Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-11-17
The BattIeshIp Excursion.

The BattIeShIp Excursion.
The launching of the battleship Wis
consin at San Francisco, Saturday, Nov.
%, is likely to be sufficiently inter
esting event to repay those who are
able to make the distant journey, but
apart from the pleasure and interest of
the trip it should appeal particularly to
the state pride Of Wisconsin's citizens.
Other states that have been hOnored by
having q battleship named after them
have always sent large and enthusi-
astic delegation to be present at the
ceremony Of christening the ship.
Other launchings have, to be sure,
never necessitated so long a journey, as
battleships have always been launched
at a point nearer to the state from which
the christening party came. The Ore
gOn is the only battleship previously
launched at the San Francisco ship
Yards, the distance from Oregon being
comparatively convenient. But the
fact that it will be necessary to travel
DIV CI oil GIlO LIIIICo " hIlIICCO liz
launching Of the Wisconsin should not
deter well-to-do people from going.
There should be party of at least 100
on the special train that leaves for the
Pacific coast next Saturday. The eX-
cursiOn has been planned with refer
ence both to the greatest comfort OF
those participating in it and also to IN
clude an unusual amount of sightseeing.
These considerations together with the
unique object of the trip should oper-
ate to increase the number of the battle.
ship party materially before the start is
made next Saturday. Instead of the
fifty approximately who are booked &c
| represent Wisconsin at San Francisco
there should be at least twice as many
on hand to see the great ship glide into
the Water.-Sentinel.
Gen, Bragg on Future OF Democratic Party
To the Editor of the Sentinel: Re
plying to your inquiry foi an expression
of my individual opinion upon the
effect of the late election results il
Wisconsin and elsewhere, and upon the
future Of the democratic party" l car
only say, without claiming to be a seel
gifted with foresight into the future:
"That [ hope the lesson taught the
federal party in 1912, the wing party il
1916, the democratic party in and fol
! lou 10 Of4 Ill ~
the same party in 1898, have settled
forever the loyalty of the American
people, to the captain of their ship Of
state, while engaged in fragrant war, to
be superior to party prejudices and dis
likes; and will not tolerate any man
men or party, upon whom even a sus-
picion rests Of attempting party success
by tlinging mud upon the government
while so engaged, irrespective of the
politics of the administration in charge
of affairs. That discussion may precede
and criticism follow, but inter anna, all
cavil is forbidden under penalty of loss
of caste"
In Wisconsin | hope the effect will be
to reunite the democratic party in its
integrity, upon the principles of demo
cratic faith, as declared in the state
convention at Milwaukee, in June OF
1896, and a RELOCATION to the shades, OF
the heresies adopted as a make-shift at
Chicago in July, 1896, and supported by
democrats in Wisconsin to a great eX,
tent simply upon the ground of regu,
larity.
The question of expansion of terri,
tory, of protective tariff, of large and
expensive army establishment and
increased burden of taxes made neces.
sary thereby, do not think played any
conspicuous part in the Wisconsin
election, but are open subjects for dis
Cussion. EDWARD S. BRAGG,
Fond du Lac, Nov. IA, 1898.