Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1898-07-14
Washington Letter.

/ - NeN'-AA - = 'CAA AACNNCAe
II is good to be an American these
days, when the whole world is applaud
mig the bravery of the men who fight
under the stars and stripes, and who
win against all sorts Of Odds and hold
their own under all sorts Of difficulties
The nose we know Of the sea fight that
, resulted in the complete destruction of
Admiral Cerveras fleet aud tho capture
Of himself and ne, Ply 1900 of ais men,
the more pride we feel in our navy. Al
though the fight lasted several hours
and was between ships on our side that
were in armament not as heavy as the
Spanish ships, we won this great victo-
ry with the loss of onlY one man killed
and two wounded, and without materi-
al injury to any of our ships, Nothing
more daring has been done in naval his
tory than the attacking and sinking of
the Two Spanish torpedo boat destroy
ers by the Gloucester, a converted
yacht, under command of Lieut. Com
mander Wainwright, who was execu-
tive officer OF the Maine when she was
blown up,
We have reason to be proud of our
army under Cen Shaftor, too. 1t has
fought is way to Santiago against con-
ditiOns that would have been insur-
mOuntabie 10 men not determined to
win at any COST and, although the
| Spanish army has been more than doub-
led by reinforcements, it holds Its own
and only waits the order to take the
town by storm. II Is possible the town
may surrender under tho bombardment
and that the loss of life that will be
necessary to accompany taking it by as
sault may be esclped. II is the wish of
the President that there shall be no
sacrifice of life, now that the destruct-
ion of Cervera's feet has been accom-
plished. Consequently Santiago may
not be taken for few days, unless it
surrenders.
Not the least good news Of tue week
Was the announcement that Lieut.. Hob
son and his men had been exchanged.
Even Senate debate ends sometime,
The Hawaiian annexation resolution
has been adopted by the Senate. The
vote was ~ to II.
No speech made during the one-sided
anne xation debate IN the Senate has
been as much talked about as that OF
Senator noar, in which he took the
somewhat peculiar stand OF favOring the
annexation Of Hawaii and opposing the
tue retention of any of the Spanish is
lands that may be in our possession at
the close of the war. He also put him
self on record as being opposed TO the
maintenance Of u large standing army
in time Of peace and to building and
keeping up great navy. 1t is not
strange that Senator Lindsay should
have called Mr.. Hoar's speech an apollo
Icy for the annexation of Hawaii, as
we'll as a protest against colonial eX-
pansiOn. Mr.. Hoar is another incon-
gruous recruit under the anti-colonial
banner jointly raised by Grover Cleve-
land and William Jennings Bryan. 1t
is daily becoming more evident that
tue policy Of this government towards
the territory captured during the war
Is going W bring about a political con-
test that will smash party lines as they
now exisI.
Tue greatest indignation is felt in
Washington because Of tue unciVIlized
action OF tho Spanish during the seige
OF santiago, in firing upon wounded
men lying upon litlers in charge Of men
wearing Tue emblem Of the Rcd Cross
Society, recognized by all civilized ma
done just once, but repeatedly occurred
leaving not the slightest doubt of its
ueIng Intentional. 1t also adds to the
indiE - ton to know that the Spaniards
were uhpnncipled enough to take ad
vonJag- OF our recognition Of the Red
Cross Il ly to hoist it over masked bat
ter,es, 50 Lnat their gunners could SHOOT
down our men without danger of being
. suot themselves. II seems hard t,
fight - Gu loo fairly, but we have t,
do 1t; We c ,nnot afford to become savag
es because the Spaniards are sayages
1t is their nature; their whole historl
is one long record Of savagery an,
treachory-a record blacker than tina
? Of any 0tu5r natton that makes TIN
slightest pretence Of being civilized
: Nothing but regret is felt by the rea
friends Of the gallant naval officers whC
partieipaLed 10 the destruction of Cerve
ra's feet az the attempt nude in Con
gress and n the columns Of few news
= papers 70 We this or that individual