New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-01

Nation, conferred upon him by Congress In COM
pliance with the Constitution, he sent to Spain
the ultimate demands Of this country. and fol-
lowed up the demand with stern and speedy ac-
ton Standing for many weeks the representa-
tive Of the peace-loving sentiment OF tho Nation
when that sentiment was predominant and
hopeful Of success. he now stands the war leader
Of the Nation. now that the Nation sees that 1t
must exchange peace for warm both cases the
unquestoned leader Of the American people
THE NAVAL SECRETARY
Close by the President stands the Secretary Of
the Navy. All his Cabinet officers supnort him
loyalty. but upon this one especial responsible
tiles and duties rest In Lncoln's time the Sec
rotary Of War was foremost for that was war
primarily upon the land, for the Army TO wage
The conditions now are altered The fighting IS
to be done chiefly upon the ocean The real
War Secretary is. therefore, he who has charge
OF the Nations Navy. Upon him falls the bur
den Of work To him II IS given to take tho
initiative IN defensive and aggressive operations
The manner in which Mr. Long has thus IA,
discharged these duties may well command the
grateful admiration OF the Nation and the won
der OF the world Two months ago our NAVY
was unprepared for war There were serious
doubts whether 1t able to hold its place
against that Of Spain. A policy Of unwise and
false economy had prevented II from growing
commensurately with the needs Of the country.
It had too few ships scarcely any dock fac-
ties. and scanty supplies OF ammunition. Its
ships were widely scattered. and many OF them
out Of order. When Spanish treachery deprived
us OF OF the best Of them the loss was felt
to be disastrous 1t gave Spain. men said de-
cided predominance over us
THE DEPARTMENTS ENERGY
Then the Secretary rose to the requirements OF
the hour AS as Congress supplied the
funds. which 1t did with praiseworthy prompt
ness. the Department set to work with
energy that has never been surpassed and
which other Nation could hope to equal New
squadrons seemed to spring into existence as II
hand often in competition with the enemy.
Merchant ships and pleasure craft were trans
formed and adapted TO the sterner uses OF war.
Munitions were secured. Every ship was put
into trim for instant action. The frantic efforts
Of Spain in preparation were incomparably out
stripped For every ship she got, the United
States got three. And so. before the actual
breaking OF the storm. An American fleet was
marshalled that commands the admiration Of all
beholders and that completely overshadows that
against which It Is arrayed.
THE SYSTEM INDICATED
Such achievements as these are the best vindi-
cation Of the American system. The statesmen
OF Europe have wondered at the possibility Of
conducting a Government without a fixed and
even hereditary governing class. That man
should be taken from the law office or the count
Ing house and put into control OF the admins
tration and diplomacy Of a great Nation. with
out preliminary training for the special duties
Of the place. seems to them anomaly which
must result disastrously. They do not make al
owance for the American temperament and for
the general diffusion OF political intelligence and
interest among the people and the reduction Of
functions from the plane OF mys-
terry and tradition to that OF practical business.
II Is Just because there Is no limited governing
class In this country that the whole Nation
forms a competent governing class. 1t Is just