The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-03-23
Moving Toward tie Verdict

GOFlES AoWdiI GI0 V0TOlCt.
Impatience forthe RECEIPT and pub
lication of the formal report of the
Naval Board of Inquiry into the
cause of the destruction of the Maine
is but natural. Il only grows with
the lapse of days. and there is am
! PIE indication that the necessary
delay has not cooled the public pulse,
but has on.y made its beat steadier
and frmer, indicating firm determi.
nation to deal with the facts, when
they are ascertalned, exactly as they
deserve. There is no reason to credit
the silly assertion that that the re-
port of the naval board is purposely
delayed. It's inquiry is of neces-
sity difficult and nothing can be
clearer than that il must be exhaust
tive. No possible source of informa.
ton can be neglected, and the evi.
dence presented must be so conclu-
sive as to justify its verdict, which
will doubtless fatty contradict Span
ish assertion-to the conviction,
not only of the people of the United
States, but of all the civilized ma
tious, among whom Spain is not count.
ed.
The interval, even though it be
impatient, is not wasted in idleness.
1t is cause Of profound grati6ca-
tion to observe the readiness and
the promptness with which the
government, with every part
of it's organization working in
harmony, rises to the emergency
Every executive department is per
forming its duty in absolute accord
and the Congress has forgotten par
tisanship in the call upon patriotism.
There have been few misunder..
standings and there have been mis-
representations. snch, for example.
as that which accused Speaker Reed
of opposing the plans Of the admins
tration But these calumnies have
died with their utterance, 80 swiftly
have events presented their dis
proof.
With the reported purchase of two
fast cruisers from Brazil, the navy in
measure makes up for the loss of
the battleship Maine Spain appears
to have suddenly recognized this fact,
aud has made Official recognition of
our preparations for war, which
are in reality preparations to
enforce peace by making war
hopeless for the adversary. Her new
Minister, senor Poio, has received
demonstration of the straightforward
mesa Of the language of diplomacy
cas- she is spoke by Secretary Day
When he called at the Department. of
State yesterday and with feigned sur
prise inquired if it we're really true
that the Government of the United
States had bough: some warships.
and. # so. wny. he met reply that
in its frankness and its logic must
have confounded his Casti!ian Curl
osity. Yes. he was told, we have
bought war vessels in foreign wa
ters and we have bough. them to
replace battle ship that we lost in
foreign waters This answer is a
s.facer " There is about it no eva
sons, but square assertion of our
proceeding 1t is we'll that the Span.
ish Minister should thus have the ex.
plicit information that this nation is
absolutely in earnest and that there is
nothing of bluff, but the sternest re-
atty, in It's readiness to maintain its
honor and to rescue humanity from
further outrage.
Time flies, but happenings are fast
upon its heels The preseD: situa-
ton, so exasperating to two nations
and so disturbing to other powers.
must move quickly to its solution in
brief war or in lasting peace. The
approach of the alternative is herald
ed by the Spanish Minister'S ques-
tions. No embassy or other legation
at Washington has tsken the trouble
to inquire into our purchase of war
ships. Why should Spain make form
al demand, only to receive emphatic
answer
There are sone extremely interest
ing cablegrams row now puising be-
tween the Spanish Minister and his
superiors in Madrid.-Msil and Ex-
press, March Is.
We bsvc bright, boac:aole rercharts in