Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-12-28
Imperative Need OF Coast Defencss.

The need of adequate coast defences at
any cost ought now to be apparent to
every member of Congress, whether his
constituents reside within sight of Pike S
Peak, or have property exposed to any
assault upon our senboard. This need is
so urgent and so evident that it is diff
cult to understand how any member Of
Congress or chief executive could inter
pose objection to the inauguration and
continuance Of liberal expenditure for
this purpose.
1t seems almost unnecessary to cite
opinions respecting this imperative need
Of coast Notifications. Not only have
military experts for years advocated them
but our wisest statesmen have long foI ,
seen difficulties likely to arise from
neglect of this important means of de
Tense Should the Venezuelan commits
sion report within three months time that
England has really been appropriating
unlawfully II large strip Of territory be.
longing to that American republic, that
she is planning to seize more; suppose
also, England then declares that she has a
trate and proposes to hold 1t against
Any and every country, what will the
United States do then? Will our govern
ment cowardly back down or will 1t de
clare war, II the latter, what is to hinder
Great Britain from evying tribute upon
our cities along the entire seaboard? We
do not believe all Europe combined could
put the American people under subsection.
But we do believe that in event of a
declaration of war with Great Britain
during the next year the latter country
would inllct damage almost irrcparable
cannot declare war, however just the
cause, without being held responsible for
the greatest destruction of property
known to modern times. There should
he no time lost in appropriatiug money
for this work and In securing legislation
which will provide the means 1t sounds
ineffably silly for Democratic President
who plupges the whole civilized world
into apprehension of war to assert that
there is enough revenue especially as the
government is unable to pay its legiti-
mate expenses without running In debt.
This question of coast Notifications
ought not to be a partisan one. 1t should
enlist the united effort of both the great
parties and OF the administration, what
ever its political shade may be. Eleven
years ago-Deccmber l. 1SSi-Prcsident
Arthur said To Congress in his last mes
sage:
The secretary of war submits the repor,
of the chief of engineers as to the practi-
cability of protecting our important cities
on the seaboard by Notifications and
other defenses able to repel modern
methods of attack The time has now
come when such defenses can be prepared
with confidence that they will not prov,
abortive; and, when the possible result 81
delay in making such preparation Is seri
ously considered, delay seems inexcusabie
For the most important cities thos'
whose destruction or capture would be ,
national NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. defsnses
inclusive of guns, mny be made by tb,
gradual expenditure Of $50, 900, 600; sun
much less than a victorious enemy couit
levy as contribution
A year after that the great Democrat
leader. Samuel J.. Tilden, in letter &
John G. Carlisle, then about to be mad
speaker of thu first Democratic Congees
under President Cleveland, spoke truth
which are just a. applicable today
Among other thinssA L. said:
In; oqnalaf state and manaa'