The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1882-03-04
From our Regular Correspondent.

! 4 rum Jul AAtEutiU ODIlISpDuuGlb.l
WASHINGTON, d. c., Feb. %, 1882.
The details for the Garfield memo
rial services, which are to take place in
the Hall Of the House on Monday
next, have been completed. Cards of
admission are being distributed, three
to each senator and representative, and
one each to the members of the free
press and Senate and House employees.
Accompanying the Congressrnen's
cards are handsomely engraved invita-
tions. These form an appropriate com
panion-piece to the Garfield inaugural
invitation, and are beautiful in design.
Across the upper part the words: sin
vitation to the Garfield memorial ser
vices" 10 the centre is a large oval
surrounded by border of cypress
leaves and stars with draped flags,
containing striking likeness of the
late President. On either side are
views Of the Capitol and Executive
Mansion. On the left is the inscrip-
ton: "President March 4, 1881, aged
forty-nine years." and on the right:
" Eulogy by Hon. James G. Blaine,
House of Representatives, February
81, 1892" The invitations are signed
by Senator Sherman and Mr. William
Mckinley, chairman Of the House and
Senate Committee. The engraving and
printing was executed at the Bureau
of Engraving and Printing.
These invitations are in great de-
mand to be preserved as souvenirs, and
some Congressman object to this
meagre distribution. The programme
for the services will be strictly carried
out. The Supreme Court, which re-
convenes that day, will transact no bust
ness, but adjourn Immediately aud at
tend the ceremonies in a body. The
Senate will do likewise. The Marine
Band will be in the lobby in the rear
Of the speakers desk. During and
after the ceremonies sacred music will |
be performed. There is a great de-
mand for admission, but it has been
that there should be no crush
in the galleries.
The Committee on Naval Affairs is
ready to report bill appropriatiug
Sl0 100000 for a new navy, and the
in naval circles is that no
very heavy iron cIads will be built, but
a number of comparatively light but
very strong and swiftly sailing vessels.
The policy Of the United States would
seem to be to make our navy formida-
bic to the merchant ships of other
powers. When we have such ships as
can be built for 100000, England,
France, Spain, Germany and Norway,
the only countries that have large
interests, will hesitate long
before they appeal to the last argu-
mcnt Of nations. England is The only
country with which wc-have remote
possibility of war. We have such
wonderful advantage in the width Of
the Atlantic Ocean, and the ease with
which we could take Canada or Cuba
il. case Of war with England or Spain,
that many doubt the necessity of keep
ing up an expensive naval establish
ment. 1t would be very serious thing
for England to send her iron clad fleet
to our shores, for by so doing she
would uncover her only defence against
her ever armed and ready neighbors
on the continent. But the truth is
we need sailors more than ships, and |
the only way to secure them in album
dance is to revive American commerce.
A large number Of brawny sailors, with
nerves braced and stomachs seasoned
by long familiarity with The sea, would |
be powerful bulwark against the ma
yies of Europe. Captain Eads can
build an iron clad in month. But it
will take the United States longer than
that to make sailor.