The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1898-05-19
OUR COUNTRY IT Is.
THERE IS NO LONGER ANY
DIVISION.
Present Day Thoughts.
BY "NEMO."
Present Day Though
Copyrighted by Dave & Tabor

| When the shells of destruction aim
cd by steady American hands, hurtlet
against the lll-mauaged ships and fort
in Manila harbor, they did much NOR
than damage the laggard Spain; the,
did much more than endear Dewey t,
our hearts they did much more thar
add another to the worlds deeds of COO
courage; they hoarsely sent aroundlth.
world proclamation. 1t was that th.
American heart is once more one ane
lndivisible. Since the days OF '65
when the people cheat their plow-share.
and their spears into pruning hooks,
there has been needed just such {
strong welding influence as the present
conflict to make the surface unity o1
national life unity in deepest truth
The unity Is here. North to where
some rugged opponents to secession
still imagined dangers in the southland
South to where equally sturdy and
brave men spoke an occasional explain
atory "If," West to the States whose
majorities we're strong against the East
whose interests they misunderstood
East where maritime bias and vast com
mercial interests sometimes foster an
apparent prlde-from the peaks of the
Sierra Madre to the ports OF the Allan
tic, from the pines OF Maine to the
palms Of Florida-one proud and united
endorsement of Decatur's words has
gone up "OUR country, may she ever
be right! But OUR country, right or
wrong"
It is sad to be compelled to agree
with Mr. John Fiske when he SAYS
"The Spanish system of government in
America was so thoroughly bad that
even in the hands of saints it could not
have succeeded. It was based upon
two bad things, commercial monopoly
and political despotism."
1t is horrible to realize that a peace
full peasantry has been slain to make
desert and then call it "Peace," that a
hopeless wall of prolonged agony has
gone up to the quiet skies from thou
sand times five hundred harmless Great
,,roc n Cno-icb fri
But it is blessed to be able to say
that we have heard, and we have
answered. Thus, just as with all noble
causes espoused, they bring their own
sweet reward, and our reward has come,
as pointed out last week, in sinking
religious differences, and now in thrill
ling us all with one spirit of kinship
and partnership in in the brave deeds
done by our navy and projected by our
army.
Those poor wretches who have nerv-
ed us to strike at the rulers who have
fattened on misery, have brought US
a greater blessing than we can bring
them, much though they need the
food-ships and the clothing, the sooth-
ing and the solace of friendly regard
and treatment. They have brought us
into vital union-we are simply setting
straight paths before their pierced
feet.
KS
It Is thrilling to note how old war
leaders of both sides thirty-fve years
ago have offered their services to the
government, and it is JOY to note that
they long to fight no longer face to face
but size by side. This is a grand time
in our national history and big with
possibilities. Mark too, how the col
ored men have shown their eagerness
to serve country that is their country
too and likely ever to remain so. Then
the gifts of yachts from the wealthy for
the mosquito fleet, of complete bat
teries of artillery for the front; and so
on throughout the country. Even
those who in many cases have not yet
been adopted by US, wish to wage con-
flict ON our behalf because they believe
we are right among such, five thou
sand Hebrews,
The passing shadow OF some cruel bird
of prey
Un;tes the callow brood too apt afar to
stray;
And cen the thought of danger to our
native land
Upstirs the failing heart and joins the
severed hand.
May we not 60 one step further in
describing the effects of this righteous
war? From our kindred across the
sea come approving and friendly echoes
that speak OF the healing Of still deeper
wound and the gradual fading OF still
older scar. Almost for the first time,
England has appreciated our motives,
approved our deeds, and given us a
| Thousands of sufferers from grippe
have been restored to health by One
| FyaruI. fVY1ro II ul1iek1v onrQc