The morning times., 1896-02-02
J HE story OF 1914 and the story of
1896 in American history are par
allel when we consider uhe rela-

I
1896 in American history are par
allel when we consider the rela-
tiun of the nations capital to for
eign foe. From Madison to Cleveland there
has been no change.
Washington was captured. looted and
burned under the administration of Madi-
son by marines from a British Elect. II is
in order for some patrio. TO show now why
the bloody and brutal scenes and deeds Of
more than three-quarycrs Of a century ago
could not be made current history by a
fleet of the same nation.
Itis $50 miles from the mouth of Chesa-
peak. Bay TO Washington. There is a
good channel all the way from the At
lantic to the Washington docks. 1t is such
wel-defincd channel by nature that the
British fleet without Il pilot sailed up
with their old hruadside frigates and cast
anchor in the Potomac off the historic
Fort Washington. or the bluff whereon the
amusing old fortress stands.
The voyage was perhaps Il slow one hut
one can imagine the speed with which a
British fleet would now burn the wind
from Cape Charles to Fort Washington. and
especially as ali the maps and soundings
session of all nations in accord with ,.:sf
liberality of policy which marks this roy.
ernmcnt in everything save appropriations
for coast defenses.
The conditions Of 1914 are pretty much
those of the present day. The Federalists
did not want TO go TO war, but Mr.. Madison
did. aud hence they called IL Mr.. Madisun's
war. This great government at that time
had a long rest after the war of the Rcvolu-
ton. aud they went 10 sleep cherishiDg
the absurd hope that the country would
be spared another war for possibly thou-
sand years. But the war of 1872 came on,
and the little corporal, who was then in the
zenith of his glory, sent us men and ships
and money. We, the other. ''graHde ma
ton had at the time only three ships 10
braG about-the Constitution, the Essex
and the United States,
Notwithstanding this powerful arma-
mcnt, which was ON duty doing single com
bats a sea. the British fleet ma,ie a descent
on Washington, and they reached IT one
fine morning, and they wrote ''Ichabcd"
over the walls.
Peace was declared after the battle OF
New Orleans-in fact, fifteen days before
it, and then the nation went TO sleep again.
II reused itself very languidly when the
British lion shook his name in the CcriDto
affair, and then went To sleep again until
the Venezuela case came up. Everybody
talked war and everybody was ready TO
fight. EVERYBODY was thinking what fine
field of operations Canada would make. and
there was even some talk of doing naval
battle against the English on the Great
Lakes.
Nobody apparently thought of a British
fleet coming up the Potomac. 1t was true
that we had soihe ten or twelve ships of
battle. but it would be necessary 10 divide
them. New York would need few. Charles
ton would need Il few, New Orleans would
need few. and san Francisco would want
that was left. What about Washington?
On the way from he ocean to Washington
there are two principal forts. one is the
famous Fortress Monroe and the other is
Fort Washington. both great names 10
conJure with in times OF piping peace.
Fortress Monroe is equipped with guns not
even of the Middle Ases-they belong to
the Prehistoric Age-and Fort Washing
ton is armed principally with formidable
frown. which reminds US of the poetry of
war rather than its realities. 1t is only
the language of exact description 10 say