Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-05-03
Some Lessons Of the War.


has characterized Congress since the
close of the Civil War in its failure 20
keep the country in an adequate state
of defence. At the close of the Rebel
lion we had the most effective navy in
the world. and magnificent veteran
army the strongest known to history.
From that day to this the United States
Congress has apparently gone upon
fatuous supposition that we should
never have any more wars. Our ships
We're dismantled. our army disbanded.
and our country PERMITTED, at time
when all the countries of Europe were
increasing their naval and military
establishments. to drift into condition
of military and naval inefiiciency. that
was Well calculated TO lose us the pres
tige we had enjoyed among the great
nations of the world. But it was in
evitable that there should be re-
action from this short sighted policy.
While the Rebellion had demonstrated
how great were the potentalities Of
war in this country even when dealing
with civil discord, and how strong ana
deep was the patriotism of the people. it
also begat a confidence. in these latest re-
sources, and in this spirit of patriotism
which though fully warranted. Was
ill.,, Low, IN hi al
of foresight used by alleged statesmen
as a reason why this country should
not maintain ii navy and an army
sufficiently large to afford it at all
times an adequate measure of defence.
The day has gone by when any country
can afford to rest its safety solely upon
the valor of it's citizens. There must
be ships as Well as men, there must be
guns as Well as soldiers. Fortunately
there has been within the past II years
considerable popular reaction from
the short sighted policy that immedi-
ately followed the war. AS result we
have at the present time the nucleus of
a good modern naVy-abOut One-fourtl
efficient so far as it goes. We have
too, evolved a system of State troops
which, in this hour of need, is furnish
ing the government with splendid
and We'll equipped army, and vindicat-
ing all the good predictions of its
friends. 1t is only within a compare
lively recent period that the national
government has taken official notice of
these State forces. and detailed regular
army officers to assist in their instruc-
ton. We have long felt that the gov
eminent might, with all propriety, do
much more than this. II might furnish
all equipments. and detail forces Of
| regulars to be present at. and partici-
pate in State musters. We believe that
| the prompt and patriotic response OF
the state troops to the Presidents re-
cent call, will serve in the future 10
secure them from the national govern
ment a far greater degree of care and
attention than they have heretofore
enjoyed.
The question Of proper coast defence
has been one of comparatively recent
consideration. In this, as in most mat
tiers. public sentiment was considerably
in advance of Congress. 1t was not
until 1885 that Il board of competent
officials, known, in honor of the ther
| secretary of war. as the Endicot1
Board, was appointed to investigate tbs
whole matter thoroughly and report :
comprehensive and adequate plan fol
the protection Of our coasts. This
board is generally conceded to have
performed its work thoroughly ano
Well The plan which it reported called
for an expenditure of about $l25 coo, 900
In spite of the imperative needs thi:
report was designed to provide for
and the large sum of money required
to afford our coasts anything approach
iLg adequate protection, the aggregate
amount appropriated for carrying int
effect the recommendations of thu
Endicott board, during ten fiscal year
1SS9-9S was only 500, 3S4 253. 50, or az
average of S.. 93S. 1855 per annum,
5 Such was the record of false econ
: omy, and cheap cheese pairing pursued
on this important matter for ten Ion:
years, during which wise publ
policy would have thoroughly com
pleted the entire work,
So late as February = of this year
with the present war with Spain al
ready imminent, the House committe
e on appropriations reported 81 144 912 TO
2 Notifications and ordnance, notwith
y standing the fact that the CAREFUL
f prepared estimates of the engineer an
ordnance departments called for $13,
1851. 1t is not surprising that thi
exhibition of indefensible cheese parin
and false economy on an item that i'm
peratively demanded the most liberia