The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1889-06-14

than week the great shout of the pco-
pie was answered by declaration of war
against Great Britain.
When this had been done those who
demanded war breathed easier, but those
who must direct the war breathcd harder
1t was indeed time for hard breath
ing, but the great mass of the people
perceived no reason why this should be.
Money there was in vast abundance; i'll
every state well drilled men by thou
sands stood ready for the word to march,
and the military experience and knowl-
edge given by a great war was yet
strong upon the nation.
To the people at large the plan of the
war appeared a very obvious and Il very
simple one. Canada had given the Of
fense, Canada should be made to pay
the penalty. In a very short time 1O0, 900,
100000, 100000 men, if necessary could
be made ready for the invasion Of Can
ada. From platform, pulpit, stump and
editorial Office came the cry:
son to Canada.'
At the scat Of government, however,
tho plan Of the war did not appear so Oh
vious, so simple, Throwinga a great army
into Canada was all well enough and
that army would probably DO well enough.
But tho question which produced hard
breathing in the executive branch Of the
government was the immediate rrotcc-
ton Of the sen coast-Atlantic, Gulf, and
even Pacific. 5M%o ..
III n storm of national Indignation war
had been declared againsta power which
at this period Of her history had brought
up her naval forces to 4 point double in
strength 10 that of any other country in
the world. And this war had been de-
clared ~ a nation which, comparatively
speaking possessed no naval strength at
all.
.5 For spfalc aars the United states navy
had been steadily improving, but this
improvement was not sufficient to make
it worthy of reliance at this crisis. As
has been said, there WAS money enough,
ana every ship yard III the country could
be set to work 10 build ironclad men-of-
war, but it takes long time to build
ships, ana Englands navy was ailoat.
1t was the British keel that America Had
to fear. .m
BY means Of the continental cables it
was known that many Of the largest
mail vessels of the British transatlantic
lines, which had been Withdrawn upon
the declaration Of war, were preparing
in British ports to transport troops 10
Canada. 1t was not impossible that
these great steamers might land Al. army
in Canada before an American army
could be organized and marched 10 that
province. 1t might he that the United
States would lie forced 10 defend her
borders, instead Of invading those Of the
enemy.
In cgcry fort and navy yard all was
activity; tile hammcring OF iron went on
by day and by night, but what was to io
done when the great ironclads Of Eng
land hammered upon our defcnsess How
long would it bc before the American
dag would lc seen no more upon the
high scas:2
1t is not surprising that the govern
lncnt found its position one Of perlou5
Responsibility. y wrathtul nation OK
pccte1 Of it more than it could perform,
MI oyGr the country, however, there
were thoughtful men, not connected
with the government, WHO SAW the
periloua features OF the situation, and
day by day these grew less afraid Of
being considered traitors and more Will
ing to declare their convictions of the
couutrys danger. Despite the c0ntinu-
ancc Of the national enthusiasm, doubts,
perppxities and fears began TO show
themselves.
lii the states bordering upon Canada q
reactiOnary feeling became evident IN
less tic United States navy could pre-
vent England from rapidly pouring into
Canada, not only her own troops, but
\ perhaps those Of. allied nations, these
northern states might become the scene
of warfare, and whatever the issue OF
the contest, their lands might be ravished
their people suffer.
From many quarters urgent demands
were now pressed upon the government
From the interior there were clumors fol
troops to be massed on the northern
frontier, and from the Eeaboard cities
there came a cry for ships that were
worthy to be called lnen-of-war; ships tc
defend tho haibors and bays; ships tc
rcpcl an invasion by sea. Suggestions
were innumcrablc. There was no tim.
to build. it was urged; the government
could call upon friendly nations. Bu
wise men smiled sadly at these suggcs
tons; it was difficult to find 4 nation dc
sirous OF war with England.
In the midst of the cnthusiasms, The
fears and the suggestions, came report
OF the capture of American merchant
men by fast British cruisers. These re
ports made the American people more
furious, tho American government more
ANXIOUS
Almost from tho beginning Of thi
period of national turmoil, u party O
gentlemen met daily in ono OF the larg
rooms i'll a hotel in New York. at frs
there We're eleven Of these men, all from
the great Atlantic cities, but their mum
ber increased by arrivals from othe
parts Of the country, until at last the,
numbered twenty-three. These gentle
men were all great capitalists, and &C
crlstomed to occupying themselves Will
great enterprises. BY day and by nigh
they met together with closed doors
until they had matured the scheme whicl
they had been considering AS soon q
this work was done, committee wa
sent to Washington, to submit q plan t
the government.
These twenty-thrcc men had forme
themselves into syndicate, with tn
object of taking entire charge of the wa
between tho United States and Grea
Britain.
This proposition was an astoundin
one, but tho government was obliged t
treat it with respectful consideration
Tho men who offered it were a power i
the land, power which no governmer
could afford to disregard.
The plan of the syndicate was compr'
hensivc, direct and simple. It offered
assume the entire control and expense {
tho war, and to effect a satisfactory peac
within one year. AS a guarantee tn;
this contract would be properly pc
formed, an immense sum of none
would be deposited in the treasury 1
Washington. Should the syndicate |
unsuccessful this sum would be fo