The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-29

san lines upon which discussion always
proceeds ii Washington IL necessary TO
an understanding Of the other fact. that
public opinion on international subjects
Is largely made by the young officers OF
the navy. The argument that great
navy makes for peace may have its philo-
sophie grounds Of Justification. but II Is
not verified by the attitude OF the aver
age officer Ever since the reconstruc-
tion Of the navy began In the closing days
Of the administration Of President Ar
thur these young graduates Of the Naval
Academy have talked war on every posi-
BILE occasion. War has meant for them
the opportunity Of distinction. the crea-
ton Of vacancies and OF new places. ana
the means Of testing scientific theories re-
garding new explosives, patent armor
plate. and new methods OF dcploying
fighting vessels There is no doubt that
these young gentlemen have persuaded
themselves I'm perfect sincerity that a
great war would bc beneficial TO the coun-
try and increase its prestige In the coun-
sells OF the nations. The books Of Captain
Mahan regarding the Influence OF sea
power upon history. much more effective
than the works of a duller mind in just
the degree i'm which they were more forci-
bic and seemingly well reasoned. have
added fuel TO the flame and furnished
men with argument which they could
not have thought out for themselves
These officers are conspicuous IN society.
because they have time for such pursuits
which cannot bc Afforded by men Of other
occupations They influence the naval
committees Of the two houses on Con-
grcss ana they influence tho public opin-
ion of the capital, which is nothing but
an cchO Of the policy of the Administra-
ton for the time being or of its purely
partisan opponents"
The writer continues. regarding the
I blindness OF congressman TO what the
thoughtful people of the country are say
ing. thus:
"The fact that the public opinion OF
Washington society and about the corri-
dors OF the Capitol Is not the sober public
opinion Of the country seems rarely to
penetrate the mind OF the average poll
tCian or onice-holder.
Representatives in Congress might De
supposed to feel the real sentiment OF the
people in their occasional meetings with
their constituents. Not so with the man
isolated from the people i'm the White
House and surrounded only by fellow
partisans or servne sycOphants. What
ever the merits Of the boundary contro-
vcrsy in Venezuela. 10 is becoming evil
dent the President has been relying upon
tho Fictitious sentiment which surrounds
him here. lille he has acted I'm profound
ignorance of the sober Judgment Of the
misses Of the people. The readiness with
which Congress followed in his footsteps
indicates their suhservlcncy to the same
feelings and indicates how necessary ~
is that the real opinion Of the people
should not always permit itself 20 be OBJ
secured by the clamOr Of interested fac
lions or by the desire 10 make political
capital AT the expense Of the public Sc
curity"
The man isolated from the people IN
the white House" viii find out after
awhile that it would have been much
better for him n De had consulted with
the people somewhat before he put this
country into the ridiculous ana utterly
untenable position that f. now occupies.
lie viii find ont that by one false step he
has lost the confidence Of that body Of
conservative American citizens VINO look
ed up to him as a sound wise. prudent
leader and counsellor.
you may fool some Of the people all
the time and an Of the people some Of
the time, but you cannot fool an Of the
people all of the time"