The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1898-04-09
AN IDEAL PRESIDENT.
Widespread Confidence in President
ekIuley.

The admirable address of President
Mckinley on the character of Washing
ton has ELECTED from thoughtful men
of both parties hearty expressions of
thanlfulness that the executive respon-
sibility now rests on the shoulders of
a man so resembling the first chief mag
istrate in many traits. Ex-President
Harrison has just borne testimony to
the profound confidence which Presi-
dent Mckinley has inspired by his con-
duct thus far. There is no posing for
effect, no sensationalism, no feverish
haste to decide, lest those not charged
with grave responsibility should think
him too slow, but also no lack of care
and thoroughness in preparation, or OF
decision and promptness in action when
the proper time has come. 1t is with
deep sense of relief that the country
finds it's gravest interests in the hands
of man of singular calmness and self
command, not Hurried by most exciting
events, able to set the country grand
example of patience, elaboration and
scrupulous justice, and at the same time
preparing with singular energy for any
course which the occasion may re-
1uire.
President Mckinley clearly realizes
that the way to preserve peace is to
make ready for war. If any event what
ever compels the nation to repel attack
or wrong, it seems that the executive
will not be found unready, within the
limits of possible preparation fixed by
congressional failures. Congress also
begins to act rather than talk, and the
passage Of the bill to raise two artillery
regiments for service in coast fortifi-
cations is an important though belated
step. The men ought to be drilled al
ready. The senate's increase of appro-
priations for defense should lead the
house, not lacking in patriotic vigor and
promptness of action in many other
cases to revise its course. With some
thing done, much remains to be done
Less than a third of the guns and their
emplacements asked for by the board
on Notifications has yet been provided
by congress. The first great 16-inch
gun is completed out of 80 deemed nee
essary. Congress has appropriated II
all less than $1O,0oO,O0O for completion
up to July of "a 12-inch guns out of zoe
requred So ten-inch out of $50 re
quired, 80 eight-inch out of 100 required
16 heavy rapid-fre out of $50 required
and 232 12-inch mortars out of 1882 re
uuired. Unless congress is prepared tt
take the responsibility of differing from
the board as to requirements for ma
tional defense, the work of preparation
should not be limited any longer by
want of money.
One or two senator's have expressed
doubt whether more money should b.
spent for powerful battleships. Th'
statement of Capt. Mahan as to the ne
cessity and safety of this arm of tn,
nations defense is worthy of the high
est weight. But respecting all the de
tails of preparation for national safety
it is only fair to say that congress
should be largely guided by informa
ton obtained from the executive de
partments. Much of that information
ought not to be made public. But tn
country knows that the executive re
sponsibility is under the persona
charge of President Mckinley. He
the active and controlling head of tn
state and navy and every other depart
ment, and the country has in him sue
} strong confidence that it will not fai
to sustain congress in authorizing tn
, expenditures which he deliberately pre-
nounces necessary for public defense
, A calm, cool man, swayed by no excite
ment or passion and resolutely facin
every emergency, is man upon who's
judgment congress and the countr
, may safely rely.-N. Y. Tribune.