The Somerset reporter., 1898-05-19
Here ane There. No. 8.

Quite recently we learned that Spain
had decided that her subjects must
have the news favorable aud unfavora-
BILE alike, hoping that her young people
might be benefited thereby. This late
declaration might well be regarded as
an amusing absurdity, we're it not in its
disclosure of an intolerable, benighted
condition, so cruel. There is indeed
small doubt but 1.-The news" will be of a
disciplinary character, though it will
not avail one whit to a deluded, suffer
ing and Infatuated people
Peaceful days and calm years offered
grand opportunities for nations up
building in all that goes to make great
ness and enduring strength, but Spain
was criminally unmindful of the true
welfare of her subjects. Refusing the
| field glass of the wise, observant gener-
al, spanish royalty has persisted in
complaoently gazing upon peaceful,
noble parks as revealed from palace
windows. She has smilingy, gracious
! ly acknowledged the nearby acclama-
tions and meaningless plaudits, but
either unheeded the deep awful under
tone of misery and revolt, or regarded
only to Cypress and grievously punish.
~ buO dNCi axe pdoolOnobC
can who gladly folio wed in thought the
food laden ships Fastening to starving
Cuba, there is one picture that it is we'll
nigh exasperating to contemplate The
Queen Regent of Spain with the usual
effective simplicity, descending the
grand staircase, arrayed in queenly fash
ion and entering upon the time honored
custom of bathing the feet of the poor
beggars appropriately gotten up for the
occasion. All, the pity of it, that this
sacred observance should have become
mere travesty.
AS nation we are in a peculiar sense
reading people, and in fine way, un,
guessed by other nations, we are loyal
to the noble, righteous rule of the land
of freedom. just how far nation in
tluences the individual, and how much
the individual helps the nation is not
needed in order to clearly appreciate as
members of the whole our opportunity
and responsibilities. Full well we know
that free and happy people, having
part in the nations deliberations, count
it privilege to suffer and die if need
be in that nations defense.
That we have no so-called common
class" is because of the very spirit of
our constitution, but may it not have
been possible to keep to the idea with
which we started, largely through the
unlimited sway of the printed page and
the unwritten but still plain law, that
our people should know what was going
on througbo out the wide world. Even
when the toiler for bread has laid aside
with sigh his books, he still knows
what is going on in peace or war, and
he reasons and pondeIs intelligeutly on
the same subject that is, perchance,
weighing heavily upon the nations
leaders.
Universities and libraries are found
mainly in the cities, and with even the
present low price of books, they are still
far beyond the reach of many, but to
these people, dwellers in country homes,
the newspaper comes welcome guest
with treasures from afar. Readers of
books sometimes pride themselves on
not wasting their precious time on
newspapers. One wonders just when it
would be safe tn leave out the news,
papers, for surely one would be forced to
look over the news to ascertain if the
good world was going at such SLOW
pace, that one could even for a brief
time afford to sleep. If doubtful in
time of peace what shall we conclude in
the days which are black with war
clouds.
How war tests and tries a nations re-
sources and how gloriously has our be-
loved country withstood each peril
There has been a fresh demonstration
of hearty, wholesome, earnest patriotism
in all ages and under varying circum-
stances. 1t would not be strange if the
American citizen should at times be
given to little reasonable clarifying of
his own country. How safely we dwell
and how secure is our future defense
when it is founded in the intelligent
loyalty Of our youth. The lad who
cheers so uproariously, cap jim hand, is
not at all ignorant or careless of the
question of the hour. Much as his
elders pride themselves on their knowl-
edge of each act in the present war;
very likely the youngsters shrewd com
ment would cause a ripple of amuse
ment and astonishment likewise. BY
and by the boy will sit in our nations
councils, and, please God, it shall be UNI
der calm skies where peace reigns.
EMMA M. SMITH.