The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-16
A PICNIC THAT DID NOT COME OFF.

Probably there are very few persons liv-
ing who have not experienced the disap-
pointment incident to marred or prevented
pleasure. Debating societies have some
times discussed the question whether there
is more enjoyment in the anticipation or the
realization of happiness, but nobody doubts
that the pleasures of which one is unex-
pectedly deprived are greater than those he
is permitted to enjoy. It is always the big
fish that get away. From childhood to man
hood the picnic that has to be indefinitely
postponedNon account of the weather, or the
more mature pleasure that some cruel fate
puts beyond the reach of realization is the
dearest pleasure of all.
The Spaniards in Manila can point to
new illustration of this experience in the
complete smashing of the arrangements
they had made for celebrating the whip
ping of the American pigs" under Admiral
Dewey. The beautiful buoyancy Of the
Spanish nature and their correct informa-
ton as to the cowardice of the Americans
left no doubt in their minds as to the re-
suit of the conflict, they prepared to
celebrate it as a great Spanish victory
ought to be celebrated. Not only was Span
ish prowess to be exalted, but Yankee pre-
sumption was to be punished and it's repre-
sentatives Inundated. An Indiana boy who
was on the Olympia during the battle and
who evidently contributed his share towards
the victory writes home as follows:
We have since learned that great prepara-
lions had been made by the combined Span
fCh LON aN16 oil f<l,.
onstration to celebrate the victory which
was to be achieved over the American fleet.
The celebration was to have occurred i'm
mediately after the battle An extensive
and elaborate programme had been ar
ranged, with bull fight as the special
feature. Manila papers had published sup
Elemental cartoons with an American en-
sign fringed in black lace, with the red yell
low, red floating triumphantly over it. In
fh sions ~ t6s Teae man many eng M
arrangement was for the Spanish ships,
with flags flying, to parade the harbor in
single file, and on passing the forts they
We're to receive a salute, which was to be
returned gun for gun by the different ships.
Another letter says the Spaniards were so
sure of whipping the Americans that they
had prepared a prison for them. They
were so sure we should be captured" says
the writer, that they fixed prison for our
accommodation. 1t is the place where they
put the insurgents, and overflows with the
spring tides" Probably this was the in
famous black hole" of Manila, where so
many insurgents were smothered last
year. If anything could have added to
Spanish enjoyment of bull fight in honor
of the anticipated victory it would have
been the knowledge that several hundred
American prisoners were being smothered
In a dungeon and dying like poisoned rats.
That would have been a picnic indeed. But
fate, In the form of Admiral Dewey and
the brave officers and men under him, de-
creed that it should not come off. In de-
stroying the Spanish fleet he also destroyed
whole armada of Spanish anticipations
concerning the celebration which was to
| commemorate the destruction of his ships
and the capture of himself and his men.