The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-08
THE PREVALENCE OF IMpATlENcE.


During the past week there has been an
impatient interest to learn from Commo-
dore Dewey the details Of his victory. De-
spite the Gripping of the cable and the long
distance from Manila to Hong-Kong, which
is generally understood, the public expected
the commodores veriication. of his victory
after two or three days and the intelligence
that he had captured the town. During the
three days prior to the reception of yes
terday's news feverish Impotence and not
a little anxiety pervaded the minds of the
people. The word impatience is used be-
cause men were heard to say that they were
impatient to hear something from Dewey"
The impression prevailed that he would take
time in the midst of his campaign to write
a long account of his victory of last week
and detach one of his vessels to carry it to
Hong Kong. There has been a tinge Of
impatience in the curiosity regarding the
whereabouts and the mission of Admiral
SIMPSONS fleet. If not actually consulted
in regard to movements against the enemy,
many Of us feel that we should be advised
of all the plans of those who arg conduct
We were impatient while the naval board
was investigating the destruction of the
Maine; we were impatient with the Presi-
dent because he did his utmost to avoid
war; we were impatient because war was
not begun weeks ago by the Smelling of Ha-
vana; we were impatient that the call for
troops was not issued sooner than'it was.
The result Of this impatience has not been
salutary. Take the collecting of the troops
in this city. The order was awaited with
Impotence for several days. Companies
had held themselves in readiness to hasten
to the capital during several days. The in
quiry at that period was: ''Why are the
troops not FASTENED forward?' 1t now
turns out that if there had been more de-
liberation at that period much would have
been saved to the State and individuals If
time had been taken to ascertain what
members of companies would not go into
the service of the United States, and to
fill the ranks with men eager to go, much
would have been saved in every way. The
feeling of Impotence was so strong that had
the Governor advised that two or three days
basis of service as United States volunteers
he would have been very generally criticised
for neglecting an opportunity to make
known to the world the readiness of In
diana to respond to the Presidents CALL
We now realize that the apparent delay of
the President and the inquiry board of the
Maine was wise, because the days were de-
voted to energetic preparations for the war
which was sure to come. Had we rushed
into war upon the sinking of the Maine
Spain would have been nearly as well pre-
pared for war on the ocean as was the
United States During the season of APP
parent delay the capacity of the United
States for war, offensive and defensive, was
greatly increased. The strength Of the navy
for actual war was well-nigh doubled.
while the larger ports were put in readiness
to resist attack. While we were gaining
so much Spain did little or nothing to pre-
pare for war. Had those who so loudly
clamored for immediate bloodshed had their
way weeks ago we would, in all prob
ability, have suffered repulses at the outset
instead of achieving Surcesses