Mexico weekly ledger., 1898-07-07

has no parallel In the entire annals of
the human race and which has raised
us immensely in the eyes of the civil
lied world. 1t is a necessary war, one
which has been brewing for twenty
five years. The whole truth-and ii
might as well be told-is that had the
not murdered 266 of our
sailors when they we're sleeping peace
fully in their hammocks, blessed with
sweet dreams of home, of their
wives and children, of mothers, faith
ers, sisters and brothers, there never
would have been any war. That bru-
tai crime 80 outraged and incensed
the American people that nothing but
Spanish blood would satisfy them. In
declaring war, . Congress simply
obeyed the commands of the people,
and Congress did right. 1t is my SOL
emn conviction that a government
which will not protect all it's citizens,
wherever they may be by land or sea-
its soldiers and sailors-has
no eason for being and should go out
of business. Already a glorious chap
ter has been added to our history
never to fade 20 long as the world
shall stand. In two hours Commo-
dore George Dewey wrote his name
along with Paul Jones, Horace Nelson
and Admiral Farragut-the most
puissant spirit that ever rode the
watery main. Lieutenant Hobson in
Santiago Bay was as much a hero as
Leonidas at Thermopyle, Washington
at Yorktown, John Sewer at Kings
Andrew jackson at New
Orleans, Davy Crockett at the Alamo
or Sam Houston at San Jacinto.
Somebody has raised the question
as to Dewey's politics. What matters
it? I don't care whether he is a Re-
Democrat or Populist. He
is, thank God, an American and a
hero worthy of the love and rever-
cree of all his countrymen-secure in
the admiration of the civilized world.
Judging by his geographical habitat,
Hobson Is a Democrat; but If he
were the most radical Republican In
the land, he would deserve the graf
itude and plaudits of the entire ma
ton. Let it be understood once for
all, everybody, everywhere that while
we fight each other or political ques-
tions Is bitterly as we please, our
political squabbles cease at the oceans
edge. Beyond that we are all Amer
leans and Americans only.
Nor are all the honors due the GEN.
erals, Colonies, Captains, Admirals
and Commodoers. Without the pri-
Yates they could accomplish nothing.
Anyman who fights for his country is
a hero.
From this city a company went
.forth-ready to do or die. One Of
them, Richard Mason, has already
died for his country and his lag-not
in the red glore of battle, cheered by
the victorious shouts of his brothers
in arms, but by the slow process Of
disease in an army hospital. His
memory should be cherished forever
for he gave his all to the service Of
the Republic.
I rejoice to think of the heroism Of
Gen. Joe Wheeler, of Alabama, one o.
my Congressional companions, who
rivaling the splendid feat of Charles
the XII, of Sweden, at Pultowa, an6
being unable to ride his horse, hai
himself carried into battle on a littel
at Santiago.
The war has already given rise to
large mart of literature-good, bat
and Indifferent from which there
will finally be culled a valuable vol
ume of poetry and prose.
recently found the following poem
which puts into words the feeling nov
dominating every American heart:
Hats off!
Along the street there comes
A blare of bugles, a ruf1e of drums
A fash of color beneath the sky.
Hats Off!
The flag Is passing by
Blue and crimson and white it shines
Over the steel tipped ordered lines
HATS off!
The colors before us fly;
But more than the flag is passing by
Sea fights and land fights, grim ant
great,
Fought to make and save the state
Weary marches, and sinking ships
Cheers of victory on dying lips.
Days of plenty and days of peace;
March of a strong lands swift in
crease;
Equal justice, right and law,
Stately honor and reverend awe.
Sign of a nation, great and strong,
To ward her people from foreigl
wrong;
Pride and glory and honor, all
Live in the colors to stand or fall.
Hats of!
Alone the street there comes
A blare of bugles, a ruffie of drums
And loyal hearts are beating high
Hats off!
The flag is passing by.
In the evening the crowd gathere
down town to listen to a concert b
the band, and to watch the pyrotech
nical display. Sufficient powder t
have destroyed the Spanish feet wa
burned. The fireworks lasted tw
hours, and were unusually fine. The
the people went slowly home, and tn
biggest Fourth of July Mexico hs
ever known was at an end.
The New County Plat Book.
The new Audrain county plat boo
is being delivered to subscribers. Tn
plaits were drawn from actual survey
and county records by the Northwet
Publishing Company, and it is a yer
valuable publication. The work is
a high character and is of especi'
value to all men of business.