The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-06-23
Some Rambling Thoughts.
BY MEMO"
copyrighted by Dave and Tabor.l

Copyrighted by Dave and Tabor.
When the shells of destruction aim
ed by steady American hands, hurt
led against the ill-managed ships and
forts in Manila harbor, they did much
more than damage the laggard Spain;
they did much more than endear
Dewey to our hearts; they did much
more than add another to the worlds
deeds of cool courage; they hoarsely
sent around the world a proclama-
ton. 1t was that the American
heart is once more one and indivisible.
Since the days of IS when the people
beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks"
there has been needed just such
strong welding influence as the pres
ent conflict to make the surface unity
of national life a unity in deepest
truth. The unity is here North to
where some rugged opponents to Sc
cession still imagined dangers in the
southland. South to where equally
sturdy and brave men spoke
an occasional explanatory eff" West
to the States whose majorities were
strong against the East whose inter
ests they understood. East where
maritime bias and vast commercial
interests sometimes foster an appar-
ent pride - from the peaks of the
Sierra Madre to the ports of the At
lantic, from the pines of Maine to the
palms of Florida-one proud united
endorsement of Decatur's words has
gone up "OUR country, may she ever
be right But Our country, right or
wrong
49,
1t is said 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 be succeeded. 1t 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
a desert and then to call it Peace"
that a hopeless wall of prolonged
agony has gone up to the quiet skies
from a thousand times five hundred
harmless creatures to make Spanish
triumph.
But it is blessed to be able to say
that we have heard, and we have
answered. Thus, just as with all no
BILE 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 thrilling us all with one spirit
of kinship and partnership in the
brave deeds done by our army.
Those poor wretches who have
nerved 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 foodships and the
clothing, the soothing 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.
~
1t is thrilling to note how old war
leaders of both sides thirty-five years
ago have offered their services to the
government, and it is joy to notethat
they long to fight no longer face to
face but side by side. This is grand
time in our national history and big
with possibilities. Mark too, how the
colored men have shown their eager
ness 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 batteries of artillery for the
front; and SO on through lists that
the telegraph has already made
hhO"h uhlOoSliOup Vic
Even those who in many cases have
not yet been adopted by us, wish to
wage conflict on our behalf because
they believe we are right; among
such, five thousand Hebrews.
The passing shadow OF some cruel bird of prey
mites the callow brood too apt afar to stray;
And cen the thought of danger to our native
land
Upstairs the failing heart and joins the sey-
cred hand.
May we not go one step further in
describing the unifying effects of this
righteous war. From our kindred
across the sea come approving and
friendly echoes that speak of the slow
healing of still deeper wound and
the gradual fading of still older scar.