Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1898-05-06
Old Glory Adorns all Buildings and the
Deepest Interest is Taken in
the Situation.
Wisdom Of the Course of President
Mckinley in Making Ample
Preparations.
Patriotic North Dakotans Who Have
Communicated Their Willing
ness to Serve.

there been such earnest, intense feeling
as now prevails III this city, and no
Fourth Of July or other gala day decora-
tons have exceeded in magnitude those
now displayed on every street in the
nations capital. IAN occasional single
star is seen but "old glory'' with it's
thirteen stripes and f~orty-6ve stars,
predominates. 1t is waving from every
dome and flagstaff. 1t adorns thousands
OF residences and in miniature is worn
by thousands of enthusiastic citizens of
every nationally and irrespective of
social conditions. Since the destruction
of the Maine the wave of enthusiasm,
or rather of suppressed desire and de-
termination for revenge, has increased
and been more pronounced each day
until now there is but one sentiment
on to Havana-and to Spain, if neces-
sary.
AS matters develop from day to day
the craftsmanship and good judgment
of President Mckinley in not acceding
to the popular clamor of the people and
the frantic demands of the democrats
for a declaration of war before the time,
are more apparent. Two months ago
this country was in no condition for war
with another maritime nation. The adj
mi%nistration knew this but the people
did not realize it. Many, even in on
gress, would have plunged the nation
into war first and make preparations
afterwards, and noticeable among the
"reconcentrados" in the house who have
distinguished themselves, or rather be-
Titled themselves, in opposition to the
good judgment of the president is our
own Congressman johnson.
1t is simply astonishing what has
been accomplished in the brief period
between the blowing up of the "Maine"
and the official declaration Of war, in
the way of placing the nation or a war
footing. We are now ready-the dogs
of war have broken their chains-and
the end no one can foresee. This may
be but the lighting of the torch that
shall set the world ablaze. The contin-
entail powers may become involved and
there may be a ten or a twenty years
| war, the like of which the world has
never known. But this is not likely to
be the case. If Spain gives battle with
her heet-if she comes across the ocean
to fight for the retention of her rebel
lious colony-the war will be of brief
Observation-Disclosures it will be we'll to
not underestimate the meaning of this
world-unforseen accidents happen. 1t
is generally admitted that in a modern
naval conflict there will be much chance
and great opportunities for the 'sunex-
pected" from accidental" or .lucky"
shots in vital places. Those who are
best qualified to Judge. however, place
our chances in a naval contest at the
present time with Spain at three to one
in our favor: and as for the ultimate out
come with our land forces-1O0 to 1. It
is an open secret that Gen. Miles would
like to humiliate the Dons by invading
their own "fatherland'' and has no
doubts of his ability to march to Madrid
with half a million men-if-mark the
Importance of this little word-if the
navy acquits itself credibly. But the
present temper of this country
is not in favor of such a move.
We o simply want to drive Spain
from the Western Hemisphere, and pos
sibly, in the way of retaliation and
reparation, take Porto Rico and the
Philippines.
But enough on this line. The aesoci-
ated press will give the TRIBUNE
readers the latest news every. day.
What I may say from.time to time will
be in the nature of gossip of more or
less interest to North Dakotans.
The "Flickertail" state, by the way,
has not been tardy in demonstrations of
patriotism. Governor Briggs sometime
ago-long before the call for volunteers
placed one regiment Of infantry, one
light battery and n troop of cavalry at
the disposal of the president and through
Senator Hansbrough the president paid
our state a handsome compliment.
Then there are any number of indi-
vidual offers of services, all of which
have been referred to the proper depart
ments: DR.. Porter and DR.. Harcourt of
Bismarck were among the first to vol
unteer. Then came DR.. Swanston OF
Devils Lake-he wants q surgeons com
mission on board one ;otsthe battleships;
and Father Conaty OF Grand Forks
offers his services as chaplain on board
one of men-of-war. Col. Creel
wants to raise q regiment Of volunteers
and DR.. Vaughn, Of Cando, an ex.con-
federate, now wants to demonstrate his
loyalty to q united country. Halvor
Torgerson Of Milton vouches for the
sturdy sons of Scandinavia and wants