The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-05-03


No Such Excitement Since the Civil
War.
Washington, y. c.. May / Washing
ton is rejoiced tonight. Not since the
dark days OF the great civil conflict Of 4
third of 4 century ago have the people Of
this city been 50 profoundly excited by
war news rs they were this evening.
The first battle Of the Spanisl-Ameri-
can war has been fought and victory lies
with Admiral Devey's squadron under
the stars and stripes.
That was enough to set the people Of
Washington almost il frenzy Of enthu-
siaStic rejoicing. For days, they. in com
mon With the people throughout the
country have been awaiting news from
the Philippine Islands as everything
pointed to i battle 1t Manila that might
he Il decisive conflict OF the War. When
the news came indicating 4 great victory
for the American squadron. the enthu-
siasm Of the people was let loose and
the streets Of the city have rung With
cheers throughout the night.
The first news Of the battle received
in Washington came in a brief cable
gram to the Associated Press from Mad
rid about s o'clock this evening.
As the night wore on the cable con
| tllueU TO sing lHe news - NlctoIS ~
the squadron of Admiral Dewey and the
Interest grew into tremendous excite
mont.
Ordinarily. Washington IS the pnietest
Of cities on Sunday. but as bulletin after
bulletin was posted IL front
of the neWpaper offices, each
| successive one conveying mtor-
nation more gratifying than its pre-
decessor. the crowds III the streets be
came unroarous. Good, rs we'll as bad
news. spread rapidly and 10y ID o'clock
the streets were crowded with people, all
discussing the one exciting topic Of the
hour Hundreds gathered III front Of
the bulletin boards and every ScintilIa
of news and it was all @lorious-Was re-
cciycd with enthusiastic cheers. nile
victory had been expected, the news Of It
coming az it did, come from Spanish
sources-gave vent to the patriotism OF
the people which has been pent np for
days. / was spontaneous outburst Of
patriotic feeling that scarcely knew
bounds. Admiral Dewey's name was on
every lip and his praises were sung II
the rei0icings Of the people.
Thus far no official adyicos had been
received by the Government, but tie
Associated Press dispatches were trans
mitted to the President and officials q
the administration rs RAPIDLY as theE
were received. The President, in COM
panv with several Of his advisers. read
the bulletins in the library Of the White
House early in the evening. h"t lafer
III the night he went to his office on Tie
second floor Of the Executive Mansion.
where until a late hour, he continued
to peruse every dispatch With deepest
interest The news was evidently Of the
:, .+.zI.+ hff)
statement could be obtained ut the EN-
ecutive Mansion concerning the battle
OF its possible consequences
Officials Of the Navy Department We're
reticent i'm discussing the conflict IN tic
absence Of official information. hut they
made no nretpnSe Of c0ncealing their
great qualification. Secretary Long de
Clined to comment unon the subject b1t
It was evident that he felt relieved II
has been known for days at tho Navy
/ Department that d conflict at Manila
was inevitable. and while no great feaI
1T the result was expressed. there was
vet 4 deen concern in the heart Of every
official Tonight.s news moves 4 great
i weight FROM the minds Of all
! When Secretary Bliss Was shown the
| first dispatch. briefly recounting the VIC
tory of the American squadron. he TN
/
1T the result and gave uftcrance TO the
hope that Admiral DeWey,s fleet had not
suffered greatly. Senator llama and
/ Mr.. Chaunccy VI. DepeW. Of New ork.
who were with Secretary Bliss. at The
| time were delighted with the adyiceS.
and made no concealuent Of their pleas
ure
Navy and army circles. after manifest
ing throughout the day the greatest
cagerness for news from the Philip
/ pines, received with intense JOY the ad
vices telling Of the victory Of Admiral
l Deweys feet. Their satisfaction that
the defeat Of the Spanish had been over
uhelming was strengthened by reason
Of the news coming almost wholly from
/ Madrid, and they were HnreServed II
expressing their qualification upon the
signal triumph Of the American forces.
/ At the Army and Navy Club large
! company was gathered and read and
commented upon the story Of the engage
ment. as it was presented in the bulletins
! of the Associated Press. At the club,
down town. at their homes and where
ever seen, the officers were free in giving