The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-07-05
American "Issprit du Corps


The spirit of the men who are fighting
the battles of the United States is above
praise Il is an inspiration to do the
greatest deeds, and a vindication of our
free system of government. Fortunate,
and assured of its future, is that country
which can send into battle al short notice
thousands upon thousands OF men OF sucn
cool and yet brilliant courage as has all
ready been displayed by our soldiers and
sailors since the beginning of the war with
Spain.
Beginning with Dewey's magnificent vic
tory in Manila Bay on May /, there has
not been a fight or a sklrmish that has
not illustrated the indomtabe determina-
ton of the American fighters to win, TO
win honorably and to win decisively
There are hundreds of incidents which
might be quoted as showing this and at
the same time the magnanimity with
which the enemy Is regarded. Dewey s
terrific drubbing Of Monujo, his compli-
ment to his defeated antagonist after the
fight his quick aid to the sick and wound
ell of the enemy; SIMPSONS cyclonic de-
struction of the fleet of Admiral Cervera,
and his treatment of his captured antag-
onlst; Hubson's extraordinary action in
sinking the Merrimac in the mouth of
Santiago harbor; the heroic exploit of Ber-
nadou and Bagey, and of Victor Blue
all of these illustrate the spirit Of the
navy, officers and men.
And on the side of the army the hero
ism is equally marked. The valor of our
troops in Cuba has not only stirred the
blood of Americans, but has won warmest
praise from Europeans. England, indeed,
wishes to claim a sort of proprietary in
terest in US, referring to our achievements
with family pride" as the London
Standard expresses it. And really Eng
land is not to be bamed such qualities
as the Americans are showing in the
fighting are well worth having 'in the
family" Don't swear, shootr said Col
Wood to his Rough Riders during the first
fight after the landing. The men obeyed
at least 10 the extent that they shot, and
shot fast and true, driving the enemy out
of position Notwithstanding they suffered
a decimating fire themselves. Don't mind
me, go on with the lighting said gallant
he had fallen with his death wound
Take me to the front on a litter" com
nanded Gen. joe Wheeler, when he
was too i'll to go otherwise. He was car.
ried by four men, and directed the fight
ing of his command.
The grit of the men is not a whit behind
that OF the officers in the fighting at San
presented. no matter if the heat was
overpowering, if rations were scarce, If
the canteens were empty, if feet were
sore and limbs ached; no matter If the
fire from the enemy was by volley or
platoons, If the air was fun of whistlins
and singing shots and bursting
Shells no matter if the dead and wound
ed lay all around, the gallant fellows
obeyed orders implicitly kept their faces
to the foe and their rifles playing a death
medley for the enemy Many of the Amer
leans were volunteers, but they fought like
veterans. Nothing daunted them, moth
ing checked them. officers picked up the
guns of fallen soldiers and continued the
interrupted stream of lead towards the
enemy's lines There was no finching, no
stopping to count the cost a task had
been set, and the Americans were there to
accomplish it or die in the attempt. They
carried their point il could not have
been otherwise. They were irresistible. 1t
is folly for Spain to continue to fight
against such men And there are millions
more just like them where those came
from!