Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1898-04-30

III PuDHc prints, on the street corner
and throughout the entire country be.
cause he did not take speedy action
to avenge the destruction of the bat.
tlcship Maine and the villainous mur.
der of our sailors.
We in Washington, who understand
the situation, have not been impatient
with the president at all. We under.
stand that this great country, like a
giant as compared with Spain, had
been bound and manacled by penuri-
business. Congressional appropriations
mad been so small and niggardly that
our sea coast defenses were practical
~ dismantled; while our war vessels
were without shot, shell or powder
with which to make the great guns ef-
fectlyc' President Mckinley under.
stood this matter thoroughly. Al
though he was as anxious as any citi-
zen of the country to drive from this
peaceful continent the savages Of Spain.
ne maintained a d~ignifed silence. re-
sorted TO the delays of diplomacy, and
held congress in check until the army
ana navy were well equipped and ready
to strike the blow.
only as late as April 2 the defenses
OF the national capital were completed.
On that Saturday afternoon the seq
rotary of war, with leading army off
GERS, went down the river to make final
tests of the disappearing guns near
fort Washington and Sheridan's point.
Inc guns were found to be in position,
ready for business, and several shots
were fired.
These great guns are situated on
slightly rising knobs, in solid masonry,
zoo feet from the rivers brink. No ri.
ied cannon on earth could penetrate
the heavy clay soil to that depth. With
IN the masonry are built disappearing
gun carriages, which work perfectly.
by turning a lever the gun and car
rage weighing a total of about 200, 900
pounds gradually rise to the surface. n
button is pressed, the gun is fred. and
the recoil causes it to settle gently back
into its place.
Each gun is loaded and sighted down
in that masonry cavern. The river ;s
plated, and the aim is taken to strike
any object entering a certain plat. It
Is marvellous to see the gunners down
there, sighting their great guns by
mathematics.
Three shots were fred. at distances
or three miles, five miles and seven
Eshles, and the points indicated in the
liver were struck with absolute pre-
,ision. The guns belch forth GOO
of solid metal, and hurl them
hat distance with as much accuracy
an experienced rifeman would nick
III an enemy at a distance of 100 Yards.
mere are seven of these guns. Their
location has never been piyen.
will not be given for publication.
they are on the Virginia and MARYLAND
'hores OF the Potomac; and no feet of
var vessels could pass up the chan
lel after coming within their range.
hey nave a clear sweep Of the Potomac
or ten miles, and the guns have power
o throw their masses of metal a dis.
ance of IA miles.
The scenery about them is beautiful
picturesque and peaceful. Smooth
swards of grass greet the eve.
There are trees, shrubbery and hedge ]
ences IN sight; but no sign of %cannons {
= fortlfications. The enemy could take .
Q aim, unless at the cannons while
hey are for a second on the surface
n the act OF firing. 1t takes 10 Sec '
nds for a shot to go seven miles. The
'uns are perfectly safe from the enemy |
And In addition to these batteries the d
nbmarine mines which have been laid I
the channel Of the Potomac would s
rove to be powerful enough to de- ]
troy any ships Of war in the world. G
7 last the national capital is safe from 5
tack by water.
During the past two months Of bastv
reparation defenses for our larger +
ties have been completed. Because of
necessity Of this work the presi. r
emit has sought delay. He has also !,
rayed and hoped for peace. ur'peo- !.
= have been too anxious for war, too :