The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-08-31

BEEN VlNDlCAIEDs
It win be recalled that for some time
before the declaration of war there was
storm Of protests throughout the coun-
try from those who failed to appreciate
the conditions existing. and the state of
unpreparedness OF the country to so to
war on very short notice. because of the
alleged delay" in striking at Spain.
The charge went up everywhere that
there was delay, and In every sensa-
tional newspaper the word delay" was
the principal word In the headlines. The
white house at Washington was flooded
with demand to "open up on Havana"
and members OF Congress were besIeged
with indignant letters from their con-
stituents wanting to know II they real
lzed that the people were aroused over
the delay"
These complaints were at time when
the country was not prepared for the
short, sharp and decisive war that the
situation demanded. Events have since
vindlcated the course of the admlnistra-
ton and OF Congress, and those who
were so impetuous and So critical have
learned to sse just wherein the course
pursued was necessary.
In referring to this recent bit of his
tory. Congressman Dovener said to an
IntellIgencer reporter last night that he
had received stacks OF letters of the
hurry up" kind, and expressing fear
lest there would be a reaction against
the administration as a result Of the In
conslderate criticisms of what was then
known as the "jlngo press.% One West
Virginia correspondent, DR.. W. S. Jones,
of Warrington, wrote the captain let
ter, filled with patriotism. in which he
wanted to know the real truth about the
cause of delay" which he feared would
have It's reactionary effect The cap
tain sent him reply, briefly giving the
situation and expressing q. prediction
which, In the light of subsequent history
proved to be prophetic.
Captain Doverner stated last night
that, as a sequel to this incident, which
was but one of many similar ones, since
the war came to a close, with the out
come predicted in his letter two weeks
before the declaration of war, his COR
respondent has written to him remind
ing him OF his letter of April 8. and ask
ing him the privilege Of publishing 1t,
as an evidence of how completely every
word of 1t had proved true, and that the
so-called delay" policy had been vlndl-
Gated.
The captain was not sure Just how he
had worded the letter referred to, and
asked the Warrington friend to forward
him q copy of 1t, which ne did. This
was within few days past, and the let
ter, which Representative Dovener says
ne has granted his Mannlgton cores
pondent the privilege of publishing fol-
lows. 1t is interesting as showing how
closely in touch ana in sympathy with
the administration were the members Of
Congress. who were bearing their share
of the complaints, and how much faith
they had in the early outcome of the
war:
House Of Representatives U. g..
WASHINGTON, d. c., April s, 1855.
'w. s. Jones, NJ. D., Warrington, W. Va.
DEAR SIR:-I am in receipt Of and
thank you for your patriotic letter.
wish TO assure you that nothing short OF
complete and absolute independence OF
Cuba, and proper and satisfactory adj
justment Of the Maine horror Is contem.
iIiRted by any member OF Congress, and
j feel assured that when the Presidents
meSSage Is read on Monday next TO the
house OF representatives It's tone and ut
terances will meet the requirements Of
INC most exactinE and patriotic Of the
citizens Of our patriotic land.
There has been o great deal Oh delay
and ], with others, have at tlmeS had 10
restrain my natural desire to get at once
Al nc cruel and Infamous nation that has
for centuries been. in Its dealings with
rs colonies and helpless savages, both
shameless and worse than barbarous,
But events have proven that the outcome
viii be all to our advantage.
'At the outset we were unprepared TO
wage quick and vigorous war. we are
now In splendid shape to teach spain n
lesson that will last until her dissolution.
The outcome OF this war will be loss to
Spain OF not only Cuba, but, in my opln-
ion, Porto Rico and the Philippine Islands.
The President has exhausted every hon
orable means to secure peacefully what we
REQUIRE OF Spain, but to no avail, and now
when we open this war Il will be with the
consciousness that we have left nothing
undone, that we arc equal to all demands
that may be made upon US, and that wq
have entered with dignity upon this awful
responsibility, with full knowledge Of It's
consequences. and not after the manner
OF a headstroug and passionate boy.
Preserve your estimate OF the President
until after the message II read, and l
know, n II Is what fully expect II TO be-,
that you and all other patriotic citizens
VIII say Amen.
'iThe Presidents reply to the foreign am
bnssndOrs was all that could be asked.
and was frm and dlEnined. The delay
from Wednesday until Monday was ne
cessItAted, that Lee and other Americans
might have an opportunity to get away.
otherwise they might have been mnssacred
by the Spunihrds In Cuba, BE sure that
never by my vote will ] ascent TO any:
thing short OF complete independence and
an adequate indemnity for the Maine.
Sincerely yours,
'lj. b. DOVENER,"