St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-03-30
Letter from Washington


[The following letter written two weeks ago,
through no fault OF the writer was NOT
published then. 1t touches upon SO many
interesting events that we print u now
for our readers sake. ED. CALhDoNAN'J
The great event of the week in con-
gress was the almost unanimous vote
to appropriate fifty million dollars in
order that the country can be made
ready for any emergency. Five min
ute speeches were INDUCED in by con-
gressmen from all parts of the coun'
try, and of all shades of political be-
lief, who were eager to manifest their
loyalty to country and declare their
patriotism in deeds as well as by
words. Such unanimity of feeling
among republicans, democrats, and
populists inspired every one with
confidence and courage. Now we
feel that we are prepared for peace as
we'll as for war. In fact, many argue
that if we are all placed on good
war footing with or equal to other
nations, it will tend to keep the
peace. Love of country thrusts aside
all party feelings and hostilities
when an emergency seems to demand
it, and the American people rise like
unit to protect the honor and dig
nifty Of the nation. People thronged
both houses of congress to see this
appropriation bill pass, amidst the
highest excitement of enthusiasm.
Although many insist that we shall
not have war with Spain, yet most
active preparations are going on,
night and day, getting out large
guns, and all kinds of munitions OF
war. Our forts and sea coasts are
being inspected. We have money
appropriated so large war vessels
can be purchased in Europe, if posi-
BILE to be found, and recruits are being
added to the navy and new regiments
will be formed.
Spain is treacherous foe and we
do not intend to be betrayed again
by her fair promise. A report was
current sometime since that Spanish
spies had been here and gone down
the Potomac and examined its depth
and bed; again another rumor that
Gen. Lee had been assassinated.
There are some newspapers that are
filled with dynamite, who send out
extras with sensational reports and
follow them with a denial and an
other mild rumor. Now we pay lit
tie attention to them.
We deplore war, yet if necessary
we intend to be ready for it. Con.
gress has voted emergency appropri.
ations before, as in 1898, when war
with France was imminent, and six
months before the declaration of war
with Great Britain in 1912, congress
voted millions Of dollars for war
preparations, ammunition, cannon
and firearms, and special appropri
alton of 100000 to buy sulphur
and saltpetre to make powder and
to furnish the army firearms, and
also it was voted to raise regiments
of artillery and infantry. Clara Bar.
ton is still dispensing food and cloth
ing to the starving Cubans. Spain
has debt OF one and a quarter bill
lion Of dollars, it is said, and she has
largely exhausted the resources of
the country, as well as partly ex
hausted the military strength by
such heavy demands on the male citi
zens for soldiers, from her IS 10000
of inhabitants, and lastly, but not
least, her dishonorable record and
terrible cruelty to the poor, starving
Cubans struggling for liberty exctes
our pity.
The woman's concert at the Ma.
tional theater was a great success.
Mrs. ]. D. Long, with many promi-
nent ladies had it in charge for the
benefit of the families of the sailors
who lost their lives on the Maine.