The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-05-28
PERSEUS and NED|JSA
Ancient Wonder Story as
EIucidated BY Bacon
Is EXPLAINED TO APPLY
To the Present War BY an In
geniouS 0kIahoman.

years ago the most profound and search
ing intellect that ever dwelt among men
gave to the world, in THE Wisdom of the
Ancients." a rational explanation Of some
Of the stories Of the Grecian mythology.
One Of these explanations dwelt with the
story OF Perseus cutting off the head OF
Medusa. that frightful female head which
turned men TO stone who gazed upon it.
Bacon iuterprets this fable as describing
the art and judicious conduct of war, and
this particular essay is we'll worth read
ing at this time in connection with our
own war with Spain. The essay is en-
titled ''Persues, or War;" and opens as
follows:
"Perseus was sent, 1t is said, by
Pallas, TO cut off the head of Me-
dusa, from whom many nations in
the westermost parts Of Spain suf-
fered grievous calamities: mon
ster so dreadful and horrible that
the mere sight of her turned men
TO stone"
It seems from this that our enemy is the
original Medusa, and is still plying her
ancient and devilish practices in inficting
upon her unfortunate subjects in the West
Indies the usual calamities. Continuing.
Bacon says:
by way OF equipment for this
noble exploit, Perseus received
arms and gifts from Several diff
ferent gods. Mercury gave him
wings for his feet Pluto gave him
a helmet: Pallas shield and mir
ror. And yet so well provided and
h
proceed against Medusa directly.
but went out of his way to visit the
Graecae, who were half-sisters Of
the Gorgeous"
Persues is, evidently-my prophetic
soul!-our Uncle Samuel! He has been
given by congress-the three gods of Re
publicanism, Democracy and POpuiism-
the wings of steam for his heels, the he'll
met of armOred battle ships. and the
shield and mirror Of coast defense. And
yet, so well provided, your Uncle Sam
did not proceed against Spain directly,
but against her hslf-sister, the Philip
pines. and cut off her head the first stroke
He found her asleep" says Bacon, ard
that really seems to have been what the
Spanish admiral was Doing when the re-
verberations Of Dewey's cannon broke
upon the early morning air.
The severed head was fixed by
Perseus in Pallas' shield where il
still retained its power Of striking
stiff, as if thunder or planet
stricken, all who looked upon it"
Of course this has reference to the fix
ing of the Philippines in the shield of IN
Gle Sans possessions. and as fearful
lesson 70 any power who may be inclined
to get gay, or to look upon the severed
head with covetous eyes. France VA
please pinch herself to see if she is
awake.
Bacon further tells us that the fable
sets forth three sound and weighty pre-
cepts to guide the deliberations in deter
mining what kind OF a war should be
chosen, and says:
The first is not to take any great
trouble for the subjugation Of the
neighboring nations. In
private property the vicinity Of es-
tates to each other is of impor-
lance. but in extending an en-
pire. occasion and facility OF carry
ing the war through. and value Of
conquest should be regarded in
stead Of vicinity"
According 10 this rule we are all right
in capturing the distant Philippines.
The occasion" was there. and the ia
cility" with which Dewey seized it should
satisfy the most fastidious and captious
war critic. The value OF conquest seems
also up to the limit It will yield sls.O0o.-
000 per annum to help carry on the war.
and ought, if properly handled, to pay the
entire national debt.
And thereupon Perseus. though
he belonged 20 the East. did not
decline a distant expedition to the
uttermost parts of the West"
Eminenty correct. Mr.. Bacoui Thet's
the kind Of Persues your Uncle Samuel
Is. 70 a snat's heel. We are not declining
anything this war. but if somebody does .
not give your Spanish Nfedusa a private /
tip We are likely 10 take everything in I
sight The American Pecseus is bald I
headed. and has claws, and when he
screams il is a sign Of trouble IN the
earth.
The second is that there be
Just and honorable cause for the
war. for this begets alacrity as well
in the soldiers themselves, IS
in the people. from whom the sup
plies come"
Just cause for war; "Alac-itvr'
Why. those are cur strong points Is
there anything in history more secure
chan the position OF the United states IN
these respects? An insufTerabIe nuisance +
In our back yard Ia the shape Of liberty
loving people suffering under infamous
atrocities that would bring a blush % +
shame 10 the cheek OF the "Unspeakable
Turk" himself. a noble vessel. lying AZ
peace and freighted with brave boys in
blue, sent 70 the bottom Of the ocean by
The cowardly hand Of an assassin, Did +.
the world observe the voting by congress
OF that 81. 600 0102 No one can say there
was = lack OF alacrlty there Our sailors
threaten to mutiny unless the scuadrous
move, and our soldiers have 10 be Tied
10 keep them from jumping into the gu.f
and swimming 70 Cuba
Also {; opens the way for al
liances and concilIstes friends"
This IS a dead easy auegory and pro
phecy combined. Isn't the way opening
for an alliance with Eue.ande TAX
about friends. Aren't England and the
United States = regular Damon and Ply
thias?
Now" continues the author.
There is no cause for war more
pious than the overthrow OF tyr
amy under which the people lies
PROSTATE without spirit or vigour.
as II turned TO stone ey the head OF
Medusa."
pious war is IT? Their your Uncle