Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1898-10-13
Two Battle Incidents.

IIes1uent mckinney proclamation,
asking the American people to stay the
feeling of eXultation over recent victor
les. and reverently bowling before AL
mighty God, TO give thanks for divine
help and pray for speedy peace, marks
us as a Christian nation; but no less
significant has heen 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 Nag 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 a wild cheer, their commander gave
the order TO bis men, Don't cheer.
boys, the poor fellows ere dying!" and
the flag came down in silence.
Was not this not merely an exhibit
ton OF Christian ~magnanimity, but in
harmony with the gentle consideration
inculcated by the Great Teacher?
The United States cruiser Texas went
through the battle exposed to the enc
my's ~fiercest fire, with only a single
wound and without the loss OF a a
At the close she lay on c still sea
alongside the C~hristobal Colon, the last
surrendered Spanish ship. at was a
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 cat from Captain Philip,
"All hands to musterp'
The crew hurried 20 the quarter
deck. and soon the chief master-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:
81 want to make public acknowledge
ment that / believe in God. the Father
Almighty. ] want all you officers and
men to lift your hats, ard from your
hearts offer silent thanks TO God"
Every hat came eff and every head
was bowed. Not a sound was heard for
nearly two minutes. and then with one
accord the whole crew broke oil with
three hearty cheers for their gallant
commander.
Bayard Taylor's well-knovn line
sings, "The bravest are the tcnderest."
We mean more than mere physical
bravery when W say tho bravest are
the most revcrent. All the reverent
tenderness OF these battle Incidents
thrills us in the thanksgiving procla-
nation of our president, himself g SOL
der. The composition Is one OF beau
ty. but higher than its literary grace is
the magnanimous spirit in which II re-
Dukes noisy cxultation. and exhorts to
compassion for the fallen. and thanks
to ne God Of Hosts. WHO has watched
over u cause, and brought nearer
re success OF the right and The attain
uent Of peace"
In the midst Of THE war against cen
turies Of human ilinstice. there Is a
felicity in the fac, that in camp and
ship and HOSPITAL our troops hare the
best religious accessories OF q God
fearing nation. and that so many of
cur chief military and naval leaders
are men of ChriRtian record and char
acter. The virtue aud piety Of 4 war
ricr lives in rugged surroundings, but
no fighting generation ever had more
Hayelocks and Howa:ds ard Farraguts
than ours.