The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1891-04-08

| pldOtb VI ItpIudIy ~, 1911 iAo Coh-
cludes his note in the following respect
ful but positive language: 81 have re-
peatedly given Baron Fava the assur-
ance that, under the direction OF the
President, all the facts and incidents
connected with the unhappy tragedy at
New Orleans on the 18th of March last,
should be most thoroughly investigated.
| have also informed him that in mat
ter Of such gravity the Government of
the United States would not permit it.
self to be hurried nor will it make an
swer to any demand until every fact es-
sential to correct judgment shall have
been fully ascertained through legal au-
thority. The impatience of the ag-
grieved may be natural, but its indulg-
ence does not always secure the most
substantial justice"
It may be depended on for certainty
that in the war of words in progress and
which may be protracted, no fears need
be maintained on the part of our coun-
try. 1t is very generally conceded, ire
spective of party affiliations, that in the
recent Behring Sea controversy with
Lord Salisbury and the willy Sir Julian
Paunceforte, Mr.. Blaine carried off the
honors. 1t is to his credit and matter
for congratulation, that some of the COR
gans" OF imperial governments in Eu-
rope are not pleased with his course in
the present matter.
The Italian government blunders in
two important particulars. In the first
place they fail utterly to comprehend
the nature of our general government
and its relation to the several State gov
ernments, or else wantonly ignore this
peculiar relation. Article 6 OF the
| Amendments to the Constitution pro-
vides that sin all criminal prosecutions
the accused shall enjoy the right to a
speedy and public trial by an impartial
Jury of the State and district wherein
the crime shall have been committed"
A small degree OF ordinary common
sense would enable any one to see that
the investigation OF the affair and the
punishment of any individuals found
guilty, is matter solely for the State OF
Louisiana to undertake, and with which
the general government has nothing to
do. Italy's second mistake is this :
When assured by Mr. Blaine that the
President has urged the authorities OF
Louisiana to make thorough investiga-
ton of the matter, and he has been in
formed that the investigation is in prog
ress it was in extremely bad taste to get
in pout and say the affair was not be-
, ing conducted in a manner suitable to
, the King of Italy. So when his Minis
ter reported the fact to Mr.. Blaine, and
signified his intention of leaving the
, country, he was politely informed that
no resistance would be offered to his de-
parturc.
There will be no war, and most prob
ably in few months the whole matter
will be amicably settled but the incl
, dent has served the purpose of bringing
, prominently before the masses OF the
: people what many thinking men have
=. long regarded as serious questions fol
= the people of the United States to con
slider.
, The first is the helpless condition o.
. our great seaports in case there should
: be a war with any Of the great powers o
Europe. Very few people have hat
7, their special attention directed to tho
: wonderful revolution that has taker
: place in matters pertaining to the arma
ment of ships, the improvement in guns
proiectiles, and all that would make wal
so terrible now. There was no little eX
element when the monitor was invent
ed, and it was great in its day but there
are guns afloat in all the principal naviei
of the world that would send sho
through any turret on our fleet OF mon
itors. The guns that once played havoc
with the old-time vessels would be a
harmless against modern battle-ship
with its 81 inches of steel armor plate, a
so many boys with pop-guns.
What has been proposed is system
= of coast defenses which in the main ha
been elaborated by Board on Fortified
tons, appointed under act OF Congress il
:, 1885. In the different European navie
: there are 1870 heavy guns of calibre su
perior to u inches, SO OF which are /
inches calibre and upward, The Ord
nance Department furnish the descriT
= ton of the gun with which We may b
:, able to keep away these monsters.
may be of interest. 'The l~ngth of tn
" proposed 10 inch gun is about 494 fee
', and the weight l25 tons. 1t will fire
y charge of about 900 pounds of powde
with a projectile of over one ton i
;, weight. The estimated muzze penetrs
ton of iron is feet, and the maximum
range about 10 miles"
N But while the question Of providin
10 adequate defenses for our coast line b
p means of sea-coast batteries and moder
n battle-ships is vital one, there is on
% other of greater significance. Perhap
A. nothing short of anxiety to secure pla'
A. tic material out of which TO mold mel
is charitable voters, has kept the two pal
"a ties so long responsible for the conduC
rs of affairs, from undertaking what ha
N been represented as the difficult matte