Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-03-16
Washington Letter.
From our Regular CORRESPONDENCE

w ASHlNG1CN, Mafcn IL, 1875
"Old Glory" was never more in evil
dence than right now. Behind the
$50, 100000, by unanimous vote of
both branches of congress-a vote of
confidence in president unparalleled
In the history Of this or any other
country-placed at the disposal OF
President Mckinley, to be used as he
may deem best in putting the coun-
try in position to defend itself, is
an unlimited money and an army of
ten millions OF the best fighting men
who ever shouldered a gun, which the
president can have whenever in his
judgment he needs them.
The United States is seeking no
war with Spain, or any other coun-
try, and AS Representative Cannon,
Of Illinois, SO truly said, "would not,
if it could, trench upon the rights of
any other nation" but it will uphold
it's own national honor regardless Of
VINO attacks 1T, and regardless of
what blood and m oney it may cost.
Even If the $5O,OOO,OOO just appro-
prlated by congress were to be
dumped into the middle of the Allan
tic, the manner in which that appro-
prlatlOn was made would be worth
every dollar Of the money as an OBJ
Ject lesson to the rest of the world on
the danger of trying to presume too
far upon the peace-loving disposition
of the American people It's effect
will be seen for years to come in
increased respect shown to the
American flag by the nations of the
world.
1t is too early to speak with GER
tainty of the effect of this prompt
and unanimous action of congress on
our relations with Spain, but it will
largely depend on Spain. This gov
ernment is now ready for either peace
or war. The report OF the Maine
court OF inquiry is yet to be received
by the president and acted upon,
and the question Of whether we shall
intervene, peaceably, if possible, or
by force, to bring about peace in
Cuba, is yet to be determined. and
as either may bring about war the
administration is going ahead pre-
pairing for war, just as though war
was certainty. The presence of the
United States cruiser Montgomery IN
the harbOr of Havana is an indica-
ton that no backward steps are to
be taken by President Mckinley
Spain has this week made several
! clean hackdowns, notably in with
| drawing its request for the recall OF
| Consul General Lee, after President
Mckinley had refused it, and official
ly announcing that it had been made
under a misapprehenslon. This in
| dicates that it may follow the same
| line OF tactics In meeting any future
| demands of the president and COnse
quently that war may be avoided
although it may mean that Spain is
| "playlng 'possum," because it isn't
ready TO fight yet
Thanks to the Dingley tariff and
to Secretary Cages able management
of the cOuntry's finances, the treas
ury is not only in a condition to pay
out the money appropriated by con
gress at once, but to pay every
dollar of it in gold. and what is
better, to pay out as much more,
without in the slightest degree hamp.
cOuntry-a thing that would have
been impossible at any time during
the last administration. Inasmuch
AS a considerable portion of this
money may be spent in Europe for
ships and munitions of war, the abil-
ity to pay gold is a good thing tor
us. The United States treasury now
has S168, 100000 in gold in its
vaults.
None Of the short speeches which
preceded the unanimous appropria-
ton of $50, 100000 by the house to
be expended at the discretion OF the
president, were received with as
much enthusiasm as that made by
General GrOsvenOr, of Ohio, and no
portion Of his speech aroused quite
as much enthusiasm as the following
references to the president and the
united country behind him: "Thus
far he has made no mistake. Thus
far he has exhibited to the whole
world what an American president is
when he represents the best sentiment
Of the American people. Gladly and
deliberately has he weighed every
measure. Calmly and deliberately
has he considered every threatening
circumstances, and calmly and DELHI
erately behind him have stood seven
ty 1--WE millions Of people, confident
in him, confident in the patriotism of
the people, true and faithful to the
loyalty that has come to us from a
thousand battle fields that saved
the Union. How magnificent it is!
[ said some days ago that / had
longed to live until ] knew that this
people was a united people. [ have
always felt that the actions of 1861
and 1865 were poorly done; that the
blood was iIl-expended, if at the end
OF this long period we had not a
united nation. Thank God! [ have
lived to see the hour come, the day
dawn, the sun Of unity rise and shine,
ard universal loyalty the watchword
OF every man, woman and child.
The American people will arise to
any emergency in the future Money
beyond estimate, men beyond the
dreams of Napoleon or Hannibal
will march to protect the flag when
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