The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-09-10
PATRIOTIC HONOLULU
HOW OUR SOLDIERS RECEIVED
THE GLAD HAND
However, Rotten Beef Is Not Sweet
ened by Patriotism Nor Is Hard
Tack Softened

Plez James, bookkeeper at the Whittier
state school, has received letter from his
son, Warren Horr James, begun on July
2sth on board the steamship Ohio, en- route
for Manila, and finished and posted on ar
rival at that place, Aug. 9Th. Young James
was a well-known and popular young man
in this city before his enlistment at the
breaking out Of the war, and a few ex-
tracts from his letter will be interesting to
his large circle of friends.
He enlisted in Battery G, Third artillery,
and on the trip out served as commissary
clerk and stenographer on board the Ohio.
He writes:
although have no idea when I shall
! find an opportunity to mail this letter or
| whether shall ever find one, will write
and trust to Providence. l have told you
about our voyage as far as Honolulu and of
| our reception there, and now I will give
you an account Of the rest Of our voyage
up to date, until have an opportunity to
mail 1t. God knows when that will be, for
we may be captured or sunk before We ever
sight land. The chances are about even,
however, and We are all in good spirits and
full, of confidence Qf nothing else), and look
on the bright side of everything as it comes.
| The weather was beautiful as we grad
ually steamed out of sight Of the islands
AS we sailed out Of the harbor the masses
of people cheered wildly for the Stars and
STRIPES and the boys In blue, and our hearts
were swelled with pride and patriotism
and, above all, gratitude for the hospitality
/ that had been shown US by the people OF
Honolulu.
| They were equally as enthusiastic and
generous as our own people. and every true
American should bear a kindly feeling in
his heart for the people of that beautiful
city. Any country whose people love an
other country's flag and government as well
as their own should become part of 1t.
This the people of Hawaii have thoroughly
demonstrated and proved by their kind
and loyal treatment of our boys In blue.
But there Is where our picnic ceased. Up
to the time we left Honolulu our lives had
been one continual round Of pleasure. After
we were out couple of days we began to
realize that henceforth hardships>-real
hardships-were about to present them
selves. And we have seen few, but
surmise that they. too. are hardly fore
taste of what Is to come.
Zone has to be prepared for showers in
| this country. The sky might be clear as
crystal and the ocean perfectly smooth
and in five minutes It will be raining tor
rents, the wind blowing q hurricane and
mountains of water breaking over the
deck. We have had so far, though, sue
cessful voyage; not much sickness and gen.
orally fair weather. Two firemen were lost
between Honolulu and Manila. There have
been only SIX deaths among the entire fleet.
II have been In perfect health. The duties
| OF commissary clerk and sterographer
keep me just busy enough to forget my
| TROUBLES" and then fare little better
TOO, as regards compensation for my work.
| But don't imagine have a picnic Some
might imagine that ones love OF country
and flag will render the true soldier proof
against hardships, but let me tell you right
| now that bareback isn't softened by senti-
ment nor rotten beef sweetened in the
mouth Of the patriot. Hard and dirty beds.
crowded quarters and poisoned air, bad
and bitter water, full Of dirt and cinders
(what there Is of ~, aching backs and
| bones, vermn and filth are not accepted by
anyone with throbs Of pleasure and salts
faction. Still, we bear 1t all without kick.
ing and with smile that is 'child-like and
bland We are fighting for our country
and know we will be compensated by either
death or glory, which, like everything else
leads but to the grave There is at least
some consolation In knowing that you're
risking life and happiness and all for your
country and the cause of humanity and
| right"