The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1898-05-06
Washington Letter.
From cur regular Correspondent

Washington, April, 20 lSSSs
One country. one flag and one object
the licking Of Spain. That 10 the all
prevailing sentiment IN Washington
since the war actually begun. Now that
Mr.. Mckinley has shaken on tie Hanna
peaee-at- any price crowd and their be-
numbing influence, he has become
thoroughly alive to the necessities of the
situation. This has been particularly
noticeable during the past week. He
started on the. right track when he
asked congress for the authority TO use
the army and navy to drive Spain ont OF
Cuba he took the proper step when te
sent that ultimatum TO Spain; again
when he recognized the ditmissal Of our
minister By Spain a. 40 act oi var agsin
when he issued orders for our feet 10
blockade Cuba, and yet again uheL he
issued bis proclamation calling for i2s-
600 men to serve txo years unless sooner
discharged. Congress 10 right behind
every one Of the moves and the peopls
are right behind congress. The enthu-
siasm 10 unprecedented. and every Span.
ish flag captured by our warships add TO
it. The only regret that 10 heard 10 that
ail who desire in avenging the Maine
eanno. do 90. a. each state viii InsIss on
furnishing iss full quota Of the the troops
called for. The National Guard Of the
District o. Columbia is already on duty
In camp Of instruction, and although
only about one third can hope to 30 every
man Of them is anxious to atari Tor
Cuba.
The aw authorizing the volunteer
army which vas enacted by congress last
week, provides for four Mai. Generals.
the Impression lie general 10 Washington
that Fiiz. Lee. and Joe Wheeler, Of Ala.
will be rendered commissions oi that
rank. TEDDY" Roosevelt the scrappy
Assistant Secretary Of the navy. will re-
sign that position in order TO serve on
FitE. Lees staff in Cuba.
whea onse our army gets in Cuea II
will make short work Of whipping the
Spaniards. bat several weeks musi elapse
before tina. army can be gathered on the
southern coast, preparatory TO embark
alton for Cuba. until then we shall
have 10 content ourselves with the
knoEledge that our warships viii give q
good account Of themselves In aaY en-
gsgement they will have, either With
the Spanish forts In Caha, or with the
Spanish wsrsbips; and we may as well
also prepare ourselves 10 hear Of the oc-
casional capture OF an American mereh-
ant ship on the other side Of the Atlantic
by the Spanish. We can hope that the
boassful Spanish navy VII! come over
and 6ght our ships, but there are no in-
dications nov in sight that it win do 90.
It looks as though We will have to 90
after them when we have captured Cuba.
But Cuba comes drst.
A long story might be told about the
lightning cabinet enange, in which ed
tor Charles Emory Smith succeeded
Merchant lanes / Gary as Postmaster
General. but II 90 old an enemy OF Smith
80 Senator Quay was willing to keep
quiet and even move that Smith o nom
ination be confirmed by the senate,
surely others can do 90, at least until
after the war 10 over. just nov nothing
10 wanted that will not add to the
strength of the government the tirs, and
grestest demand 10 that no time
be lost in fighting the war TO q vic,o,i-
ous end.