National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-09-02
Mr.. Hendricks and the Navy.

evidently disposed to dispute prominence
with the head. Mr.. Hendricks long ago
made good his claim to DO considered a
man Of ability. That is something he
knows Cleveland has not done and can
not do. Hence no is disposed TO fill the
public eye as much as possible, and Incl
dontally prove to his party the gross
mistake made in the arrangement Of its
ticket.
Compared with the barren schoolboy
platitudes CT Cleveland's letter of accept
ance, the speech delivered by Hendricks
at Indianapolis on Saturday is very sug-
gestive of tho difference in the mental
caliber of tho two men. The speech is
disingenuous aud misleading, but it is
the speech of man of brains able to
consider leading issues. and put con-
struction upon them favorable to his
party.
There is one part of Mr.. Hepdricks's
speech that is the very acme Of CHECK"
There is no more shameful chapter in tho
late history of the democratic party than
I'D CbutoC tV"hiu thO -hlioA'-
can navy aud our coast defenses. There
is nothing moro certain than that we
would have a navy commensurate with
the needs of tho country to-day but for
the hostility of the democratic party.
In the face of the absolute fact that his
party, on gaining control of congress ten
years ago, stopped all work onthe formida-
bic monitors then under construction,
and have ever since steadily adhered to
their policy Of preventing tho construc-
tion of new war ships, it is quite sur
prising bit of audacity in Mr.. Hendricks
to attempt to saddle the responsibility
for our present weak navy upon the re-
publican party. But Hendricks long ago
earned the characteristic sobriquet of
"Oily Cannon" in Indiana, and it would
be too much to expect him to approach
even question that should be utterly
divorced from partisan considerations in
a'spirit of candor.
Quoting and not denying Senator Har-
rison's presentation of the weak eondi-
tion Of our navy, and the utter defense-
lessness of our sea coast cities, Hendricks
asks: Who is responsible for this amazing
condition Of things? What party held
the reins of political power while the
navy was rotting down, and the coast
fortifc atoms were passing into dilapida-
| tion?
This condition Of things is not half as
amazing" as that Hendricks should
dare to put such questions before an in
telligent people. When the construction
of the monitors was begun under tho
authority of republican congress
in 1873, the vessels in question wero
designed to be fully as formidable
as anything of their class ahoat.
Democracy took control of congress in
1874 and have had control Of the national
purse ever since, with the exception OF
the period from 1881 to 1888. They re-
fused during this time to appropriate
money to finish tho monitors. or cas-
modern high-power artillery, or strength
on our coast Notifications, though the
rotten condition of the navy and the
"dilapidation of our Notifications wal
urgently represented to congress by oul
highest army and navy officers session
after session.
And when the republicans did gair
control of congress, coincidont with th'
election of Garfield, aud at once set abou
rebuilding our navy, the sole opposition
to the measure came from the democrati
party. Tho republicans appropriate
4 money to finish the monitors. Demo
Gratis alone spoke and voted agains
tho appropriation. The republican
appropriated money to construc
the steel cruisers Only democrat
were found fighting the appropria
tion. And when the present dcmocrati
house of representatives camo face t
fGce with the necessity for furnishin
money to finish these vessels, and provd
their armament. it was only democrat
that could bo found basely and meanl.
unpatriotic enough ito refuse to buy tn
cannon necessary to render the stec
cruisers effective as vessels of war.
Mr.. Hendricks says the democrati
party looks with shame and humiliation
upon our present miserable navy, an
resakas win anSiety our uhPro'ec'e
seaooara. IL no ID right inc party mu'
DO dreadtuiiy ashamed oi the men wh
represent 1t in the present congress, an
the aegFee OF hum''iation WIN "nich
eohtempiates sucn eminent democrats
samuel D. hahuaii' Samuei eunSe' oo'
Gnnatnr nnoI nInnnf .
senator James W. bech' niouh''
: ueorgia' ana o'herS Oh its leaders
congress nhuSs Do narrowing IN 'he eA
IRENE for " Is notorious notorious, 'ha' put 10
months aso VI. .n0 ,epuo''oan ., sena'o ~ pass