The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1898-08-19


ment Of menland means, in all essen.
tials d "focniau worthy Of Ourstcel."
Yesyas a self-rcspecting, honorable
people ourselves; as men who are ever
eager to defend and even die in de-
Tense of the dear land Of our birth, 1t
would be to our lasting shame did we
not grant the same patriotic love OF
home to the people, the army and the
navy OF Spain. But now that the
smoke Of battle Is rolling away; now
that the booming Of those d~eath-deal-
ing guns which so lately sent their
shrieking messengers Of destruction
are growing fainter In the past
and the star Of peace grows brighter,
what'd0es the future hold In store for
US as a nation? Having advanced
thus far upon the march Of conquest
and seizure, we cannot, without the
loss of prcstage in the eyes OF the
world and that of self respect to Our-
selves return to the Rip Van Wrinkle
sleep of indifference wherein we in
dulged "bcfope the war; in the many
diplomatic intrigues Of Europe. liav.
ing, through this wal with Spain and
the seizure of her possessions, taken
the step inevitable, from this time
forward our duty lies plainly before
us--and that Is If we would continue
to deserve the respect Of the world,
(which in this case is but another
name for fear) won us by this war, we
must place ourselves In the vanguard
OF the nations and, in doing so, be
ever prepared to defend the position
we have assumed.
Will it be our future destiny to en-
ulate the nations OF the sold World"
and seek for other and newer fields OF
conquest? God forbid that such
should be the outcome Of this war!
Such a policy on our part would be
| the most UNIV Use step we could take,
because from a peace-loving nation,
as has cver been our boast, we would
develop into one OF many antag0nisms
| which would-keep us constantly en-
| br0lled with n or more OF those
! countries whose policies we have ever
| condemned ,aS unjust and autocratic.
The eyes OF Europe are jealousy
conferred upOAus To. day, their tongues
have already uttered more than one
menace.-let it be our duty as well as
pride. mot through fear but wisdom
to see that their swords do not leave
the scabbards against us as enemies.
We have proven to the world that
we-are a nation Of MEN willing to do
and dare ia the defense OF the father
land; the short war that Is nov pass
ing away to become part OF the histo'
~ OF the past. and the deeds OF dar
ing therein performed, have written
the undying story OF Americas great
ness so plainly upon the walls OF Time
"that those who run may read;" hence
II bchOoves us to keep al00f from al
the future entanglements the like o.
which made, in the past, the different
countries Of Europe the theatres o.
so many bloody and devastating wars
II we are wise our policy will be de
fensive rather than offensive, and
should 1t be our misfortune to become
~entangled with some foreign power Ia
a future war, we will enter that wa
with the satisfaction Of knowing thai
the c0nSequeaceS-he what they ma!
must rest upon the head OF thu
nation that has caused ''the alarm
drum" to be heard within our borders
and the flag we dOubly love to-day Il
be unfurled 10 the breeze IN defiance
Of the menace.
Thousands Of our bravest and bcs
answered spontaneously to the cal
made upon their patriotism by tn
chief executive Of the country whci
tie dark clouds Of val first began L
lower overhead, and, were We In tn
future TO find 1t necessary to bar tin
way to an enemy's invasion OF Ou
homes and hcarths, those few th0us
ands OF to-day would, in such al
| event, be augmented into a host q
many millions. We know our 0wI
, strength both in men and resources
, the world Is equally as wise upon tn
subject as ourselves, and IT would b
|, , to the sorrow Of any oi It's nation
: we're they to put 1t to the test. -.
, 1t Is we'll that such should he tn
: : case, for that knowledge on the par
: Vt Europe may be the means OF SAY
: Ing us much trouble and annoyance
to say. uoehiae tef1 meH and .wcnlt
!. which wouidate expended In such
: conflict.
! AS we, theApeople at large, unde
/, stand the question, the war VIII
, !, Spain was not, brought about throug
) any craving on our part to wrest fr0I
J = her any OF her possessions either hel
= y at our doors or any OF those neart
! her home country so that we migl
! enrich ourselves by their acquisition
But 1.-THE powers that be" at Wasl
!. ingt0n have decrecd otherwise, an!
!; as loyal citizens, we must follow
= their wake 80 far rs open opinion zoe
= But there are many OF us unwlse Ont
= who assert that this present war
J not the offspring OF to-day, or has 4
Its sole purpose the freedom OF Cut
! and the rescuing Of her land from I'll
Z hands Of her merciless and cruel I
rant: we arefather inclined to thin
y that this war 10 the fateful cons
Y Quence Ufmany causes, some Of WhiC
= are: lat. The many insults, serlo,
and petty, from which we were mat
10 suffer In the years that have g0n'
. End. The unnecessary brutality show
In the c0wasdly execution OF tue ii
! fortunate captain; crew aud pane
: : gers Of tho iii.sated little steamer vi
glnius In November 7 ind ., 1873; IN
\ Srd, Coming dOwa 70 our own tin
the more thpAs cOward1y-tho otaoO!
!, cal-lmpul6e which promptod y
y coward or towards ~ r!eoe ~ a.