The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-03-19

Widespread Confidence In President
Mckinley.

widespread Confidence I'm President
Mckinley.
The admirable address of President
Mckinley on the character of Washing
ton has ELECTED from thoughtful men
of both parties hearty expressions of
thankfulness that the executive respon-
sibility now rests on the shoulders of
n man SO resembling the first chief mag
istrate In many traits. Ex-President
Harrison has just borne testimony TO
the profound confidence which Presi-
dent Mckinley has inspired by his con-
duct thus far. There is no posing for
effect, no sensationalism, no feverish
haste to decide, lest those not charged
with grave responsibility should think
him too slow, but also no lack of care
and thoroughness In preparation, or OF
decision and promptness In action when
the proper time has come. IL is with a
deep sense OF relief that the country
finds its gravest interests in the hands
OF a man of singular calmness and self
command, not furried by most exciting
events, able to set the country n grand
example OF patience, elaboration and
scrupulous justice, and at the same time
preparing with singular energy for any
course which the occasion may re-
quire.
President Mckinley clearly realizes
that the way TO preserve peace is TO
make ready for war. III any event what
ever compels the nation 10 repel attack
or wrong, ID seems that the executive
will not be found unready, within the
Of u 10 Avs. Hv
congressional failures. Congress also
begins TO act rather than talk, and the
passage OF the bill TO raise two artillery
regiments for service in coast fortif-
cations is an important though belated
step. The men ought TO be drilled al
ready. The senate's increase of appro-
priations for defense should lead the
house, not lacking in patriotic vigor and
promptness OF action in many other
cases 20 revise its course. With some
thing done, much remains to be done.
Less than n third OF the guns and their
emplacements asked for by the board
on Notifications has yet been provided
by congress. The first great 16-inch
gun is completed out of 30 deemed nee
essary. Congress has appropriated in
all less than Sl0.O0O,000 for completion
up to July Of "a 12-inch guns out of 200
required; SO ten-inch out OF $50 re-
quired, 80 cight-inch out of 100 required,
16 heavy rapid-hre out OF 300 required,
md 232 12-inch mortars out of 1882 re-
quircd. Unless congress is prepared TO
take the responsibility of differing from
the board as to requirements for ma
al LOFT 1,n r. r,rp fof ~
should not be limited any longer by
want OF money.
One or two senator's have expressed
doubt whether more money should be
spent for powerful battleships. The
statement Of Capt. Mahan as TO the ne
cessity and safety OF this arm OF the
nations defense Is worthy OF the high
est weight. But respecting all the de-
tails of preparation for national safety,
IL is only fair 20 say that congress
should be largely guided by informa-
tion obtained from the executive de-
partments Much OF that information
ought not to be made public. But the
country knows that the executive re-
sponsibility is under the personal
charge OF President Mckinley. He Is
the active and controlling head of the
state and navy and every other depart
ment, and the country has In him such
strong confidence that IL will not fail
TO sustain congress in authorizing the
expenditures which he deliberately pro-
nounces necessary for public defense.
A calm, cool man, swaycd by no excite
mcnt or passion and resolutely facing
every emergency, Is man upon Whose
judgment congress and the country
may safely rely.-N. Y. Tribune.