The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-07-27
me 1DIroa aAs A DRgAH
Asto what Might Have Bean IialOy-.
Rude Awakening.

Anto What MiHht Have Beuh HlsloFy-A
Rude AWsksnlRE.
To the Editor OF the IntellIsencer.
sIR:-Reading the sorrowful details
Of death and wounds incurred and In
S.e,ed by our brave soldiers in their he
role advance on Santiago. / fell into a
r.yerie, which brought clearly before
my minds eye a very different picture
OF what might have occurred II political
rights had been conferred upon women
I've years ago.
Methought that in 1893 the United
States supreme court, mindful OF the
American principle. that governments
derive their Just powers from the con-
sent OF the governed had decided that
the fifteenth amendment. which af-
firms that "the Right Of citizens OF the
limited States to vote shall not be de-
MED or abridged on account OF race,
color, or previous conditions Of serYi-
tude by male citizens. In consequence,
women became legal voters. Now every
class that votes makes itself felt IN the
government, and the women voters
greatly Influenced the choice OF Presl-
dent and both houses OF Congress. The
Massachusetts legislature sent Mrs. Ju-
ia Ward Howe to the senate. and
Mary A. Elvermore was elected by her
congressional district as It's representa-
five. When Senator Thurston. on his
return from Cuba, made his report on
the deliberate, wholesale starvation Of
combatants BY WePler, Hon. Mrs.
Howe electrified the senate by exclaim-
ing. I'm the name Of American woman
hood, this thing must BtoDl" She at
once secured the passage OF Joint res
olutlon instrueting the President to
send Clara Barton to Madrid as plen-
ipotentiarY to represent to the queen
resent, the cabinet and the Cortes the
profound sympathy OF the American
people with both Spain and Cuba, and
10 negotiate for absolute autonomy uni
yersal amnesty, universal suffrage, and
the withdrawal OF the Spanish feet and
nrmy, Similar action was taken bH the
house, which added the name OF Sena-
Tor Thurston, at the suggestion Of Con-
gresham Mary A. Llvermore, In order
that both sexes might be represented.
The President acted promptly, and by
common consent further discussion Of
the Cuban question was postponed one
month, and questions OF domestic In
terest were taken up.
Commissioners Barton and Thurston
were received at Madrid with courtesy.
The queen regent at once granted them
a private audience, 10 which Sagasta
alone was admitted. The enormous
waste of Spanish and Cuban life and
property, the 'hopelessly indeclslVe
character Of the struggle, the shocking
cruelty OF WeVleT, and the hearty SYM
Sa,hy OF the American people with
both parties, were earnestly set forth
A contribution OF one hundred million
dollars was suggested. 0s an additional
frducement TO Spain to accent the
friendly offices OF the United States in
arranging terms OF peace.
The consent OF the queen regent and
Sagasta having been secured, the en-
tire cabinet was enlisted, and later the
leaders OF all parties IN the Cortes. The
treaty was then laid before that body.
At frst there was much opposition; but
when Miss Barton, by invitation, aP-
peared before It. bearing In her hand
the red cross, and In the name OF the
enfranchised women of America APP
pealed to Spanish generosity and chiv-
alrY, the opposition melted away. and
the terms OF Cancellation were ratified
b. an overwhelming majority. The
leading newspapers OF all parties, pre-
viously interviewed, gave their assent,
and Martinez D. Campos and CASTELAR,
were appointed commissioners on the
part Of Spain to proceed with Miss
Barton and Senator Thurston 10 Ha-
vana, there to pacity the island and ar
range for a voluntary withdrawal Of
the Spanish troops. for the distribution
Of food and clothing, and for the es-
tablishment Of provisional govern
ment.
The pacific, reasonable, and humane
action OF Congress was due to an over
whelming expression Of Its women con-
stituents all over the country against
demonstrations OF a hostile character.
Women IRE less belligerent than men.
Throughout nature the male animal IS
the fighting animal. Thus Secretary
Long refused to station an American
battieship in Havana harbor, in conse-
ouence of an earnest remonstrance
against his doing so. made by a great
meeting in Faneuil Hall called by Mrs.
Governor Wolcott, Mrs. Quincy A.
Shaw, Mrs. Alice n. Lincoln, Mrs. Ed
nah d, Cheney, and other eminent wo-
men, including several former leaders
OF the rernonstrants. The departure OF
the Maine, which had actually weighed
anchor, was countermnnded, and the
unenslness OF the Spanish authorities
was thereby appeased.
Fear had been expressed that the mill
itaFy authorities In Cuba might refuse
TO cooperate heartily in this change OF
policy. But on the contrary, the army
and the volunteers welcomed the
commissioners with enthusiasm. The
Cuban leaders were at first suspicious
II treachery. But General Blanco and
Garcia met unarmed In conference
with the commissioners. after Miss Bar
ton had first. as president OF the Red
Cross, visited Garcia IN the camp OF the
Insurgents, bearing guarantees Doth
from Madrid and from Washington, that
henceEsrth CUBA Llbre" would be
treated as a friend and ally OF both
countries. The departure OF the Span
Ish fleet from Havana, bearing with 1t
all SpaniaFds who desired 20 return, was
an occasion OF great rejoicing, and
plentiful distribution Of food, clothing.
Eeeds and agricultural implements to all
who needed them, was made By the
American Red Cross at Havana, Mat
anzas. Trinidad, Santiago, and other
seaports. The result was n speedy re-
turn OF prosperity alike TO Cuba, to
Spain. and 20 the United States. Wey--
Ter alone was regarded with universal
detestatlon and contempt, until he put
an end to his own life, and passed into
inglorious oblivion.
But while was In the act Of prepar-
ing an edltorisl for the Woman's Jour
nal congratulating the women voters
upon the happy result Of their benevo-
lent diplomacy, was awakened by the
RhrIll cries al the newshoy: - great