The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1898-05-20


that the accusation is dishonest. 1t knows
that we have not engaged in war on any
, fiimsy pretext. Our record for justice,
federation and forbearance is the only
proof we offer, and that lies open for all
the world to read.
And conscience-hunted, superstitious
Spain knows best of all that this is not
our war but Gods. Once He made an
island Eden and sto, d it with the very
sweets of heaven. He set n where the
healthful gulfstream swept its shores and
the sun forever stepped it in its golden
light. This prize he gave to Spain four
centuries ago. How has che used the
blessing? How has she cherished it?
The world knows and God knows. She
has bled and robbed and ruined, starved
and crucified the child He gave her; and
His wrath has fallen.
To be an instrument of vengeance is
fearful honor and one we did not crave;
but God himself sent forth the summons,
and men who love peace have raised
their hands in war. Men who have
homes as dear to them as earthly homes
can be have left them because the homes
of other men have been made haunts of
desolation. Men who have wives and
children have buckled on their swords
because the wives and children of other
men have been driven forth to die of
want and torture. Men have said good
bye>to gray-haired mothers because the
mothers of other men have starved in the
streets of Matanzas. And will not God
protect him who has offered to lay down
his life for his friend?
furnished throne asking burdened and
maddened people to send their sons to
death that her son may be crowned. All
over the vine-clad hills of Spain there are
homes where the mothers mourn for the
boys who have died in the forests of Gu
ba and the far off Philippine Islands.
Yet the queen regent says, "Send more
boys, for my child must be king" The
blue Pacific has swallowed those boys by
the hundreds, and still comes the word,
eve will fight to the bitter end"
Well, tn 0end bids fair to be bitter in
deed to that Austrian mother and to the
people who have chosen Weyler for
their idol. Don Carlos bides his time
while the nation writhes under the tor
ments its own hand has invented. But
the banner of butchery still ftunts over
Cuba, and so we who would gladly have
peace must send warships around the
world to deal out destruction. Only
few years ago our government sent fair
white squadron from port to port in for
eign seas on mission of peace and good
will. We would fain have kept our ships
all white and spotless from the smoke of
battle, but last winter one of their num-
Der went south on last sad voyage. To-
day she lies in the treacherous harbor of
Havana, wrecked by the hand of an as
sassin, and her mates in their black war
paint are sailing the Atlantic and watch
ing for the fleets of Spain.
WE HAVE COVERED SHIPS OF WHITE.
We have covered ships of white with the hue of
sorrows night,
Snowy hulls that swept the sea without stain
Sent them with nations cheers, christined with
nations tears,
Fleets of freedom dressed In mourning for the
Maine.
From their fallen comrades grave under sad
Havana's wave,
Came the silent call of heroes fouy slain;
And nations noble sons rallied quick to man
the guns
OF the warships dressed In mourning for the
Maine.
Now the stars and stripes unfurled tell the ty-
rants of the world
That another shackled people shall be free.
And another banner true, like our own red, |
whteand blue.
Float above the island in the southern sea.
Ye who love the cause of right, cheer our sailors
In the fight,
And COumbia's sword will sever Cuba's chain;
Send aloft a nations prayer for the great Jevo-
vah's care
OF navy dressed In mourning for the Maine.
MoLLIE CARRUTHERs.
May 6, 1898.