Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1898-10-29

Of the rs steamship lines leaving New
York for all ports OF the world. II Is
said some of our large shipping inter-
ests have combined with foreign ship
ping companies to resist any legisla-
ton that will improve American ship
ping and build up merchant marine.
War With Spain.
IN entering upon the war with Spain
the country had less than $4,000 sol
diers, scattered over the continent 1t
became necessary to raise, equip and
men. This was done In an Incredibly
short time. The responsibilities were
great and the difficulties almost insur--
mountable, yet they were met and
overcome by Republican administra-
ton in q way that not only surprised
but compelled the admiration of the
world. Never was war more energet-
ically and successfully prosecuted.
History will be searched In vain for
a parallel to what was accomplished
on sea and land in so short time
and under the greatest difficulties. Not
only did our navy by force Of its fight
ing power and its brilliant achieve
ments astonish the world in two great
gagements, both surprising the vic
tory of Lord Nelson at Trafalgar, but
our success on land was phenomenal.
In two battles $4,000 Spanish soldiers
surrendered to American forces in
ferior in numbers to the prisoners
taken; and On the sea two great fleets
were entirely destroyed. During the
whole war only about $50 of our SOL
diers were killed, and $50 died Of dis
ease out of an army of 100000 men.
A Marvellous Feat.
We conquered the enemy on both
sea and land and have dictated the
terms to peace to suit ourselves. Not
only did we conquer the enemy, but
we have conquered the respect and adj
miration of the world. In assembling
and eQuipping an army OF 260, 900 men
and sending them to meet an enemy
and fight battles on foreign soil, there
may have been mistakes. but after
making allowance for all mistakes
that are claimed, the fact still remains
and will always stand out boldly In
history that from the beginning to the
end II was the most brilliant and sue
cessful var In history. The splendid
results end achievements on sea and
land and the triumphs of soldiers and
sailors are too great to be obscured by
charges of Encouragement and neg
lect. The conduct of the war had no
partisan bias whatever; soldiers were
enlisted and officers appointed without
Of their political beliefs. The war
was fought by Americans: Democrats
and Republicans stood shoulder to
shoulder IN defense of the flag, hand
in hand they gathered glory for our
common country. The deeds and brav-
cry of our soldiers and sailors have
become the common property OF the
nation, and the people are Justly proud
OF their valOr and heroism. Charges
Of misnanagement and neglect not
only casts discredit upon the country,
but cloud over our wonderful sue.
cess. But the testimony OF grand old
Joe Wheeler, Fitzhugh Lee and others,
nov being taken before the commits
sion appointed by the president, is fast
settling the charges of mismanage-
ment and neglect, showing that in
most cases they were without founda-
tion and In others greatly exagger-
ated. But II there were mistakes, this
does not cirque nor does it follow that
the Republican party should be turned
out OF power and the Democratic party
put In. Complaints of Encouragement
and mistakes furnish no good reason
why the country should abandon
sound money and adopt the free COIN
age Of silver. give up protection for
free trade, prosperity for depression,
and go back to the carnival of business
ruin that followed the Wilson bill. The
wise thing to do is to correct the mis-
takes, IL any were made, but hold on
to all the good things Republican
administration has brought US and
continue 1t In power.
Results OF the War With Spain.
Lasting little over 100 days, mo-
mentous results have followed the war.
We are more than ever one peoplej
the bitterness. passion and prejudice,
fruits OF our civil war, have passed
FOR party purposes both north and
south, has passed away In the hot
fame OF war. Sectionalism Is dead,
and the dark clouds Of discomfort that
followed IL so long are In the deep
bosom Of the ocean buried. We have
south, no north, only ono flag, one
country. one interest and one destiny.
The soldiers Of the south are the col
diers OF the whole countryl the Union
claims them as It's own, and crowns
them with honors for glorious deeds
loved at home and more respected
abroad; hencefortb 1t will stand for
something In all the seas and all the
ports of the world. The sun never sets
on our possessions, nor ceases to shine
on the flag floating In the breezes of
the orient before saluting 1t In tho
occident-
Our New Obligations.
The war hrs changed for all time
the map OF the world. 1t has lifted
our country out OF the isolation and
eeclusion OF century and made 1t an
important factor In the worlds az
fairs. It has Quickened the pace OF
western civilization 100 years In its
onward and conquering march 20 the
orient Islands In far.of seas have
5uncts IA extending our commegce.
giving us home markets and building
up our merchant marine ! have no
fear that the acquisition Of these. isl
ands will endanger the stability OF rer
publican institutions. 1t may be far
more difficult to give them back to
bad government, strife and ignorance
than to hold them. The war has placed
upon the nation new obligations and
not attempt to avoid. We must be
Just and fair TO the people of these
Islands; they are not responsible for
their present condition. It belongs
10 the Angio-6axon to rule and gov
ern- believe our constitution and
laws are suited TO the government of
all peoples. ! have full confidence in
the ability OF the American people TO
meet all emergencies and overcome
all difficulties that may arise In gov
ernfng distant islands, whether civil
, lied or hrbarous. Surely It Will be
better for the people OF these islands
to come under the protection and fos-
terfng care OF our government and the
beneficial influences Of American CIV
ilikation. The war was waged to re-
lieve oppressed humanity at our own
doors; yet Dewey's guns bad hardly
finished the.destructton Of the Spanish
feet at Manila and the stars and
stripes were raised over Cavite when
suddenly, silently, without notice and
even without the thought OF man,
gates to the orient forever closed be.
fore opened vide, welcoming Christian
endeavor In It's mission to carry light
end'truth to the uttermost parts Of the
earth. Since that moment the Chris
Ian world stands guard over the Phil
tppfneS, thankful for new opporfuni-
ties, pleading for good government and
protesting against their return to
'ignoranke and barbarism. The power
that opened these gates Is the power
that makes for Righteousness and not
OF ourselves. Can II be resisted
Ny hand and my voice will never be
raised to oppose its high commands.
Hold the Philippines.
Walking the deck OF the baltimore"
In Manila bay that wonderful man,
Admiral Dewey, gazing at the Ameri-
can flag that be has done so much to
immortalize, floating over Fort San
tiago within the walled city, said to q
friend: II hope It floats there forever
from these people with the loss of only
a few men II r vyarn rcffUfofsa n, a :,