The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-04-19
THE WAR. FEELING IN WASHINGTON.

Washington. ID. e., April II McAtti
tlcy is not in 1t with Lee. saie
4thc barber who shaved me this morn
ling. ..yyhy. there wasn't i twentieth
part Of the enthusiasm in Washington
when McKinIcywas ~inaugurated Is there
was over Fitzhugh Lee when his train
icarEe into Washington. vt the maui
gurat:on. there were plenty of soldiers
rand lots Of music. but not enough Ell
'thusiasm for a fourth of July picnic.
1T looked like i grand funeral compared
to the cheers and hurrahs that greeted
Lee. If Mckinley had to be i~nauguratc0
lover again. | don't believe he'd run the
risk Of being Kissed by people who live
i'll Washington
us his policy as unpopular as that
by the deft manipulation Of the razor.
"Unpopular.' he said. why that is
not the word for if. Half the folks pos
iit.vely despisc him that's the word
that fits it-and the other half pity him
because he is not a real President but an
~automaton.'
This is about Il correct idea Of the SEN
Itiment among the masses Of the people
IN this city, noted for its policy of being
in favor Of the ruling powers. Wash
.in@ton is Il pretty good barometer Of the
sentiment Of the whole country. Its
population is made up Of folks from ali
III St,+, ,,,J tarrit,r,nl Moot nf 1hnIn
came here originally to hold office. They
fell II love with the place-and it is
the most beautiful city the sun shines
ou-and after their term of office eX-
them keep in close touch with their old
homes and the home sentiment. Those
who care to exercise the right Of suf-
frage. keep their citizenship in the State
tluenced by that sentiment than by that
here in the district. 1t is unlike any
other city III the world in this particular
and is therefore the only representative
city in America. But for the strong al
~lcg:aucc to old hone-ties. Washington
mans would be influenced largely by the
administration, and so along with it.
That the country sentiment still has
much sway here is the saving salt that
makes this city typical Of the Republic.
Washington. locally, is always in favor
Of an appropriation. Its belief in big
c a-.
modicum of sclfishness. fora big appropri-
atoms means that Washington will be
helped by it. While most of the money
spent in getting ready for wal IS eX-
pended elsewhere. the fact that it is
setting the pace for an expensive Cover
ment pleases Washington. It's growth
and expansion depend largely upon the
office-holders who reside here. All the
made. and all the spreading out
means II bigger plant here. more clcrko,
more salaries. more business, more
houses. Holman, of Indiana, was Il
economical legislator is popular here. The
legislator who believes in ''the old
flag and an appropriations with en-
phas:s on the word appropriation is
certain to be the most popular man
With Washington people. In this the
people of Washington are not peculiar.
The people Of Raleigh and every other
State capital are very much 1l iayof
Of big appropriations if they build up the
city and increase the trade. That's
why we want an army post in Taleigh
and why we are working for it.
But it would be an u~nwarranted reflection
the patriotism of the people OF
this city to attribute their attitude to
tie Cuban question to selfish considcra-
tons. 1t may color their feeling; It
does not make it or lie at the bottom of
it.
If Washington could vote" said Il
we'll informed gentleman to-day, 1T
would he n.ne to one in favor Of
war Outside of influences at work
there is another strong in
tiuencc here that makes war sentiment.
This is the home of very many Of the
retired officers of the army and navy;
the headquarters of an army post; the
centre of army and navy influence.
There are thousands of people here
who come IN contact with officers, active