Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-24
Some Reflections.
= Greenbrier INDEPENDENT :

Editor GreenbTier INDEPENDENT:
Now that Congress has assembled, =,
it would not be amiss for all patri-
otic citizens to join in the chorus of
the court.cryers' petition, "God
Save the Country"
1t is reported that certain dis
tinguished American who had the
good Of his country at heart, when
on one occasion informed by his
friend that he had just seen "the
last act of ongress," replied,
g Thank God, if it is the last" |
have just finished reading MIR. Cleve-
lands last message, and am some-
what moved to indulge like ex-
preston. The most notable thing
about this recent message is its length
consisting as it does Of some 10000
words. The other dimensions are
not remarkable. 1t would not
commend itself by its height, depth
or width. Some of these 10000
words are very choice specimens of
AnglO-SaXon and Latin derivatives,
and might be used to good advantage
in constructing bills to be presented
to Congress.
The report of the Presidents own
laoors within the last year is exceed
ingly meagor. No mention whatever
is made of duck brought down by
his fowling- piece nor does he give
us even the estimated cost to the
government of his cunning expedi-
tons Since it is his habit to use on
such occasions one of the lighthouse
tenders, the people would like to
know something of the price of such
luXuries. We had hoped, too, that
he would recommend some radical
change in the game and fish law
There ought, by all means, to be some
limit to the season for catching hog
suckers and shooting craps.
That portion of the message con-
corning Cuba, to which most Of us
have looked forward with interest,
is remarkable for its lack of remarka-
bleness. The President sums up his
view of the situation in the follow
ing aCords:
Were the Spanish armies able to
meet their antagonists in the open,
or In pitched battle, prompt and de-
decisive results might be looked for,
and the immense superiority of the
Spanish forces in numbers, decipline
and equipment, could hardly fail to
tell greatly to their advantage, but
they are called upon to face a foe
that shuns general engagements,
that can choose and does choose its
own ground, that from the nature of
the country is visible or invisible at
pleasure, and that fights only from
ambuscade and when all the advan-
tages of position and numbers are
on its side"
L have taken the pains to dissect
this elongated utterance and to sub
Ject its separate particles to micro
scopic examination, and for the bene-
tit of the casual reader have endeay-
ored to translate the same into United
States language and serve it on the
installment plan. Mr.. Cleveland
evidently means to speak as follows
:" If the Spanish troops we're able to
catch and disarm the insurgents.
they would surely kick the stuffin'
out Of 'em but the Cubans are an
ill-bred and discOurteous set and
positively refuse to be caught or
licked by the better uniformed sol.
diers of the mother country. The
Spaniards would have much bet
ter show if in some sections the Cu-
bans could be seen when they amt
seen, and in other localities could
not be seen at all when they appear
in numbers decidedly unwholesome.
Or to be more explicit, Spain is la
boring under the same difficulty that
confronted the Hon. John l.. Sulli-
van when he undertook to wipe up
the ground with His Excellency,
Charles Mitchell on which occasion
it will be remembered Mr.. Mitchell
declined to stand still and be
knocked out"
This official utterance of the Presi-
dent is original and suggestive, and
will speedily terminate the troubles
of the island, if acted upon. We
doubt, however, the willingness of
Maceo and his brave band to meekly
lay their heads on the butchers
block without at least a formal pro-
test.
The President has in an equally
clear and concise manner discussed
all the leading questions of the day,
and, in his own mind evidently the
most important thing in the whole
document is mentioned at the very
close, in these words, Grover
Cleveland"
If this criticism of the message
should seem to be at all harsh, l beg
to assure Mr.. Cleveland, who will of
course, read this letter, that nothing
personal is meant by any utterance