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THECoHsTFrunoH
(’LAK K HOW I'l,l, Editor
W. A. II E.U I’ll I EL Business Manncer
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mail matter November 11,J57".
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The New Question.
Mr. Hciry Nontian, the special coni
inissioner of The Ijondon Chronicle,
Is writing itiue wry interest ing letters to
his paper from Washington. He is one
tiie few Englishmen who really un
<|o". .nnl anti appreciate the American
spi 'it, and he seems -honestly to sympa
thize with American ideals. Ills latest
v'cntr’lintion to The Chronicle is ex
.. ■d. ,gly interesting, much of it calcu
lated to give even Americans food for
reflection.
Mr. Norman writes of "New America:
Its Policy of Expansion,” and lie goes
deeply into the siibjec.. taking pains to
100 l nt event rt devel '
from the pcint of view of an American.
He declares that in one morning there
wa ... iig rtning like change in Ameri
can sentiment 'the morning that news
came of Dewey's unparelleled exploit in
Manila bay. Lt. was the strange, fortune
of v, ir, tiie result of the unexpected.
The day before the news came. the. man
who would have had the hardihood to
sugge't conquest, ti ritorial expansion,
....... Whati v< r you may choose
to call ii, would have been laughed at
o. hooted. When the news of Dewey’s
exploit thrilled throughout the nation,
tiie average American rose from his
breakfast table a new man, with new
a w- n‘-w ideas, and with a totally
X. liter parties nor leaders are respon
eible for this wonderful change. It was
bv aa rats as inevitable ns des
tiny. mill of more importance than the
shifting for!tines of parties.
Wo observe that some of the republi
can newspapers, as well as those who
are trying to tlx the llmi’ls to things
A ■ : I '.eun, are declaring that the new
lotitnde of the people is due to a re-
p. i < tn party. This is quite as riilicu
1< is as the caucus business proposed
r,.- the democrats, but fortunately re
jected.
Mr. Norman, going deeper into the
siit,:tiiwn, shows that neither the gov
ern:.lent nor the administration Is re
st >-- blo for the new policy, the new
tion No party is resp ms me. Lt
i .'.ie upon the nation like a th mder
k q.c-s nor parties are iu Hie lea-" re
. . ■ ■' '
some time ago, when the smoke, of Dew
ey's guns cleared away, the people of
the L'nit.d States instantly recognized
the fact that, new and unexpected re
sponsibilities had been thrust upon them
—that they had been brought face to
face with a question a problem, if you
choose to < ill it so, new to their hi -tory.
As yet, it is not a political quest on;
it is < great i a lonal quei tion.
Air. Norman, after enjoying rare op
portunities for gaining information at
Washington, is forced to conclude that
the administration lias no official policy.
The American government has no policy
In tiie matter of disposing of tiie great
question that lias arisen. How could
it have?” he asks. 'I ho real issue the
only issue--with which the country is
dealing now is the war. Tiie question
first to settle is, how may 1 lie conflict
be brought to a prompt and satisfac
tory conclusion? That is the supreme
issue, not between parties, but between
the American people «n<l the cut-worn
government of Spain.
So far as "the greater Issue is con
cerned —the Philippines—i. Mr. Norman
finds that the ailmin is trait ion has no fixed
or official policy whatever. He thinks
that both Hawaii and I’orto Rico will
be annexed in any event, and that the
Cubans will bo given a lair opportunity
t > demonstrate their capacity for se-lf
gov-Tiini' nt. Neither Hawaii nor Por
to Rico fall under the ban of Washing
ton’; well ad'lr< is, but the Philip
pi to question is it <1 here nt matter. It
is a qi:- - ion Avbicii, at the proper time,
Av.il take d' finite shape in our politics,
E:; it will cut across party lines iu a
w that will create consternation
among tiie leaders on both sides. Al
r my we find ."-me republicans and
s< ue democrats loudly denouncing the
i'-y of ‘'imperialism,” as they are
pleased to i.ill it, while, on the con
trary, many democrats atid republicans
i- in d themselves to the pro
gi mime of retaining the 'Philippines.
Now, when the present war is over,
mo poittii al curtain will rise on one of
Die groat, t questions the people have
be ra called on to settle in nearly forty
years. What is to be done with tiie
Pailippines? In Europe, this question
would be settled lofiiiid closed doors.
A few old diplomats would put their
heads together, talk hi whispers about
the va.-ts ini- • s involved, move th-ir
< :•• >ko<i finy. s over tine map, weigh the
into:'. :is of the powers ami strike such
a lain nee as would k'ep their standing
ariuitm barracks and their war v-ssels
In peaceful harbors. But in this re
public the qip-'s.X.u will b, settled by
the people in the open, and European
considerations will not enter into the
settlement at all.
There are several settlements possible.
The islands could be returned to Spain;
they could be ceded to one of the other
powers; they could be sold at auction
to secure a war indemnity; they could
be divided among the powers; they coula
be left t.o the dubious republic, which
Aguinaldo is said to have formed. Ai
this time each ami every one of these
possible solutions may be described ns
preposterous, and they strike Mr. Xor
nian in that light. Ho concludes, there
fore, that the only safe and sensible
course for America is the old and simple
one of keeping what she has taken.
We have thus given a very cursory
review of Mr. Norman’s letter. Its
importance rests in tae fact that he Is
tin Englishman with very ardent Ameri
can sympathies, and in the further fact
that the question ho discusses is a new
one in our experience. That the peo
ple will settle it in a sati-sfactory way
avo have no doubt.
Vvhat Is tiie Matter with Schley?
Di,, able < oniemporary. The Washing
lon L’ost, wants to know where t'om
motloro Schley was during the engage
ment which resulted in the destruction
of ( ■ rvera's squadron and the capture
of the admiral and a number of his men.
Thu inquiry is n timely one. The coun
try knows by this time where Schley
was In fact, but whore was be official
ly? Practically his name has been
suppressed, and the groat victory which
ho won, more marvelous in every wav
ii,.in Dewey's at .Manila, has been cred
ited, officially to Simpson, who did not
conduct the engagement, ami who was
not in it until the last moment when the
affair was practically over.
It is no Avonder, therefore, that The
Wtishinvton Post makes anxious inquiry
about S'-iih y. officially, he was ah,sent
from the scene altogether. Sampson,
who was seven or eight miles from the
scene when the engagement, began, does
not. mention Schley in his fourth ol
Juli- dispatch, but calmly appropriates
the victory as his own -not explicitly,
of course, but iu a Avar that deceived
the whole country for a moment, includ
ing the Avatehful Washington I’ost,
Avlii-ch pictured 'Dewi.y and Sampson
standing side by side, supporting the
American ilac.
There was. also a dispHch from Wat
son, wiio was rot. in tiie ttffalr at ait,
but. ho omits all mention of Schley's
na x\iw, but for he n<nvspaper
correspondents, including the A isocia>t.ed
Pre-S, Dio people of this country would
never know that to Schley and the ves
sels acting in concert with hiin (both
Simpson ami Watson being far away)
belong tho whole credit of the most re
niarl-.able naval viezory of modern
times. Officially, Schley has been sup
pressed, ami the supprt ssion seems to
be the 'esult of a deliberate intention
to deprive him of the credit that is his
due. and of the bunor -hat should follow
so remarkable an aehievement.
WXhout presuming to criticize the
action of Sampson, or to prejudge his
motives, Ave may very safely s?y that
he would have stood higher in the esti
mation of nil fair-minded Americans if
he had Avorded his Fourth of July dis
patch so as to give Schley credit for
his remarkable acbievemicnt. He would
have done himself ample justice by do
ing justice to Schley. As it is, be
must stand in the attitude of endeavor
ing, Indirectly, to deprive Schley of the
laurels he won in destroying Cervera’s
The Washington Post, calls attention
to t.iio part that Eonrrnodoro Schley has
displayed in all the epis 'des and events
that have ltd up to last. Sunday’s re
markablo achievement. It, is truly an
astonishing record of promptness, ener
gy, efficiency and superb management.
He’d at Hampton Roads for long weeks,
he was at length sent to Cuban waters
to act with Sampson in taking care of
Cervera's fleet, which was known to be
hemliiig for a Spanish port i-n the West.
Indies. The Spaniaid eluded Samusvii
ami wnt into Santiago harbor. Schley
found wiiere he was, and intimated that
he would be glad to receive an onier to
go in after him. But nothing was done.
Sampson, his junior, was pla< ed in
charge of the operations, and the na
val campaign was confined to bombard
ing various forts and works, and to
wigwagging ni-ghl and day.
\.s a matter of fuel, it. would have
been easy for Schley to ent.er Santiu-o
harbor, and if his de.sire could have
controlied. the country would have been
spared the scenes of carnage and death
that, have been enactml on tho outskirts
of S'ltitiago. Then Spanish ships killed
many of our men in the assaults that
Avere made on the outposts and fortified
p isitions. Fin.illy, when tiie Spanish
admiral made a dash out of the harbor,
S< hley was there to receive him. If
the. fleet had Avaited for orders from
Sampson, the Spaniaols would have es
caped. It. was Schley avlio organizea
the pursuit, ami it was under his direc
tion that the Spanish squadron was de
stroyed.
But not a word of all this appears
In the reports and felicitations that
have pa -a- 1 between the government
ami the fleet. Officially, the hero of
the occasion was not present nt all. We
think that Sampson’s dispatch will rise
to vex him. am! we are sorry that it.
should bo so. It i-s a pity, a very
g- ’-a' pity, t rat he was not equal to tiie
demands o' the occasion that lie did
not. show himself to be every inch a
hero i>y being forward to recognize the
. plendid aehb vement of Soil
——- >
A Horrible Affair.
The .story of the loss of the French
liner Bourgogne is a black one at
b -.1, htii the details of the affair, gath*
cred t'-.mi the survivors, make one of
the most horrible recitals of modern
times. We read of the awful scenes
enacted am! thank heaven that they
could not have occurred on any vessel
n,aimed and officered by Americans or
Engk-ainen. it is impossible .not to
feel that these scenes mark the differ
ence of character, temperament ami mo
tive that, divides the English-speaking
races from the Latins.
Ti'.e assasidnation of women and chii*
dren, tiie slaughter of the weak by the
crow of the boat, seems almost beyond
beli- f. Such events would be incredible
did we not remember the scenes recently
c aiod at the conflagration of a French
eit.trliy I.azaar in Paris, where the men.
in cider to save tliomselves, trampled
women and young girls to death and
left them to perish in the flames. That
event has prepared the world to believe
any story of savage cowardice that may
be attributed to the Latins. They have
men of conspicuous courage and chival-
TIIE WEEKLY CONSTITUTION: ATLANTA. GA.. MONDAY, JULY 11, 1898.
ry among them, men whose names ami
characters illuminate history, but these
races, taken as a whole, do not measure
up to the .Anglo-Saxon standard.
The savage slaughter of women and
children and the murder of weak pas
sengers by the crew of the Bourgogne
could not have occurred on an Ameri
can or English liner. The safety of
the women and children would have
been the first thought of officers and
crew, and if the latter had shirked its
duty, the mutineers would have been
shot down by their officers.
Altogether, the details of the Bour
gogne affair form the. most horrible,
the most revolting chapter in modern
annals.
What Is the Trouble?
To the ordinary observer, not disposed
to be too critical and anxious only to
sea the unwholesome business of war
brought, to a speedy and satisfactory
conclusion, there seems to be a sag in
tho clothes-line. To put it in another
way, and employ Uncle Johnny Roach s
favorite paraphrase of Shakespeare,
there seems to be something dead up
the creek.
It is impossible to say' whether the
aforesaid remains are on the Mil under
the pines or in the big red gully w'liere
tho briers grow. 'Die atmosphere does
not go into details, and it Would be
Invidious to organize an exploring ex
pedition. But there is trouble pome
whore, and pretty serious trouble. Or
ders are issued only to be rescinded,
troops are hauled away from o.imps
only to bo hauled back again, and there
is a great marching and countermarch
ing going on which tietrays a weak head
or an infirm hand somewhere.
During tho last week tlTis exhibition
of restless infirmity seems to have be
come spectacular. Railways have boon
urged t.o have cars in readiness nt a cer
tain hour for the transportation o!
troops. The ears being ready the rail
way authorities have been politely told
that the cars were not needed. Regi
ments have been loaded on trains, only'
to be unloaded again. They have been
transported from their camps only to be
transport'd back, in short, the:" seems
to be so much expensive indecision that
it is beginning to attract attention and
invito critici'S'in.
If the trouble Is in the war depart
ment, tho president should apply a very
prompt remedy. If it resides m fac
tions at iheadquailters, these factions
should be at once suppressed.
The doubt and hesitation, tiie backim
and filling that mark the movemeivs
of troops in this country are very' seri
ous im.'ters, if they point to any infirm
ity of mind or will at Washington.
The Retention of the Philippines.
A reader of The Constitution, <on
grtitularing us on the couservat:\e tone
of the paper in discussing the new ques
tions that have unexpectedly arisen as
results of the war, reminds us of the
storm of indignation which swept over
the country, annihilating party lines
for tho time being and submerging fac
tion?.. when it. was announc'd that Mr.
Cleveland had dispatc'.iod an extra
judicial envoy to Hawaii for tho pur
pose of hauling down the American flag
that had been raised tiliere ami restor
ing the monarchy that had been over
thrown. Our correspondent also men
tions the obsc.ruity’ into which some of
those engaged in that business have
been engulfed, and he conelud's by sug
gesting that th* 1 administration or party
which undertakes to haul down the
American flag that has boon planted ru
the Philippines will not for long years
to come find the climate of this repub
lic very healthy.
Well, our correspondent happens to
be a southern man a confederate vet
eran and we have no doubt that his
feelings in the ma ter are those of many
thousand of people who never take the
trouble to write to the newspapers. \Ve
do not print his communication for the
reason that it contains allusions to cer
tain persons who were not responsible
f<>r the llaAvalian programme of Cb’vc
•land. but who were unfortunately c ui
nected with it in tho public mind. But
tho suggestion about hauling down the
flag in the Philippines opens up a very
interesting branch of the discussion,
namely, what part will sentiment play
in the final disposition of the territory
Avhich providence seems to have placed
under our care”
The events which the light-minded
are wont to call the accidents of Avar
have in all ages and times groaned
themselves In such a way' as finally to
con tribute to the progress and develop
ment of man, to the growth of civiliza
tion, and to the expansion of the prin
ciples of l.iw and order. The student
who re-ids history and regards it as i
succession o>f accidents has but a super
ficial view of things. Nations have
responsibilities 'thrust upon them that,
they cannot evade. Tho PDilipnin -s
belong in this category. We did not. go
to war to capture them: they were not
on the programme at all. They Avere
thrown into onr hands by necessity. 11
Is easy to see now that the events, whioti
led un to the occupation of Manila bay
were inevitable under the circumstances.
Therefore wo are In possession of this
territory' providentially. We <ii<l not
seek tho responsibilities which this pos
session implies; they were thrust upon
us; and tho result was so unexpected
that it was a month before tho admin
istration could see Its way clear to send
ing an expedition with troops ami sup
plies to Dewey.
But what has happened since rhe ad
ministration recognized the situation?
Two expeditions have been dispatched;
General Wesley Merritt, the most ac
complished soldier in tho army, goes
out with the powers of governor gener
al; and ho carries Avith him a form of
goA'-rnmou*. i" ' iLo"- ? tariff system,
under which the Islands are to be op
erated. All this is temporary', of
course; but to what, does it seem to
lead? And when the time comes, as
some say it must come, for the United
States to get out. wha.t president and
what party will propose to haul down
the American flag that has been planted
there?
It is said that all tlhis leads to con
quest- a policy in which the republic
cannot engage. But why' use harsh
Avords that mean nothing? Why talk
about mud "imperialism,”
when these terms never had and never
will have any definite meaning with
respect to territorial acquisitions by the
United States? Would it not be as
easy' to talk about the redemption of
tiie Philippines from tho cruel and cor
rupt rule of the Spaniard? Would it
not be more truthful to say, in the event
a definite policy is developed, that this
new' territory is acquired, not for the
profit of this republic, but for the bene
fit of the inhabitants of the islands, who
would thus lie brought in touch with re
publican institutions and bo permitted t.o
enjoy the blessings of free government?
It will probably be found that a great
many of the most, intelligent and patri
otic men of this country agree with the
Rev. Dr. Landrum, of Atlanta, that this
republic has a destiny of its own and a
mission which it cannot evade with
out shirking some of the highest politi
cal duties and responsibilities that the
mind of man can conceive of. Consid
erations such as this take the whole
question of territorial acquisition out
of the domain of party polities, and lift
it to a higher and a broader plane ot
discussion. And it is here that our
public men must meet it and discuss
it if they' hope to make any profouno
or lasting impression on the American
m i nd.
'Phis aspect of the republic’s destiny
and mission has been slurred over and
covered up by domestic contentions, the
result of the late unhappy war, and
by tho disgusting struggles for place
anil power that have engaged the at
tention of those whose duty it. should
bo t<> stand for all that our free gov
ernment implies. But the moment seems
timely for Hie resurrection of that
broader American policy which would
Include a.ll wliom destiny might pla'e
under our flag in the beneficent embrace
of free institutions and government T>y
the people. Such wo firmly believe is
the mission of this repiibliv, providen
tially planted in tho western world, ano
armed with every resource that heaven
and the Ingenuity of man can supply.
We propose, at some future time, to
discuss this great prospect; but, at pres
ent the real question is not whether w?
shall retain tho Philippines, but how
we shall release our hold on them. The
story' of the man who had the Lear by
the tail is a vivid, rather than an ap
posite, illustration of what, our situation
will bt' when terms of peace come up
for discussion. It was somewhat in
Convenient for tho man to retain his hold
on tho boar’s tail, it it to turn it loose
meant vlometl-ing worse than inoon
venicncc.
We tray find ourselves ill a condition
somewhat similar -or we may' not.
Mt anw hile it is to L ■ h >ped th it. the
people will lie favor°d with more sub
stantial arguments against, territorial
acquisition than are to be found in : ’V'h
ridiculous epi'thets as onquest" and
“Imperialism.” terras that apply only to
the aggressions of potentate.-; w’to aim
to satisfy their greed.
r>
Tieutenant Commander Wainwright.
of t lie heroes of the recent na
val fi'ili* at Santiago who must not be
ovo'ba ked in the d -itr:Lution of honors
Lion tenant C-«mn inder
of fl. ■ Glonec ter.
I y .."i.a ■! ■ C meander Wainwright
will be remembered ns one of (be ofli
cers of the ill-starred M::i'' . When
that vessel met with its tra '.c fate in
Havana harbor on Feiniiary IT IS9S.
he was Iho officer of t ':■• . a i and
narrowly created death With the
memory of the Maine'? .siam'-cd
irdei’/bly' upon his tiiortrhis epi 'ont
ly wailed for the time to ■ in when he
might eke out IPs vengi’i'.nce upon the
Snaniards, uni he did no’ have Io wait
lout.'.
In the recent engagement at Santiago
Lieutenant Comma•'■le;- WainAvrit'ht was
in charge of the little uni’.r'.ior- il yacht
Avhah had formerly belong'-d to Pier
pont Atirgan and which hat! ?■ ' a--
qaentfiv been ' hristened th' air.
Although si'e was not built f or aet’ve
fighting, her gallant officer steered her
right into the tfaiekost of the fray, seem
ingly IntlifL rent to 'lie projac; io? ■ hi-di
might have torn her into a myriad <'
splinters. When the immense <ru : "f.
the Vizcaya, undertook to quit the har
bor she poiiveed immediately upon t ■ ti.
vessel, and Avhile pelting it with shot
managed to ave’d danger by k- L "; :nv
underneath its hu-re guns. Siih«equo':l.-
ly she Iteeaime involved in d'-'idly <-o:u-
. . j. - n an< i ti e Furor, two
torpedo boat ties’roy. rs. AvJ.h the resiii'
that both of them were sunk. Consider
ing the frail mo-hanl.-im and com] ara
tively light armament of the Gloucester,
the par’ which s’ ■> played in the San
tiago affair borders closely upon the mi
raculous. Certainly it dese-ve--- Io rank
among the most brilliant feats of tiie
Izieutena'it C- mmander Wainwright
has remembered the Ma : 'ie w?:h grim
a feanee. Ml honor to hero of
the Gloucester.
Battles with Tragic Results.
While the loss of m-n .sustained by
General Shafter in the recent sev- re
light in the neighborhood of Santiago
is heavy in itself ■ d. it is
in comparison with the fatality of some
of the battles of tiie late war be. ween
the states.
The figures which we give in proof of
this statement are taken from tho of
ficial records of the government, and
relaie to the union sale only. At Get
tysburg. out of SO,OOO men engaged in
that battle on the union side, there
Avere 3.070 killed. 14.197 wounded and
5.134 missing, making in the aggregate
23.001 men either killed, wounded or
missing, or nearly' 3** per cent of the
entire number < f men engaged in the
battle.
.A-t Spottsylvania. out of 130.000 nran
engaged on the union side, there Avere
2,725 killed. 13,416 wounded and 2.25 S
missi'ng, making the total loss 15,399
men. or nearly 14 per cent. In the bat
tle of the Wilderness, whore the union
forces numbered 130.000 strong, there
were 2.246 killed. 12,037 wounded and
3.383 missing, making the total loss 17.-
6G6 men, or 15 per cent. At. Antietam,
the union forces lost 2,108 killed. 9.519
wounded ami 753 missing out. of 85.000
engaged, making tiie total number of
men lost 12.410, or 15 per cent.
At Chancellorsville there were 78,000
troops engaged on tho union side, and
the losses were 1.606 killed. 9.762 wound
ed and 5,919 missing, making tho total
17.287. or 22 per cent. \t Chickamau
ga, out of 65,000 troops engaged on the
union side, there wore 1,656 killed, 9.749
wounded and 4,774 missing, making tho
total loss 16.179 mon. or nearly 25 per
cent.
Out of only 38.000 men engaged <>n
the union side at Cold Harbor there
wore 1.544 killed. 9.077 wounded anil
1.816 missing, making the total loss 12,-
737 men, or 33 per cent. At Fredericks
burg there Avere 100,000 men engaged on
the union side, and the losses wore 1.284
killed, 9.600 wounded and 1.769 missing,
making the total 12,653, or 13 per cent.
At. Manassas, out of 35,000 mon en
gaged, there were 1,747 killed,, 8,4-a2
wounded and 4,263 missing, making the
total loss 14,462 men, or 42 per cent.
At Shiloh there were 45,500 mon en
gaged on the union side, out of Avhich
number there were 1,754 killed, 8,408
wounded and 2,885 missing, making the
total loss 13,047, or 29 per cent. Out
of 43,000 men engaged on the union
side at Murfreesboro there were 1,730
killed, 7,802 wounded and 3.717 missing,
making the total loss 13.249, or 30 per
cent. At Petersburg there wore 100,000
men engaged on the union side, out of
which number there were 1,68 s killed,
8,513 wounded and 1,185 missing, mak
ing the total loss 11.386, or 11 per cent.
Other tragic engagements of the late
war might be cited, but those tiro suf
ficient to show that while the recent
fight around Santiago was severe
enough, it was rather mild in compari
son Avith some the engagements of tiie
latu war.
Acquisition from the Democratic
Standpoint.
Congressman Amos -I. Cummings, of
New York, is ardently in favor of the pol
icy of acquisition, and ably supports his
position in the matter by reviewing the
additions to the national domain made
under democratic administrations.
First, he goes back t.o the administra
tion of I’resident. Jefferson, and shows
that, tho Ixuiisiana purchase, embracing
1,171,931 square miles and extending
from tho mouth of the Mississippi river
to ITget sound, was made under that
administration, and that previous to the
acquisition of this vast territory, tho
national d omain, then spread out. along
tho Atlantic seaboard, C'.rnprisetl only
827.844 square niiies.
Next, under the administration of
President Monroe, he shows that the pen
insula of Florida and tho coast strip
of Mississippi and Alabama, embracing
59,1'68 square miles, were acquired from
Spa in.
Under tho administration of President
Polk lie shows that file republic of I'cx
as. enib'ai imr ,'<76.133 square miles, was
acquired by its admission into the foci
oral union, .and that byway of indemni
ty f or losses incurred in the war wi h
Mexico. t;he groat western area of the
continent, embracing 515.783 square
miles, was. acq :' cd also.
Next, under the administration of
Pi dep pi >.-<•, he Shows that ■he
Uni!''d States acquired -15.535 square
miles of territory, known as the Gads
den pu chase.
So putting togethe- the various pieces
o’ t.orrit.o-y acquired by the L’nited
S'.lies under the democratic admit.'- ra
tions, Congressman Cummings shows
that the aggi'egato thus actjiiired reaches
tiie enorm-'ins sum of 2,198.650 square
miles, or neatly' throe times the a
al area, of the government.
Since ti’o »• q'i:sit?■ in of territory In
the | ast ha- Ir en c’early in tu cord with
sound d";noeratic principles, Co’r.;.oss
mati < ' tminings contends that s o h is
tri’o in the present, and insists that the
I’ritid States should hold wTi’o. 'r t'".'-
r;|.;ry it m:g' a.quire rt" tiie o'.t’co'i-o
of the pr. -ent war. He arg ins t.iat
wit n .a nation borins to lose its terri
tory th', ay then c--mmences, and that
so lour as if continues to acquire terri
tory riirht f uliy it rat's’ prosper. On
■, : ■ Congri niat 1 '
sL ingly advocates 'ho policy' of aeq ii
sir e>. Ho believes that tho govorn
nie-’t should no’ e. en consider the ['.rop
o. itlon to sell l > other powers the to't'i
tory which ;' may acquire in tiie pres
ent. war.
Mot Conquest.
Democrats have a right to p-otcst
against any national policy that, means
w;tr lor : sake of conquest. Against
such a policy the whole people, with
out :egard to party, would protest and
th-:: ' who proposed it Avouid find them
selves without influence or following.
In short, war for the sake of territorial
aggrandizement is a thing' Inconceivable
so long as w maintain a republic Ji
form of government.
But Mhe democratic party' has never
been opus-d to to ritorial aeq tisition
as 'he result of war, or by means of
peaceful negotiations. Pursuing this
polL'.v, the democrats have more than
qn.ad'iipled our or'i'inal domain. Some
of this acquired territory was the re
sult <-f war -the lesiill of nar that was
not entered upon i'er tiurpe-e? of ton
quest. These facts should not be for
gotten by those Who are endeavoring to
dl-seaver where the demoeratic party
will start! when the new questions
coup for a s°t'fi'int nt. A var of
conquest is utterly repugnant to (Mmo
c"; fie principles and notions, but the
acqiri'siiion of territory as the provi
dential result of war is a policy on
which the party has been known to
jib'- ie itself in tim- s gorre bv.
The present us all must know,
was not I?'".'un for purpo.--. «of nquest.
There was no thought of such a thing.
The democrats in ecegress and out of
it Avere pai tieul irly forward in urging
the admin Istra t ion to send an till i'matum
to Spain ov.-n ’>• ore th" Maine disaster.
The sit"Uiion demanded it; public opin
ion insisted on it. It is avo ] to recall
these things, but some of our public
men do tiieinselves or their party In
justice by giving a wrong interpretation
to events.
' far as the war has gone, we do
not think it. would have been carried on
differently by a dem-ierntic administra
tion. The mistakes that have been
made belong to the situation even in
cluding the mistake of the assault on
Santiago and the tremendous loss of
IL". That event belongs to the mis
takes tha are necessary to touch our
coni'in'inders caution. It Is certain that
tire campaign in the Pacific would not
have been conducted differently under
d- 'nioernt '<■ auspices.
Tire declaration of war found Dewey’s
squadron in a neutral port, from whiv.h
1: must retire at the expiration of a
certain period. Not far away' Avas a
hostile squadron of unknown energy
and cnpncit.v, preparing (for aught that
was known) to make a, descent on ofir
Pile;tic coast.
Here was a problem which no admin
istration could settle, and for which
there was but on? solution. Dewey
could not sail about in tho high seas in
an aimless way. Ho was many’ thou
sand miles away from his base of sup
plies. A man less sure of himself
might have t ilren a different course,
but ho stoairred into Manila bay', de
stroyed the Spanish squadron and placed
new an«l unexpected rosponsi’-il?; les on
the country. The result was so un
ixpeeted, indeed, that it was some time
before tho administration could formit
li.le a policy' to fit the occasion; yet the
event made that policy inevitable. Dew
ey must l'o supported in his position;
he must have supplies, ammunition and
re-onforceni'cnts. Ho must be placed in
a position of absolute safety.
All these things, as we have pointed
out before, were ami tire inevitable. In
other words, they belong to tho ordot
of providence, and they' have thrust up
on tho people of the republic certain
responsibilities which, at present, they
cannot evade, and placed before them
questions which, though new to their
experience, they will have so solve in
tho light and by tho guidance of the
free institutions which they havd estab
lished in this country.
In view of these things, especially' in
view of the fact that, the questions in
volved are altogether new to our experi
ence, we have said, and repeat, it Imre
most, emphatically, that It is both un
wise and untimely for democrats to take
any' premature position (as party men)
with respect to the settlement of those
questions and issues. It is true they
Avill have to be settled by' pariy action,
but there is time enough for parties to
discuss the situation when tho people
know clearly all that is involved.
It. is folly t.o say that wo have occu
pied the Philippines as the result of a
Avar of conquest, or that therr reten
tion would make the war one of con
quest, or that any interpretation of the
Monroe doctrine forbids us to shower
the Ixnefits of democratic government
on the popula’tl'Ons which providence,
in its mysterious workings, throws un
der our care and protection. We <Io
not say that the Philippines should be
retained; tho doubt here, if it be a
doubt, ca.n only be cleared away by dis
cussion; we only say that no simp
feasible me,thod of disposing of them
has as yet presented itself or been sug
gested from any qtiatter. We say. more
over, t.iiat if tiie islands are retained
the epithet of “imperialism
to be changed for “republicanism. iae
republic stands, not for imperial, but
for democratic and republican policies
not for conquest, but for t.ho acquisition
and betterment of such terrijtory’ as
Providen< e throws into our hands.
It would be well for ail for demo
<*r\'bts especially to look at events ns
fa.r as possible through the medium of
,i " ■ teachings T-) seize and
tain territory that, was already enjoying
the berrefiis of free government would
be “conquest;” but to confer these hen"
fits on those who have been rnisgov
erneil for hundreds of y ears would s"‘m
to us to be the ■ ■ mi -'-sion of the
republic. (.'ertainly if Die republic
Stands for anything it stands for its
own ins’'itiitions, and by reason of its
power and infli'ence, is pledged to en
graft these Institutions wherever they
may' take root.
Smokeless Powder.
Since the reeent eiigag' tnent in tire
neighborhood oi Santiago it is useless
to contend that smokeless powder does
not possess its advantages.
On account of the wreaths of smoke
Avhich ascended from the location oc
cupied by our troops it. was easy enough
for the Spaniards to tell exactly where
to hurl their dredly mDsi’res; w re "'is.
on account of the smokeless powder
used by the Spaniards under cover, it
was alm< rt. impossible for our troops
to tliscoA • thei ■ n'eabouts. \dmira
Hervera wa.- enabled t.o render valuable
ass -lance to the Spaniards on land
solely because of the smoke which be
trayed tire precise location of our troops.
Otherwise it would have been impossible
for him to do the great damage which
he succeeded in doing with shells and
other pro.iectlies.
on sea the disadvantage arising from
tire use of old style powder is not as
great io it is on land, for while it ob
scui’pß soiiwwhiit the <iini of the Kun-
it also serves to hide the exact
locution of tire ships from tire view of
th« enemy; but overyth;ng considered,
it is of paramount importance to em
ploy’ the use of sntiik"; ■■-'s powder upon
sea as Avell as upon land.
Tho i’hiladelphi'.i Record is authority
for the stattam
der would have been in general, if not
In exclusive, use in our equipments tip
on both land a.nd sea had it not been
for contentions between favored con
tractors and bureau officials over the
kind of exjilost-ves to be a<l -> ed. Under
the idea Hint it was neec-'sary to find
out which brand was the best 'lire T’hil
a<lelphia Record sttites tli.it both army
and navy hoards have contrived to
postpone until tire pr<-’ent almost the
seti.lciment of this momentous q 'es'? >n.
There are only two vessels in the
navy which have ye: been equip
ped with smokeless powder, viz.
the Mi'.rltleii' id and tire N.■wark, Irat
operations are already under way for
equipping the oilier vesse’s ot the fleet
in like manner, and it will not be long
in ail prob.'.bility before present dlsad
vant."' s aa 1 bo ovet i un
But there is even greater need of em
p. ■ ng the us ■< f smok ■ ■
the army than there is in Die navy, and
the mor the change is made, the bet
ter it will be for our int' rests.
The United States Navy.
Accor ling to drea recently compT'd
under tire direction ol Secretary' Long
there are now 1,755 active officers en
rolled i’l I'lo navy. Os these, 781 are
line officers, 161 medical officers, 11) pay
officers. 209 engineers, 24 chaplains. 11
professors, 37 constructors, 15 civil on
gi'iieers, 190 wa "mt otliccrs. sailmak
ers and mates and 216 cadres at t ie
academy'.
Os the ships composing tho navy there
are eleven first-class, eighteen second
class. forty-three third-class and six
so tri hda v h thirty-five toi ped<
boats, twelve tugs, six sailing vessels,
five receiving vessels, t hirty-tiiree tn s
cellaneous vessels and twelve ur.s"'A ice
able vessels. Os the ships < omp"s?ng
tii" auxiliary navy tie re are thirty-six
cruisers and yachts, thirty-two stereners
and colliers. twenty-five tugs, fifteen
revenue cutters, four lighthouse ten
ders and two fish commission vessels.
As tho result of tire present war, th"
United States fl<"t. within the next few
years, is destined to compare favorably
avith that, of any nation on the globe.
._
A part of the '.morican navy will p;c
n:c off the coast of Spam this sumnn r.
Their fireworks will he more inteiesting
than a bull fight.
*
Sampson was ten miles away, but
he made the presentation s;i. ceh any
how.
—■ ■ ■ •
‘•Get Up and Get There."
From Tlic Mont zum.i Record.
Tho Atlanta <'onstltu!ion Is a great pa
per; up to date in every department, and
for get up and r there energy is far in
advance of any other morning paper in
the south.
“Songs of the Soil”
By FRANK L. STANTON.
A Dreamer in tiie Grass.
Far axvay th" tollers reap;
But in grasses cool and deep
Winds are singing me to sleep.
And the river, as It streams.
In th" shadows and the gleams
Kippl. s music through my dreams.
Far away the noisy town
Where the clouds of traffic frown:
Here the blossoms bending down.
Hero lire winds sw <.-p o’er the plains;
Here the b"e the honey drains,
Here the tinkle of the rains.
Hero tho waters, as they pass
By the dreamer in the grass
Are the lily's looking glass.
What’s a city? Bricks and towers
Wh re they toll til" heavy hours.
Here's a kingdom in the rlowetsl
Here forever let me be
Where th. river sings to sea,
With God's blue sky covering me!
A Youthful Fisherman.
There's fun out. tiiere in the country air.
Where the trees is swishln'—swlshln';
I don’t know nothin’, but I i'ist don't keer—
For I want to go a-fishin’.
1 want, to go ton mile.- from town,
Where the breezes blow and the <
d«»wn!
There’s fun out there In tho country nlr
Where the trees don’t need no trimmln’;
I don't know nothin' ind 1 won’t next
For I want tn go a sivimmln’.
I want t go
Where th.’ gator grunt:;, and the catfish
bites.
There's fun out there in the country air,
\\ tiere th" wallows go fi-skiinmln’
And you ain’t pcrtickler ’bout what you
wear.
Ami the folks believe in swimmln’.
Oh, the fish, they bit" from spring to fall.
But a boy ain't got no show at all!
An Immune.
Th" stamp tax <lo< ■< not bother me
Nor nmr tny life’s ti nQullllty;
Still- till ill g'nth p.-a. " I live;
I have no cheeks, <b ir triends, to give!
With no expr men I contend.
Having no pa kage? to send;
Never a stamp law shall I break,
Having no mortgages to make.
No great transactions kti"Av my hand;
No millAVh. < 1 ■ move at my command;
No ships at' mine that s .il the sea;
Though banks may break, they break
not me.
Serene—content. 1 go my ovay,—
Sound sleep at night, and toil by day;
From warring wolves of Tax secure—
Still thankful that I am so poor!
Witli the Country.
It’s ‘h ■ same old sun as It heaves In eight—
The same blue sky o’er the hill:
ft's a song by day. in’ a song by n'ght,
And God's with the country still!
It’s the same sweet moon with the same
soft light,
Ami the stars their splendors spill;
So a song b; day. aml'a song by night.
For God s with tho country still!
It's th" same old world with Its rosy round,
the tame ■ weet ngbln trill;
And the storm winds blow, but the roses
Uur with the country sth J
The Flag’s Way.
Darkest night, or stormiest day,
It’s the old flag waves tho way,
Whet'" th" bine stands with the gray.
Nevermore to sevt r.
How he ripples o'er tire fray
\VI,.-re the t.d swords clash and slnyl
AVhere the blue reands with the gray—
One iu heart forew r.
A S.Tier’s "Life.
A soldier’s life lovely
Beneath the tropic ‘tins;
It’s lite from blazing skies.
And lire from the guns!
He’d much pref, r a lemonade
To cannonade’s distress;
He cannot shine or. dress parade
When it's too hot to dress.
M hlle Cuban suns tire bl storing down
He hastes on glory’s quest,
He very often takes a town.
But seldom takes a rest.
But oh! hfs life Is lovely
Ben. a’ h t Ire trop <■ . nt ..;
With lire from th" blazing skies,
And lire from the gui.a!
Love, the Captain.
Love became a. captain
Marching with tho men:
But. a whippoorwill was singing—
A thrush-song thrilled the glen;
And “Halt!” cried Love the captain,
‘‘And rest a • . nu try i:.",;
And lest hi hill.s and daffodils
He vanish' d .'own the glen.
His weary soldi, rs rested
Beneath the st irs that night.
With t i.i ib.wers tall for sentinels
By 1!... : i li's of white.
And will’ th" av r not-s ringing
Calieil Loa o 1.. P .id iPc ii. re
Bui. a w’llpp's.rwi'.i was singing—
A thrush-, ng thrPhd the glen.
The Unwritten Song.
Wh;11 were tin wortls t I wished to
aa rlti'?
Something of Ilf —of the mad, swift race;
But s." v. In ■ ■ with ' • • : ol light,
Ami th I" nutlful. haunting f 1 ■.
Ind hath folh>a\ed h t ' ;a in flight.
Ami th" dreams ar" in the place;
What Aver" the words tl it I wish d to
write ?
Something of lift with its glooms and
gleams;
But sin was here with the ey> s of light.
And her yes hav< left the di
And the dark Is wonderful t .red bright
With the dr. .tn-'l With the dreams!
W ith tli. dr'.ims!
Id!"- the woids that I v. i; le d to write!
Forth- Avorld : sw- .I. with the grace
" eye* of
light
Anti the le :iiitiful haunting face!
sw< inflight,
And the dream a 1 ■ in tilt place! •
The Dear Old Tune.
It docs mo good i" hoar tho band
A-playhi’ th.it old Dix ■> land:
Til" be.,!". !- -re., fa ■ up ; - the. band.
An' hats are Avavln'!
it’s then I : re i . fe.ren’ p: ime;
It’s then I ..el m.v aperrits climb,
An’ all i li.- • . ow.l i' ■ a Ires a t line
Thai’s stavm’!
It str 1.. " .i I'ellci' tilt ia!i an' through.—
Jest as the obi song use to do
WI: ti gr.i;. wii.t mareh.n g’ln’ the blue
An bull Is lit In .
An’ . f it AV iz. ,n\ .lyin’ .1 re
An' bands pia.v.'l Dixie th.it aW.re
W .:!> mj ■ ai I' til yel.: ••Hooray!"
Cr die a-t I'A in’!
A Dreamer.
I.ovo !s a roin ni'.'i -
A dr.- irner aa . 11 content ■
H" 11 prate about "a world of gol'l,"
But will not pay the rent!
Ho sash iotas .air>' castles
Whoso flags :n azure float:
He lib -is us here, he meets us there,
But will not meet the note.