the coun-
try. Were these steamers afoat we would hear less
of British insoence less of buster in the Times and
of high words on the part of Lord Clarendon & Co.
1t has got to come to this, we most certainly be-
lieve 1t will have to be done in face of war raging
upon coasts, unless it be done before, and then
will rage. The bullying nsolence of the
British olfgarchy is based upon the dea too well
founded of our want of preparation. We do not at
tach much Importance to ere newspaper talk
The Thunderer" like other papers, feels the neces-
sy of spicy talking, at times but speeches in Par
Lament, official statements and, above ALL percept-
ible depression in the English Funds, show that the
alkedof rupture with this country is not talk.
1t is matter of serious considerations has as
sumed the character of actual menace and it comes
at juncture of affairs very similar to that which
lead to similar event in 1912 BY tremendous ex-
ertions the British army has been largely increased
and put in state Of efficiency far beyond any point
which it has reached since the pacifcation of Europe
in 1915, while the naval arm, useless against Russia
whose marine, military or commercial is merely NOM
fnaI, positively gigantic, and would be terribly de-
structive when turned against the immense commerce
and undefended coast of the United States, studded
as it is with great commercial Cities the seats of in
dustry, wealth and capital. Immense munitions of
have been collected, and preparations made for
IL Il
conclusion of peace, will be rendered useless for that
purpose but easily disposabe for action upon anoth-
er field. 1t this state of things that leads the Brit
sh Cabinet into the assumption OF its present tone
and of this state of things the United States cannot
fail to take cognizance without being guilty of will
ful blindness, and the most reckless faulty.
The two nations being drifted into war by the
arrogance of Great Britain. Nothing can check that
arrogance but the certainty that the United States are
prepared to repel any attack. Nothing can prevent
that attack, if made, from resulting in terrible loss of
property, and of everything else, the immediate
expenditure of sufficient amount to put means
of offence and defence upon respectful lie footing
That the energies of the country, once fairly
brought into play would bring her out triumphant
no one can doubt-that the ultimate result wond be
the loss of every foot of territory which Great Britain
holds i'll the western hemisphere we feel assured
But is equally certain that, account of our pre-.
sent state of unpreparedness. amount of property
would be sacrificed to which the cost of preparation
would be but a drop in the bucket
We are no alarmist-but are not these things so
Is it plain that war, if not imminent, is exceed
ngly prcba5le-that this probability is increased al
most TO certainty by the preparedness of England and
/ +bo of fho Tn;+
unpreparedness wrong in the face of the facts and
that it ought not 10 continue
Will Congress fight and squabble, or will it take
action for the safety of the country! Will it be
the test of Amercanism to come down on one class
of the citizens of the Republic, or to take measures
to secure the honor and the interests of all !!