Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-03-13

was enough! No matter whether the Eliza Drum was within the three mile limit or not! No matter which vessel fired first! If it were the Lennehaha, the more honor to her; she ought to have done it! From platform, pulpit, stump and editorial office came one vehement, passionate shout directed toward Wash ington.
 Congress was in session, and in its halls the fire roared louder and blazed higher than on mountain or plain, ill city or prairie. No member of the government, from president to page, ventured to op- pose the tempestuous demands of the people. The day for argument upon the exciting question had been long and weary one, and it had gone by. In less than a week the great shout of the peo- 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 breathed harder.
 It was indeed time for hard breath ing, but the great mass of the people perceived no feason why this should be. S1oney there was in vast abundance; in every state we'll drilled men by thou sands stood ready for the word to march, and the military experience and knowl- edge given by great war was yet strong upon the nation.
 To the people at large the plan of the war appeared very obvious and a very simple one. Canada had given the of- fense, Canada should be made to pay the penalty. In very short time 100 ,OO0, e00,000, 500, ,O00 men, if necessary, could be made ready for the invasion of Can ada. From platform, pulpit, stump and editorial office came the cry:
 "On to Canada!"
 Atthe seat of government, however, the plan of the war did not appear so obvious, SO simple. Throwing great army into Canada was all well enough, and that army would probably do we'll enough. But the question which produced hard breathing in the executive branch of the government was the immediate protec- ton of the sea coast-Atlantic, Gulf, and even Pacific.
 In a storm of national indignation war had been declared against power which at this period of her history had brought up her naval forces to point double in strength to that of any other country in the world. And this war had been de- clared by a nation which, comparatively speaking, possessed no naval strength at all.
 For some years 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, and every ship yard in the country could be set to work to build ironclad men-of- war, but it takes long time to build ships, and England's navy was afoat. It was the British keel that America had to fear.
 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 to Canada. It was not impossible that these great steamers might land an army in Canada before an American army could be organized and marched to that province. It might be that the United States would be forced to defend her borders, instead of invading those of the enemy.
 In every fort and navy yard all was activity; the hammering of iron went on by day and by night, but what was to be done when tho great ironclads of England hammered upon our defenses: How long would it be before the Amer ican flag would be seen no more upon the high seas?
 It is not surprising that the govern ment found its position one of perilous responsibility. A wrathful nation ex- pected of it more than it could perform
 All over the country, however, there were thoughtful men, not connected with the government, who saw the perilous 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 country's danger. Despite the continu- ance of the national enthusiasm, doubts, perplexities and fears began to show themselves.
 In the states bordering upon Can ada a reactionary feeling became evident. Un- less the 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 tho 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 clamors for troops to be massed on the northern frontier, and from tn, seaboard cities there came a cry for ships that were worthy to be called men-of-war: ships to defend the harbors and bays; ships to repel an invasion by sea. Suggestions were innumerable There was no time to build, it was urged; the government could call upon friendly nations. But wise men smiled sadly at these sugges- tions; it was difficult to find nation de- sirous of a war with England.
 In the midst of the enthusiasms, the fears, and the suggestions, came reports of the capture of American merchant men by fast British cruisers. These re- ports made the American people more c. Al.