Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1890-11-01

OSldllSu dCGOG1lS vi LAit stlldlT CdIuE
rapidly, but there was nothing in them
to quiet the national indignation. The
! American flag had been hauled down bv
Englishmen. an American naval vessel
had been fired into and captured; that
was enoughl No matter whether the
Eliza Drum was within the three mile
limit or not! No matter which vessel
fred first! If it were the Lennehaha.
the more honor to her; she ought to
hsve done it! From platform, pulpit,
Sum and editorial Office came one We
heru-t, passionate shout directed to-
ward Washington.
Congress was in session, and in its halls
the fire reared louder and blazed higher
THAI on mountain or plain, in city or
prs' IL. No member Of the government,
fro president to page, ventured to OPP
pose the tempestuous demands of the
people. The Gay for argument upon the
exciting question had been a long and
weary one, and it had gone by. In less
than a week the great shout Of the peo-
pie YVES answered by declaration Of wal
against Great Britain.
When this had been done those who
demanded war breathed easier. but those
who must direct the war l?reathed 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. III
ever 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 larg" The plan of the
war appeared very obvious and a veIy
simple one. Canada had given the Of
Tense, Canada should be made to pay
the penalty. In very short time 100000
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:
| "On to Canada"
At the seat of government, however
the plan of the war did not appear so Oh
vious, SO simple. Throwing great army
into Canada WAS all well enough, anG
that army would probably DO well 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 wal
had been declared against a power whi"i
at this period Of her history had brought
mp her naval forces to point double in
strength to that Of any other country il
the world. And this war had been dc.
clared by nation which, comparatively
speaking, possessed 10 naval strength az
all.
For some years the United states navy
had been steadily improving, LUt TIKI
improvement was not sufficient TO make
it worthy Of reliance at this crisis. AZ
has been said, there was money enough,
and every ship yard in the country could
be set to WORK to build ironclad mcn-of
war, but it takes a long time to build
ships. and Englards Eayy was atioat.
1t was the British keel that America had
to fear. IN
By means of the continental cables ii
was known that r1any of t,o largest
mail vessels Of the British fry -' ,tlantic
lines, which had been wl,lra.t1 n
the declaration of war, were preparing
in British ports to transport troops to
Canada. 1t was not impossible thai
these great steamers might land an armg
il Canada before an Asnerican army
could be organized and marched to that
province. 1t might lie that the United
States would be forced to defend her
borders, instead CT invading those Of the
enemy.
In every fort and navy yard all was
activity; the hammering OF iron went oil
by day and by night, but what was to lie
done when the great ircnclads of Eng
Land hammered upon oar defenscs? low
long would it be before the American
flag would be seen TO more upon the
high seas?
1t is not surprising that the govern
ment found its position enc Of perilous
responsibility. A wrathful nation ex-
pected OF it moro than il could perform.
All over the country, however. there
We're thoughtful men. not connected
with the -overnmsnt. who saw TIC
peruCus features of The Situation, end
day IT, day these grew lc.s afraid d
being considered traitors &I.I more viii
ing to declare their convictions Of The
country's danger. Despite the ccntinu-
ance of the national enthusiasm. doubts,
pcrpleXities and fears began to show
themselves.
In the states bordering upon Canada q
reactionary feeling became evident. Tn
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 be ravished
their people suffer.
From many quarters urgent demands
were now pressed upon the government.
From the interior there were clamors fo1
troops to be massed on the northern
frontier, md from the seaboard cities
there came cry for ships that were
worthy to be called men-of-war; ships tc
defend the harbors and bays; ships tc
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-
tons; it was difficult to find 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 the American people more
tJlrI01Ic fI,a A