Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1896-03-23

possibility of relying upon navy
alone as a means of defense, and not
withstandlng her immense naval su-
premacy she is continually strength
ening her coast defenses, notably
those on this continent at Halifax and
Esquimalt. She has already provided
strong land Notifications, harbor5 of
refuge for her fleets in case Of de-
feat or storm Or need of e-tittlng;
while we, with supreme disregard of
logical methods, appropriate money
to build navy, which in case of war,
if sent out, would be provocative of
attack and without single port or
harbor whittier it could flee for safety
in case of defeat or want of repair.
Our desires and our traditions are
for the maintenance of peace, and
nothing will tend to the maintenance
of peace more than an undoubted
ability on our part to successfully
withstand attacks from the sea. This
is our weakest point, for our military
resources are such that no hostile
force is likely to seek an encounter
with US on our own soil.
The question of coast defenses is no
local question. The honor of the ma
ton is as dear to an American citizen
on the prairies of the West as to one
in the rush of Broadway. Nor is the
nations honor only at stake. Any
financial misfortune that befalls sea-
coast city has it's direct effect on the
material interests of every inland city
and every inland community.
The needs of the country appeal to
congress for action in this direc
ton; the boundless capital represent
ed in property that could be destroy
ed by bombardment appeals to us;
thh material interests of the whole ma
ton that would be affected by that de-
struction appeals to us; the universal
editorial sentiment of the country APP
peals to US. We can effect the pur
pose more cheaply now than hereaf
ter. Let US provide suitable fortifica
tions and render our harbors impreg
nable.
In 1875 and 1912 and 1861 they were
not strong enough to prevent the
clash of arms. Every war of princi
pie we have had has been with the
people of our own blood. The great
est war of modern times was on our
own soil between those bound togeth-
er by the strongest ties of race and
blood, and sharing common history
and traditions and inspired by like
hopes and aspirations.
We must often have causes of fric-
ton with Great Britain while she has
possessions in this hemisphere AMI a
bordering us for 1900
miles and great fortresses frowning
upon our shores, built and m 4intained
with sole reference to war with us.
Besides our two wars with her we have
been dangerously near war with her
once at least in every generation of
our national existence. Fortunately
we have in Canada a hostage for the
good behavior of the mother cou ntry,
as the first sound of war would be the
death knell of British possessions on
this continent, for our people would
never consent to peace while the Brit
ish flag foated over foot of Ameri-
can territory. We may pray for the
coming CT that rcw era whec
The war dram throbs no To- ger, and the bat
tlelaags furled
but in the meantime let us look to the
wisdom that is born of experience and
be prepared to defend the great her
itage which the Almighty has en-
trusted to our keeping.