Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-03-23
Washington Letter.
From our Regular Correspondent

WASHINGTON, March IS, 1885
General Grosvenor's explicit denial
was not needed to convince the public
that there was not a word Of truth
IN the statement that President Nc
Knley was anxi Gus for congress to fin
lsh transportation bills and adjourn,
IN order that he might settle the Cuban
question without interference from
congress. President Mckinley has
never regarded congress as an imped-
iment; on the contrary, he has
from the day Of his Inauguration
treated every senator and represent
ative as advisors upon whom he
had a right to depend, and upon
whom he has depended right along.
In fact, no president has ever more
fully recognized congress as a co ordi-
nate branch of the government. In
stead of desiring congress to adjourn
and leave him to handle the Cuban
question single handed, President
Mckinley desires congress to remain
IN session and assist him in settling
the Cuban question properly.
Ii the situation was not SO critical,
SPANS attempt o make this country
responsible, inIthe eyes of Europe, for
the failure OF autonomy in Cuba, by
charging that failure to the presence Of
our fleet of warships at Key West,
would be amusing. AS tbs, it merely
adds an additional complication to- an
already much complicated condition
| of affairs. President Mckinley did
not assemble that fleet at Key West
to please Spain, nor did he place the
country on a war footing to please
Spain, and he will not disperse that
fleet or call a halt in the prepara-
lions Tor war to please Spain, or any
other European power or pOv err
He is prPparingt to defend ourna lena
honor, against Spain, and ag5 ms
the world, if necessary.
The annual hanquets Of the survi
vors OF the Second Army corps avj
always been noted for the patrit is
expressed by the speakers, ana at
that held this week the circumstances
naturally made the speakers even
more patriotic than usual Re1re-
sentative Brosius, of Pennsylvania.
responded to the toast, ''The Head
of the Nation" in highly creditable
speech setting forth thecommendable
action of the president during the
present critical period, and the extra
ordinary confidence he has aroused
In the hearts OF the people, and pre-
dieting that his future actions would
be such that would retain theuniver-
sal confidence now repOsed in him,
whether they led to war or to peace
and concluding with: "rThis homage
| cheerfully and lovingly pay the
head of the nation; a typical Ameri-
can, a grand man, and a safe custo-
dian under all circumstances Of the
Interests and honor of the republic.
Long live the head of the nation!"
Representative Belknap, OF Illinois.
responded to he toast, "The Land
We Love- by showing that it was
only few cOld-blooded cynics who
believed that patriotism was dying
out or love Of country diminishing;
and Representative Hull, of Iowa,
did full justice to the toast, "Our
National Defenders On Land and
Sea-" General Nelson A. Miles, once
commander of the corps, now com
mander of the entire army. responded
to the toast, "The Second Army
Corps" The closing sentences of his
speech follow: "Uncle Sam fired a gun
up at the capitol the other day-a
fifty million-dollar gun-that sent "a
thrill of patriotism throughout this
land and re-echOed all over the world.
And Mr. Mckinley was made to I'M
derstand that il fifty millions was
not enough to defend this country
and its honor, he might add another
cipher to the right Of the figures, and
the money was his. 1t was the
grandest exhibition that a congress
ever gave that, slumbering deep in
their hearts. is a loyalty, patriotism
and spirit of sacrifice never eQualled
in any legislative body on the face Of
Gods earth. Is there to be war? [
nope not. |. as warrior, would not
like to see a war begin with two or
three Bull Runs, but would rather
have AppOmattoX instead. But if
war shall come. we would be ready
to make the conflict short, sharp and
decisive"
The house naval committee has
decided to provide in the naval ap-
preparation bill for the construction
Of five new dry docks, to be located
at Portsmouth. N. H; Boston.
Mass; League Island, near Pbiladel-
phia, Pa; Algiers, near New Orleans,
La, and Mare Island. near San Fran
cisco, Cal. Present Indications are
that the committee will also provide
for the building of some small fight
ing ships, in addition to the three
battleships already provided for.
=--------~"