Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1898-09-09
ESSEX County Atrala.
ISLAND PoND. SEPTEMBER ..


tional prestige. 1t had untold
resources, immense means and
ingenious devices for develop
ment. In arts, science and wealth
itruled the world, simply through
its. moral forces. Yet it had mar
vellous physical forces unknown
to the world, and of which IT
was itselfunconscious as strong
man is of his own strength. 1t
was right in those conditions in
which a nation develops the fast
est. immensely was i'll every
thing the country did, and in
every department. Immense
war ships were built, looking not
so much to their use in war as
to the moralinhuencc they would
exert. The country was enjoy
ING the motto: at is magniti-
cent to have n giants strength
but villainous to use it except i'll
the pursuits of peace"
But in accordance with the
rule that when men or nations
have acquired a certain speed or
velocity in prosperity they fly off
i'll tangents, so all at once the
islands in the sea attracted the
wild ewes of many. Rusty poll
ticianS on whom and on whose
positions a critical public was
looking saw an opportunity to
divert attention from them. Mer-
chants saw swift changing cur
rents of trade bringing them
wealth, and many other classes
moved by gain, adventure and a
variety of ambitions saw or
thought they saw opportunities
and joined in the hue and cry for
war. The pretence was that a
certain people were oppressed,
and the interests of humanity de-
manded interference. But no dis
tinct casus beM was in sight and
the historian of these times will
have difficulty in stating what it
was. But all kinds of demonstra-
tions were made, causes assigned
and excitements engendered until
a conservative president was
driven off his feet, congressman
went to cutting each other like
DULLES and general warlike inn
pulse ran unconsciously through
people; and at length with no
more design or organization than
characterized the war sentiment
itself, inexperienced troops under
incompetent leaders were massed
in unhealthy places, or sent into
tropical countries and conditions
with most reckless disregard OF
precautions against diseases in.
Cident to them. 1t seemed to be
an impulse, a craze, without de-
sign or purpose; one of those up
heavals which come at certain
times as a sort of spontaneous
combustion.
The islands, which were as
everybody knew them to be an
inferior and contemplate foe
were easily conquered. But
what conditions have followed
A part of the victors were feast.
ing on ice cream and the richest
dclicacies of life and shouting vic
tory; while the larger portion
are dying of starvation, want
neglect and incompetcncy. The
noise of the war itself scarcely
exceeded that of the persona
strife for the honors of war, anC
over all was heard the charges
and counter charges of imbecility
and incompetency between ad
ministration and army officers
Such was the condition tha'
men might die right within thu
borders of our own land and ne
one know of it. Men, bravest O
the brave, are constantly drop
ping i'll unknown places on tt
the land and into the seas. Mis-
cry. disease, suffering and deatl
mark every step the victims hav'
taken or are taking. To the hor
rible spectacle and expressions O
suffering and indignation al
over the land is added impreca
tions and bitter sarcastic denun
Citations among the managers TO
this horrible condition of things
This is nebulous surrounding