The Florida agriculturist., 1889-03-20

G1IdO UllGy WOCuQ U0 6uCCSSSIu1e
Even the largest amount stipulated to be
paid them in case Of success would be
less than the ordinary estimates for the
military and naval operations which had
been anticipated; and in case Of failure,
the amount forfeited would go far to
repair the losses which might be sus-
tanned by the citizens of the various
states.
At all events, should the syndicate be
allowed to take immediate control Of the
war, there would be time to put the
army and navy, especially the latter, in
better condition to carry on the contest
in case of the failure of the syndicate
Organization and construction might
still go on, and, should it be necessary,
the army and navy could step into the
contest fresh and well prepared.
All branches of the government united
in accepting the offer Of the syndicate.
The contract was signed, and the world
waited to see what would happen next.
The influence which for years had been
exerted by the interests controlled by the
men composing the syndicate had it's
effect in producing popular confidence
in the power of the members of the syn
dicate to conduct war as successfully
as they had conducted other gigantic
enterprises. Therefore, although predic-
tions of disaster came from many quar-
ters, the American public appeared will
ing to wait with but moderate impatience
for the result of this novel undertaking.
The government now proceeded to
1% ~ os7o%c +lr)
northern frontier; forts were supplied
with men and ornaments; all coast de-
fenses were put in the best possible con-
dition; the navy was stationed at impor-
tant ports, and work at the ship yards
went on. But, without reference to all
this, the work of the syndicate immedi-
ately began.
This body of men were of various pol
itics and of various pursuits in life. But
politics were no more regarded in the
work they had undertaken than they
would have been in the purchase Of land
or of railroad iron. No manifestoes of
motives and intentions were issued to
the public. The syndicate simply went
to work. There could be no doubt that
early success would be direct profit to
it, but there could also be no doubt that
it's success would be a vast benefit and
profit, not only to the business enter
prises in which these men were severally
engaged, but to the business of the ewhole
country To save the United States from
a dragging war, and to save themselves
from the effects of it, were the prompt
ing motives for the formation Of the syn
dicate.
Without hesitation, the syndicate de-
termined that the war in which it was
about to engage should be one of defense
by means of offense. Such awar must
necessarily be quick and effective; and
with all the force of their fortunes, their
minds and their bodies, its members
went to work 10 wage this war quickly
and effectively.
All known inventions and improve
nlents in the art of war had been thor
oughly considered by the syndicate and
by the eminent specialists whom it had
enlisted IN its service. Certain recently
perfected engines of war, novel in ma
ture, were the exclusive property of
the syndicate. 1t was known or sur
missed in certain quarters that the syndi-
cate had secured possession of important
warlike inventions, but what they were
and how they acted was Il secret care
fully guarded and protected.
The first step of the syndicate was to