The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-07-05


Yesterday was an historic occasion In
the United States. For almost CEN
fury and a quarter the people OF this
great republic have been celebrating In
dependence Day, but not before in re-
cent years have they had 50 much which
added TO the patriotic fervor Of the Ma
ton. As Il by design OF Fate. 1t seemed,
the people of the country, who had re-
tired on the night Of July 90 with appre-
tensions as to what the news from the
seat Of war might be in the morning Of
the day on which they had expected to
celebrates notable victory Of American
arms, as well as the occasion upon
which the republic wac born. awoke to
ind that their fears, far from being real
lied, were dispelled to give place to re-
jolcing over victory achieved by Amer
lean heroes. And this victory was IN
behalf of cause Involving the princI-
pies laid down in the declaration OF the
inallenable rights Of men, the signing
Of which gave Independence Day It's sig
nlflcanCe. Coupled with the news OF our
American soldiers holding the advan-
tages they had gained at such a fearful
cost came the report Of the de-
structlon OF the enemy's war feet.
Is 1t any wonder that, everywhere
throughout the land, and in other lands
where American citizens and soldiers
and seamen are, Independence Day
seemed more glorious than ever to the
living generations of Americans, and
that the flag appeared to wave more
proudly In the breeze? Istt any wonder
that the Fourth OF July assumed a new
significance to the young, aud revived in
the memories Of the old the days when
Independence Day was each year the re-
vlval of the quality of patriotism which
is expressed In the Declaration itself?
It was a day for the celebration of the
triumph OF American arms over for
elgn enemy of liberty on this continent
but, mingled with the rejoicing was the
grief Of the Nation that 1t could not be
so without the sacrifice Of the lives, and
the maImlng of hundreds of brave
American men who freely offered them
selves for the sacrifice. and that more
must fail before the victory at Santiago
Is completed to-day. with the waving
OF the flag throughout the length and
breadth OF the republic, the playing OF
the bands, the firing OF the cannon and
the displays Of fireworks the heroes who
fell on foreign soil, but while following
the same flag, and the living heroes who
remain there, themselves ready to do
what their comrades did. II further oc-
CASTOR arises, we're not forgotten.
It Is sad thought that the news Of
great victory in war and destruction of
the enemy, which Gets an entire Nation
almost wild with joy, must contain also
that which brings sorrow-grtef for the
lives that were sacrificed, and sorrow
for those who have been deprived of
fathers, sons, brothers and husbands.
To these have come home the real hor-
rors of war, and to their hearts the
sound Of the rejolcings Of the Nation
conveys no comfort save that Of the
consciousness that those for whom they
mourn fell for righteous cause.
Let not those who have had the sacri-
fee to bear be forgotten. There was no
Joy IN their independence Day. They
are comparatively few, but 1t is possi-
BILE that their number will be largely
added to before other victories for lib
erty and humanity, such as that cele-
brated on Independence Day, are hailed
by Joyful Nation.
THIS Is the feature OF war that all DIS
like to think about, and which war adj
vocates seldom permit themselves TO
contemplate. Perhaps II the thoughts
that come after the realization OF war
could be sdberly weighed before the real
IzatIon there would be fewer who would
denounce as towards those who are will
Ing to exhaust honorable peace meas
ures before war Is resorted to.
Rul for all these things, and they are
necessary Incidents, even OF the most
righteous Of wars, Independence Day,
1898, has been made memorable as day
in which the achievements Of the fathers
OF the republic were not only remember
ed, but as one In which honor was given
the orms OF the republic they founded,
III striking a decisive blow at the last
vestlge OF despodc monarchlcal rule on
the western hemisphere, and In making
more possible the opening up Of new
light in the Orient