National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-05-20
COAST DEFENSE.

To the Editor OF THE REpUBLIcAN:
have the honor to respectfully submit for your
favorable consideration u subject OF paramount
importance. II is conceded by the best authorities
that I'm the event of foreign war the cities Of
your State accessible 10 an enemy's iron.clads
would undoubtedly be destroyed, rs this Govern.
ment has virtually neither ship nor fort Elk.
perienccd members of Congress admit that 1t is
impossible to appropriate the vast sums of money
necessary to build an effective navy and construct
modern coast deienSes. This is attributable 10
the demoralizng effects of political warfare aud
the deceptive but aliuring doctrine of perpetual
peace. II is proven
ON EVERY PAGR or HISTORY
that war is inevitable-it Is the heritage Of ON
pires-and our own experience has demonstrated
that we were not prepared for the war of 1872 aud
that tho great rebellion was precpitnted upon II
surprised Nation. "In time OF peace prepare for
war" The only nation on the earth whose in.
terests are in the highest degree identical with
ours Is Great Britain, and tho preservation of
amicable relations would result in mutual I'D
vantages Of inestimable value. But IL has been
foundry historical experience that this identity
of Interests this close relationship, this family
friendship. naturally results in rivalry, which.
like domestic feuds, engenders resentment. anger,
and yindictiye war.
1T IS USELESS TO SPECIFY
the multitude of insults and injuries which have
been heaped upon this Nation by the arbitrary
power Of Great Britain every school boy knows
them by heart aud, cinching his little fist Is lost
in wondermert. What more, alas can the pa.
ulOuC CluLeH uOg Inc present COnuluOn OF III
fairs is easily told. This Nation is practically de-
fenseless, and ut the mercy OF powerful cunning,
and INSCRIPTIONS rival! more serious aud
alarming situation cannot be conceived, and en-
dangers the prosperity and happiness of fifty mil
lions of people Proud of their rights, they are,
when imposed upon, easily goAded TO the des.
peratc remedy of war by the sinister acts of n
willy and disguised adversary. Prudence, IL not
patriotism, therefore, demands that some imme.
date action be taken.
AS coNGREss WILL DO NOTHING
the great duty Of terrifying the coast Is relocated to
the maritime States in their sovereign capacity. !
therefore earnestly invite you and the Legislature
to make provision for the protection Of your ex.
posed cities. and respectfully suggest that FORTH
cation l3nn, ut low Interest, bu raised, which the
General Government will gladly assume when 1t
takes possession OF the forts upon the breaking
out of hosiilities. The chief Of engineers who has
repeatedly warned the Nation of It's danger, would
most willingly furnish the plans for these de.
lenses. and upon their completion they could be
utilized and garrisoned by State military schools.
In regard to the most approved guns am conf
dent that the chief of ordnance, in his personal IL
not official capacity, will cordially give every
sstance, as he is devoted To the service, and the
guns recommended by him will ultimately become
the properly of the general government.
WILLIAM HENRY CONKLING.
To the Governors and Legislatures ofStates border
ing on the ocean and the great lakes.