Daily Kennebec journal., 1898-04-23

80 AA+SA Aitiif9 iiNN ~ Ni'stfS&D III tttblI
hands men rushed from the breakfast
tables into the streets to meet their fel-
low men. What was it that they
should DO?
Detailed accounts Of the affair came
rapidly, but there was nothing in them
to quiet thc national Indignation. The
American flag had been hauled down by
EnSlishmen, IN American naval vessel
had been fired into and captured; that
was enough! No matter whether the
Eliza Drum was within the three mile
limit or not. No matter which vessel
tired first! II it were the Lcnnchaha,
the more honor to her: she ought to
have done it! From platform, pulpit,
stump and editorial Office came one We
hement, passionate shout directed to-
ward Washington.
Congress was III session, and in its halls
the fire reared louder and blazcd higher
than on mountain or plain, in city or
prairie. No member Of the government,
from president to page, venturcd to op-
pose the tempestuous demands Of the
people. The day for argument upon the
exciting question had been a long and
weary one. and it had gone by. In less
tian Il week the great shout OF the pco-
PIE WAS answered by declaration OF war
against Great Britain.
When this had been done these who
demanded war brcathed easier tut these
who must direct the war byeathcl harder
1t WAS indeed time fer hard breath
Ing, hut the great mass Of the people
perceived 10 reason why this should ha.
Money there was in vast abundance; i'll
every state we'll drilled men by thou
sands stood ready ior the word to nurch.
and th9 military experience and knowl-
edge sf;en by great war was yet
strong upon The nation.
70 the people at large The plan Of the
w2r appeared very obvious and q very
simple one. Canada had given tie Of
fense, Canada shou!d he made to pay
the penalty. Ina very short t;sne l03.tQe,
100000, 800 000 men. if necessary, coDIi
lie made ready for the invasion ot Can
ada. From platform. rulpi,, stump and
editorial Office came the cry;
"On to Cauada!'
At the seat OF government, however,
the plan Of the war did not appear 50 OH
vious, 50 simple. Throwing q great army
into Canada was all well enough, and
th2tarmy would probably DO well nough
But the question which produced hare
breathing il the executive branch OF tho
government was the immediate lrotcc
:. !. T.. L.
even Pacific.
Ii Z storm CT national indignation wai
had been declared againsoa Z power whicl
at this period Of her history had brought
up her naval forces 10 4 point double il
strength to that Ct any o,her country in
the world. And this war had been d.
clarad by nation which, comparatively
speaking, possessed no naval strength Al
all.
FOR some years the United states navy
had been steadily improving, but thi.
improvement was nos sufficient to make
it worthy Of reliance at this crisis. ~
has been said, there was money enough
and every ship yard in the country could
be set to work TO build ironcl&d Men-Qf
war, but ii takes u long time to bull
shipS' ana Ih@laEd navy was i>lloAl.
II vas the Brush Aeei tI91S America h1o
TO rear
by means o. lIe ochtl1ilI'L e1oie' y
was known ll;ig many o. tAe 4tl5ea'
mai vessels OF the l5TltiaA tTansatl2il'l~
lhe5' WhicA h2u oeeh "lol'dF''"'l upon
the declaration OF var were preparing
IN British pofi5 TO transport troops Z
Canada. 1t was not HnpcsstOie tA@'
these great steamers ml9ht l2nd an army
III Canada before an American army
couI0 nc oIS11izeC ana ui''iNllou ~ ti'''t
province. 1t might oe mat 'ne Onl'3o
States Wou0 De lofced % oe1~i'o I-c'
borders instead OF h1Vaolho 'lloSe G ''lt
enemy
III every Tort anu navy YARD an "@'
activity; the hammertAs Of IRON went Oh
| by day and oy nlSAt' ou0 "liaO was 20 E1
! done when the great lfoiitlld3 oL E-'l@
land hammered upon o''f o@ieils>'7' 'l"''
long "oIlG u oe OeloTe lile ---i-9I -- '.'i,i =,
nag Wcuid ne seen no more UPON 'i'N
l t