Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-04-22

ever the grim god of war has
-. stretched forth a bony hand to
~ grip the United States I'm his
red clutch April has been at hand.
Sometimes April has witnessed the
crucial event which brought about a
war. Other times it has been in April
that the actual war was begun. But
always, since the war of the revolu-
ton, has April played a star role.
Springtime is our wartime. With the
coming of April. in all her beauty of
changing moods, comes time of grim
potentialty. April. for America, may
be flower bedecked. but in her hand
she carries war mask
1t was on the night of April IS. 1875,
that Paul Revere made his famous ride,
followed the day after by the battle of
Lexington. And SO was opened the first
great struggle of what was to be the
United States of America. And on July
4. 1876. came into existence the Dec
laration of Independence, that docu-
ment which is the first declaration of
war ever issued by this country. Since
that time April has left a streak of
red across the page of American his
tory.
President Madison. on June /, 1912,
sent confidential message to Congress
urging that war be declared against
England. and outlining forcibly and
clearly the various grounds on which
such a course was necessary. But weeks
before events had been shaping them
selves for the actual conflict which was
TO come. With the extension of pri-
Watering rights to American merchant
vessels came war with England in
reality even before Congress sane
toned such measure. Privateering
vessels on both sides took advantage
of the situation, and early in the spring
OF 1872 four British barges. with all
their crews were taken prizes in
Hampton roads by the American cutter
Jefferson, Supported by the United
States frigate Constitution. Later on
April %. the privateer schooner Sur
prise captured the kutous. a British
brig of twelve guns.
Early in April, upon the receipt of
Castlereagh's note defining the meas
ures of retaliation of England, Presi-
dent Madison hurriedly convened his
cabinet. Following the sending of his
message urging war on June /, Con-
gress. with closed doors, debated the
question. and for time il seemed
doubtful whether or not a majority
would agree 10 immediate action. on
June 4, however. the bill was carried in
the House by vote of 10 10 10. The
debate lasted in the Senate for nearly
two weeks. the bill being finally passed
on June II by a vote of 10 to 13. 1t
is interesting to note that in both
branches of Congress nearly the entire
north opposed the measure. the south
being practically unanimous in favor
of it. The war resolution was drawn
UP by the Attorney General. William
Pinkney. and was brief and terse. The
House the next day agreed to the
amendments. and the bill was sent to
President Madison at once and his sig
nature put on the document That was
on June Is. The following day Presi-
dent Madison issued a proclamation.
the first of its kind in the history of
the United states.
After opening the proclamation with
the usual preamble relative TO the act of
Congress, etc. President Madison's proc
Eimation ran:
| Now therefore. l. James Madison. President
Of the United States Of America do hereby
proclaim the same to all whom it may concern
and do specially enjoin all persons holding of.
Gses. 4<ivtLos -miAtaEys-undsE- The authoz1tJ Al