And three years to build such iron clads as most of the South American states even, possess;
And a year to build a modern steel gun of any power;
When all the skilled labor and appliances for manufacturing the material are at hand.
But our workmen, though skilled in other things, are not skilled in making the requisite kind of metal either for guns or armor, and in putting it together when it is obtained. We have not the immense steam hammers and plant for such colossal work.
Our country is exposed on all sides—Pacific, Atlantic, and lakes.
The country that goes to war with us is not going to treat us as the militia did the rioters in Cincinnati the other day, remain inactive until we can arm ourselves.
If England is to be our enemy (and there is no reason why she should not be, for she has never shown her friendship for us except by words. In her actions she has proved an enemy, and we must never forget the blockade runners and the “Alabama,” and the fact that is largely due to her, that our civil war lasted so long), she will attack us both on the Atlantic coast and on the great lakes.
In the latter region she is much better prepared to injure us now, and we in a worse condition to prevent it, than in 1812.
Profiting by her experience, she is preparing a waterway that will admit her gunboats to the very heart of our country. It requires no close observation to realize that other motives than those of commerce induced England to purchase and expend millions of money upon the Welland Canal, and that it gives her a great strategical advantage.
That is one advantage she has over us, should the war be carried to the lakes.