The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-04-26
THE CONFLICT IS ON.


From the moment the treacherous
Standards blew up the Maine ana muir
dored American sailors, il has been in
cvitalle.
This country has not desired war and
has sought in every possible way TO AVOID
If hut the conditions have all prevented
n peaceful settlement. There has been
no rash or unconsidcred step taken by
our government. 1t has rather seemed TO
many TO be too deliberate. In the hour
Of conflict it is pleasant To think that
no p%rccipitate action has brought on the
struggle.
The presence Of our war vessels at
Havana effects n blockade that IS per-
means war, and a battle may be eN-
pected at any time when SPANS tlotilla
is in the waters of the Gulf. The result
cannot be doubted. but the battle royal
interest. On the sea. while greatly the
supcrior of our foe. the odds are not so
greatly in our favor as an engagement
on the land where our superior numbers
would tell quickly. If our fleet wins a
decisive victory. it will probably end the
struggle. If the victory is not decisive.
the struggle may be wagcd by the SLOW
methods employed by the insurgents IN
Cuba. This is hardly probable. for
Spain is too far from its base of sup
plies to conduct 4 long war.
Our government is proceeding with
every dispatch to be ready to inflict Il
telling blow at the first encounter. Wise
~ the plans are kept secret. The large
cities are amply protected by submarine
mines. torpcdocs and other approved
methods of protection against danger
from Spanish invasion. The New York
Herald has recently shown that the in
habitants of the metropolis are in no
danger. The farthcst distance Il de
structivc missile can be thrown is said
to be seven miles. whereas New York
is twelve miles from the ocean as the
CROW HES. i Htit IL l't b'it'luoiN Iio
lection at Beaufort and other smaller
cities. and the authorities ought to lose
no time in aftording perfect protection
there and clscwhcrc. The folly Of aban-
doning Fort Macon is now apparent.
Though abandoned for years. it is com
paratively Il small undertaking to put II
in perfect order. ready to. defend Beau.
fort and Morehcad.
Before a shot has been fred, the mar
who knows how everything should be
! done is conspicuous. He can tell how
athis attack should be commenced, Where
! that landing should be effected, wht
should direct the operations by sea ant
by land, and he will soon be ready t.
point out the mistakes and blunders o
experienced soldiers and officers of tn
navy. This man will hardly go to tn
front. He will stay at home and crit
cize those who put their lives in leopard,
to defend the country's flag. At tn
very threshold Of what we believe will b.
Il short struggle. we have this advice t.
Mr.. Know-It-AH: Don't. The men il
command Of the army and navy ar
| among the best trained officers know
to the world. With them war is
science. They were educated ut the eN
rcnse of the government for just sucl
emergencies as the present. They hav
fn,lOht IL thnJS1nI h1t;lnc n manor
They have studied warfare from al
s~tandpoints. and are presumed to know
their business. We believe they can b
trusted to act wisely. They know tn
act with reference to Il carefully con
sidcrcd plan. Mr.. Know-It-All's knowl
edge is necessarily crude and limited
and his plan is based tpon superficial
knowledge and partial information.
The best service the men who RENAL
at home can render is TO nave faith i
the chosen commanders and uphold b
expressions Of confidence the brave me
who expose themselves to disease. Il
we'll as shot and shell. to serve thei
country. They may make mistakes. bu
they are not apt to do so. The Yer
course Mr.. Know-It--All would regard a
Il hlunder will probably turn out to j
the maSter-Strokc of the campaign. /
Il great emergency like the present.
is true of civilians as we'll as of soldier,
"Thcir'> not to reason why but to CT
courage and cheer the men in the rank
with faith in them md i'll he result c
their valOr.