The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-04-27

We regret to observe that the Hon.
Honest John wanamaker's martial
demonstration Of lsst week Is not ne
eeived by scotfing public with that
seriousness which anything from 50 ven
erable source undoubtedly deserves.
In fact, a spirit Of Ievity appears to ex-
ist touching bis wariike deliveranee,
aud men who should have been pro-
fcundly moved aud inspired by il are
treating it as one Of the humorous in
cidents Of more OF less tragic drama.
Take the Baltimore sun, for example
With sn utter lack of that decent re-
spect which - great and good man
as John Wsnamaker should universally
command, it lightly says:
According to 8 dispatch from Phiia-
delphia the war fever has reached that
staid and quiet city Of Brotheriy Love,
and even that peaceful Christian states
man, John Wanamaker, has grown
neree and trueulent under the belllg-
erent Influences Of the time. Fired by
the jingo cries for Spanish gore, he IS
sa id 10 have telegiaphed to President
Mckinley offering TO raise regiment
Of soldiers at his own expense and lead
them himself for the liberation of the
oppressed Cubans. We are inclined TO
think, from Brother Wanamsker's rec
ord as 4 man of peace, that his offer
aud intention have been misunderstood
and that he does not propose 10 war
against the Spaniards with the imple-
ments of carnal strife. We do not be-
iieve he wiI arm his regiment with
guns and bayOnets and other shocking
and dangerous weapons used by the
ungOdly on such occasions. On the
contrary, If we read his proposition
| Alright, they will march on Havana
| heavily equipped with the choicest
articles from his great department stoOe,
each man carrying a banner bearing
some soothing and attractive legend,
/ Col. Wanamaker himself marching in
| front with a mammoth fiag containing
/ his name and coat of arms, and Hat
l tering offer of the best bargains 10 be
I had anywhere IN the world. such q
/ demonstration might not be war, in the
strict sense of that term, but it would
be magnificent, overwhelming, irresist-
/ ihle. Spaniards and Cubans alike
would throw down their arms and fiOck
around Col. Wanamaker's regiment as
| it moved upon Havana What Span
lard could resist such appeals as this:
'sCome to Wanamaker's aud be saved.
/ Finest cigars and cigarettes in the world
at lowest market rates. Bulls in and
out Of the china shop q specially"
| WHAT Cuban could turn deaf ear to
such a suggestion as this displayed on
| the regimental banners: Come, ye
weary, naked, hungry. Wanamaker' >
| fine beds are the softest in the world.
/ His canned goods are better than the
| fresh article. Special bargains IN prvt-
pty pantalettes i0r cute little Cubans.
See Col. John Wanamaker first Com
pared with such n plan Of campaign,
schemes Of independence, autonomy
and armistice pale into insignifieaDee
and become the iridescent dreams Of
mere theorists They will have no
/ chance when Col. Wanamaker goes
marching on. The solution Of the
whole trouble is found. Leave it tO
! Col. Wanamaker. Like the war horse.
he snuileth the battle afar off, and, like
other war horses, he will probably cor
/ tinue to snuff-at a safe distance. But ,
if it is a question OF oats, the war hOrse
will be where the struggle is fiercest
We submit to all candid men that
this Is iR the nature of trifiing with
sacred things.