Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1893-10-07
ads From platform, pulpit, stump and
editorial office came the cry:
ION to CanadaI''

At the seat of government, however,
the plan Of the war did not appear SO OBJ
vious, SO simple. Throwing great army
into Canada was all well enough. and
hatarmy 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 tho sea coast-Atlantic. Gulf, and
even Pacific.
In storm Of national indignation war
had been declared against power which
at this period OF her history had brought
up her naval forces to point double in
strength to that of any other country in
the world. And this war had been de-
clared by nation which, comparatively
speaking, possessed no naval strength at
all.
For some years the United states navy
had been steadily improving. but this
improvement was not sufficient to make
it worthy of reliance at this crisis. As
has been said, there was money enough,
and every ship yard in the country could
be set to work to build ironclad men-of-
war. but it takes a long time to build
ships, and Englard's navy was afioat
1t was the British keel that America had
to fear.
| By means of the continental cables it
was known that many of the largest
mail vessels of the British transatlantic
lines, which had been withdrawn upon
the declaration of war, were preparing
in British ports to transport troops to
Canada. 1t was not impossible that
these great steamers might land an army
| in Canada before an American army
could be organized and marched to that
province. 1t might be that the United
States would be forced to defend her
borders, instead of invading those of the
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 DO 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 the national enthusiasm, doubts,
perplexitics and fears began to show
themselves.
In the states bordering upon Canada
reactionary feeling became evident. IN
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 for
troops to be massed on the northern
frontier, and from the seaboard cities
there came a cry for ships that were
worthy to he called men-of-war; ships to
defend tho harbors and bays; ships to
repel 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 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
furious, tho American government more
anxious.
Almost from the beginning of this
period of national turmoil, a party of
gentlemen met daily in one of the large
rooms in hotel in New York. At first
there were eleven Of these men, all from
the great Atlantic cities, but their num-
Der increased by arrivals from other
parts of the country, until at last they
numbered twenty-three. These gentle
men were all great capitalists, and ac-
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 as
this work was done, committee was
sent to Washington, to submit plan to
the government.
These twenty-three men had formed
themselves into a syndicate, with the
object Of taking entire charge of the war
between the United States and Great
Britain.
This proposition was an astounding
one, but the government was obliged to
treat it with respectful consideration.
The men who offered it were power in
the land, power which no government
could afford to disregard.
The plan of the syndicate was compre-
hensive, direct and simple. 1t offered to
assume the entire control and expense of
the war, and to effect satisfactory peace
within one year. AS guarantee that
this contract would be properly per-
formed, an immense sum of money
would be deposited in the treasury at
Washington. Should the syndicate be
unsuccessful this sum would be for
feited, and it would receive no pay for
anything it had done.
The sum to be 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 to the proposed con-
tract, the syndicate would receive, if the
war should continue for year, one
quarter the sum stipulated to be paid if
peace should be declared in three months.
II at any time during the conduct of
the war by the syndicate an American sea-
port should be taken by the enemy, or
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 be taken and occupied by the
enemy. 81, 000, 900 of the deposited Sc
curity should be forfeited for every such
occupation, but the contract should con-
tinue.
It was stipulated that the land and
naval forces Of the UAited 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