Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1890-02-07

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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 the great ironclads of Eng
land hammered upon our defenses? How
long would it be before the American
flag would be seen no more upon the
high seas!
1t 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 tho national enthusiasm, doubts,
pcrplexities and fears began to show
themselves.
In the states bordering upon Canada Il
reactionary feeling became evident. I'm
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 the scene
of warfare. and whatever the issue of
the contest, their lands might bc ravislcd.
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 the seaboard cities
there Came q cry for ships that were
worthy to be called men-of- war: ships to
defend the harbors and bays; ships to
rcpel an invasion by sea. Suggestions
were innumerablc There was no time
to build. it was urged; the government
could call upon friendly nations. But
wise men smiled sadly at these sugges-
tons; it was difficult to find q nation de-
sirous Of war with England.
In the midst of the enthusiasts, the
fears and the suggestions. came reports
of the capture of American merchant
men by fast British cruisers These re-
ports made tho American people more
furious. Gle American government more
anxious.
Almsst from the beginning of this
period IT rational turmoil, a party of
gentlemen iuet daily in ono of the large
rooms in !: h,ael in New York. At first
there We're slercn Of these n,en, all from
the great Atlantic cities. but their num-
Der increased by arrivals from other
parts of the country. until ct last they
numbered twcnty-three. These gentle
men were all great capitalists. and &C.
customed to occupying themselves with
great enterprises. BY day and by night
they met together with closed doors.
until they had matured the scheme which
they had been considering. AS soon Us
this work was done, q committee was
sent to Washington. to submit plan to
the government.
These twenty-five men had formed
themselves into a syndicate. with the
object of taking entire charge of the war
between the United States and Great
Britain.
one, but the government was obliged to
treat it with respectful consideration.
The men who offered it were a power in
the land, power which no government
could afford to disregard
The plan Of the syndicate was comprc-
hensive. direct and simple. 1t offered to
assume the entire control and expense of
ft,o
within one year. AS a guarantee that
this contract would Ike properly per-
| formed. an immense sum of money
would Ike deposited in the treasury at
Washington. Should the syndicate be
unsuccessful this sum would he for
feitcd. and it would receive no pay for
anything it had done.
The sum to Ike paid by the government
to the syndicate. should it bring the war
to satisfactory conclusion. would de-
pend upon the duration of hostilities
That is to say. that as the shorter the
duration of the war. the greater would
be the benefit to the country. therefore
the larger must be the pay to the syndi-
cate. According 10 the proposed con-
tract. the syndicate would receive, if the
war should continue for a year, one
quarter the sum stipulated to be paid if
peace should be declared in three months
If at any time during the conduct of
the war by the syndicate an American sea-
port should be taken by tho enemy, or q
British force landed on any point of the
seacoast. the contract should be con-
sidered at an end. and security and pay
ment forfeited. If any point on the
northern boundary of the United States
should he taken and occupied by the
enemy. 81 100000 of the deposited Sc
curity should he forfeited for every such
occupation. out tho contract should con-
tinue.
1t was stipulated that tho land and
naval forces of the United States should
remain under the entire control of the
government. but should be maintained
as defensive force and not brought
into action unless any failure on the part
of the syndicate should render such
action necessary.
The state Of feeling in governmental
circles, and the evidences of alarm and
distrust which were becoming apparent
in congress and among the people, OK
ertcd an important influence in favor of
the syndicate. The government caught
at its proposition, not as if it were a
straw Iut as if it were a life raft. The
..ien who offered to relieve the executive
departments Of their perilOus response
bi!i;ics were men OF great ability. promi-
neit positions. and vast resources, whose
vast enterprises had already made them
known I'll over The globe. Such men
w,rr 10; likely to jeopardize their repu-
tations and fortunes in q case like this,
unless they had well founded reasons for
believing that they would he successful
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 i'll case of failure,
tho amount forfeited would so far to
repair the losses which might DO sus-
tanned by the citizens of tho various
, states.
At all events. should the syndicate be
allowed to take immediate control of the
war. there would lie time to put the
army and navy. especially the latter, in
better condition to carry on tho contest
in case of the failure of the syndicate.
Organization and construction might
still 60 on. and, should it be necessary,
tho army and navy could step into the
contest fresh and well prepared.