The Philipsburg mail., 1898-12-09
Two Battle Incidents.

President Mckinley's proclamation,
asking the American people to stay the
feeling OF exultetion over recent victor
les. and reverentiy bowing before Al
mighty God. to give thanks for divine
help and pray for speedy peace, marks
us as Christian nation; but no less
significant has been the conduct Of our
officers and soldiers in the field. Among
other incidents showing the Christian
spirit in the midst Of the horrors of bat
tie are two so tender and reverent as to
be worthy OF permanent record.
When the yellow and red flag on the
Spanish Cruiser Almirante Oquendo was
pulled down, during the destruction of
Admiral Cervera's fleet, and the Ameri-
cans. flushed with conquest, were on
the point OF expressing their triumph
in wild cheer their commander gave
the order to his men. Don't cheer.
boys, the poor fellows are dying!" and
the flag came down in silence.
Was not this not merely an exhib!-
tion of Christian magnanimity, but in
harmony with the gentle consideration
snculcated BY the Great Teacher?
The United States cruiser Texas went
through the battle exposed to the enc
my's fiercest fire, with only single
wound and without the loss OF man.
At the close she lay on still sea
alongside the Christobal Colon, the last
surrendered Spanish ship. ut was
beautiful afternoon" writes Chaplain
Jones. Gods heavens never looked so
clear, and the stars and stripes never
seemed so pure as they did then" The
order went out from Captain Philip,
"All hands to muster!'
The crew hurried to the quarter
deck, and soon the chief mastcr-at-
arms reported the last man up from
below who could be allowed to leave
his station. All stood wondering what
their commander was going to do. The
captain uncovered his head and said, In
a reverent voice:
II want to make public acknowledg-
ment that believe in GOD, the Father
Almighty. l want all you officers and
men to lift your hats, and from your
hearts offer silent thanks to God"
Every hat came off and every head
was bowed. Not sound was heard for
nearly two minutes, aud then with one
accord the whole crew broke out with
three hearty cheers for their gallant
commander
Bayard Taylor's well-known line
sings, "The bravest are the tenderest."
We mean more than mere physical
bravery when we say the bravest are
the most reverent. All the reverent
tenderness of these battle incidents
thrills US In the Thanksgiving procla-
nation of our president, himself SOL
dier. The composition Is one OF beau
tv but higher than Its literary grace Is
the magnanmous spirit in which 1t re-
Dukes noisy exultation, and exhorts to
comma ssiOn for the fallen. and thanks
IN the God Of Hosts, "Who has watched
over our cause, and brought nearer
the success OF the right and the attain
ment Of peace
In the midst Of this war against CEN
tnries of human injustice, there Is a
felicity in the fact that in camp and
ship and hospital our troops have the
best religious accessories OF a God
fearing nation, and that SO many OF
our chief military and naval leaders
arc men Of Christian record and char
acter. The virtue and plety OF war
r,or lives in rugged surroundings, but
M fighting generation ever Ead more
UavHocks and Howards and Farraguts
than ours.