The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-04-02

will prove amply sufficient in any emer-
gency which may arise; but we do need
powerful navy, and in the construction
OF this the power of velocity should be
carefully considered and applied. Not a
vessel, either large or small, should be
built without the intention OF obtaining
the highest possible rate of speed, as we'll
as the greatest velocity of its projectiles.
For harbor defense no unwieldy float
ing battery should be constructed, but
vessels of the highest rate OF speed, car
rylng the most powerful armament pos
slble. and capable of striking blow
across the Atlantic or Pacific, or any
where on either ocean.
with navy liise this, OF sufficient
magnitude, and an interoceanic canal, we
would have no need of coast Notifications.
Perhaps, on a few selected points, it
might be well 10 establish few guns of
such weight and caIiber that they could
not be carried OH anything which floats
guns whose projectiles could reach yes
sells before they We're within effective
striking distance of the point intended 10
be guarded.
Probably even these would be useless,
because our navy would so edectualIy
protect our harbors that no enemy could
come within reach OF our maritime cities.
The cost OF constructing and MAIN
tanning such navy would be consider
power IS compared with that OF stand
ing army lor with our resources, the cost
would be trit1Ing in proportion 10 the
benefit which WOULD be derived
it'll such navy we could lay back
compiacenuy, and patiently await the
coming OF the millennium. No force on
earth would dare 10 be aggressive toward
us. The knowledge that we possessed
such power W0ulC protect our citizens
abroad and our territory at home, and
perhaps enable us, by an indication OF
our desires TO other nations, TO protect
those who might otherwise be COM
PEELED To submit TO oppression.
Possibly the exhibition OF such be-
nlgnant power would help to Christianize
the world and hasten the coming OF the
time when nations shall live like neigh
bors, unarmored and unarmed. only com
peting with each other in doing good to
all mankind.
although an apparent foe to pre-
cedent, as an established governing force,
am not averse to the appropriation OF
all the wisdom which history and the
past has taught and should teach us, and
II there are any who doubt the policy OF
our Government in constructing the most
powerful navy which tioats-perhaps not
III number OF vessels, but in power OF
speed and velocity of projectiles and III
| concentrated effectiveness would refer
them 10 the history of little England.
With an insignificant territory at home
she has for centuries maintained . position
among nations as Il urSt-claSS power. /
have heard some assert that il is because
OF her wealth, but who is there with or
binary intelligence who does not believe
that if her navy could be taken away
| from her she would at once sink back
| into position lower than q third-class
power? All of her vast colonial posses
sions could then neither save nor help
her.
"England's strength lies in her navy.
Destroy that and she would be as com
paratively powerless as Samson was
with the seven locks Of his head shaved
off, OLD CRANK.