The Meridional. (Abbeville, La.) 1856-1906, 1892-04-09
FROM THE CAPITAL.

TIE session of Congress just pre-
ceding presidential campaign gena
orally fails to accomplish much im-
portant legislation, and the present
one promises to be no exception.
While the silver question is not a
party issue, large majority of tie
advocates of free coinage are Demo.
Gratis, especially in the House, whefa
the Silver States. though Republi.
can, have small representation.
Raising the issue at this time there.
fore is likely to worry the Demos
Gratis a great deal more than ii does
or can the Republicans. . In the
Senate there are no less than six
Presidential aspirants, two Repbli.
cans, Cullom and Allison, and four
Democrats, Palmer, Hill, German
and Carlisle, who would prefer not
to face the question just now. Even
President Harrison, whose views on
the subject are so well known, does
not want to be called upon to veto
a Silver bill, right on the eve of the
Minneapolis convention. But all will
have to face the music. There is no
reasonable doubt of the passage, Of
the bill through both houses. It is
quite as strong proportionally in the
Senate as IN the lower house. az
there the Western Silver States have
their greatest voting strength. A
vigorns effort is being made among
eastern Democrats to secure inac-
ton, but it is not likely to meet with
success, especially in the House. The
son!y possible chance for postpone.
.inent is in the Senate, where mum.
Der oil silver Democrats may be in
duced to vote to deter until next
session, though this is not at all pro,
bable.
Another war cloud, somewhat
larger than mans hand, and even
more portentious than The late Chi.
lian dispute, now looms up on the
horizon. There is quite a strong
probability that Uncle Sam NAV
have ultimately to fight for the pro-
lection Of his seals in BehriDg sea.
There is a great unanimity Of
opinion as to what would be the
Outcome of a war with Great Brit
ian, should one occur. I'VE have
licked the British twice" it is gem
orally said, land we can do it again"
There is good deal Of inconsider.
ate bragadocia about this, yet it il
probably true. But ii is we'll tu
cansider how much better prepared
for war England is to-day than we
are aud what immense damage she
could at least do to our Maratiins
Commerce, to our seaboard cities.
and to the commerce and cities upon
the great lakes. Gen. Boynton has
lately had a series of articles in the
Washington Post showing what pre-.
parations Great Britain has made
and is making for offensive operae
tons on our northern border. Great
canals are being constructed througlr
which England's immense war ships
can pass from the st. Lawrence into
he upper lakes. A line of naval
posts Of great strength has been
established facing our entire Atlan
ic coast from Halifax to Jamatra.
70 addition to this q naval statinn
has been established on the Pacific
commanding the entrance to Puget
sound aud lying between our pos.
sessions on that coast. All thess
preparations, says Boynton, which
nave been planned and pushed for.
ward with great vigor during tls,
past five years, look much further
nto the future than the eimple DE-
ense of Canada. Along the sans
inc is the interview published last
saturday with Gen. Miles calling
'ttention TO the really defenseless
Of this country as against
my well equipped Naval power.
The General believes that in lhoss
lays OF dynamite, electricity, ma
hine guns and similar modern
ngines Of war The American fae.
hat there is time enough to pre-.
are for war when it comes is nos
to be sadly slipped up
ooner or later. In this country wy
% not like to think of war, or pro.
,ida for ifs nnssihla coming hnf ax