The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-02-22
Ghe Wrsselwer.
THE NEWS CONCERNING THE
HAVANA HORROR

TO genuine American citizen can
xsszd the reports from Havana of the
obstruction of the American cruiser
Maine without being profoundly
xxzx,vrd- When he reads of the sud
>sEsn killing Of PSI of the crew, includ-
Enzg two young officers, and the injury
~ perhaps fifty others, and that Of $50
Eesarrfn but ninety-nine were saved he
EnzIs1 feel a shock of sorrow that is
s7zzs calamity, and the cause of it may
NEVER be known. The probability is
ehfEt IL was an accident somehow, and
abk= possibility is that it was the work
<% Spanish enemies. 1t is almost GER
tain that there will be hundreds of
afeEe that the great calamity was the
work of human devils of the Spanish
rare Tine whole story as given in the
elaborate reports in yesterdays Mes
ssryAger is very touching n absorbing.
Cod pity the wounded and save the
<9y7ng, and have mercy upon all the
victims Of this tremendous disaster!
n II "N iI~f ~" &c
Eaaved well under the circumstances.
The Spanish cabinet at Madrid acted
promptly as civilized men should have
done Nothing appears to be lacking
I'm courtesy and sympathy. The au-
Gs1Or71ies profess to know nothing of
Thna causes of the calamity, and per
maps do not. But there are men in
e. - - 49,
EzsIs hi take ~Vengeance'on their own hook
feeling safe if their bloody deed were
revealed TO the world.
Members of the congress hold views
discriminating the S~paniards if not the
government. A report seemingly au-
tfefla5cated is that the commander of
EEae Inflated Maine, Captain Sigsbee,
asesieves his vessel was destroyed by
n flnaIing torpedo sent from the shore.
Fhe vessel was Icing but 200 yards
FROM the floating dJsk. But all specu-
Eaffon at this stageySf the matter is
nroSifIess. Only a close inspection of
the ship can throw light upon the
a-a1sse OF the explosion, and it is prob
a&de that the guilty ones, if there be
sssrh. viii never be discovered. If it
Gzytlld in any way De made certain that
ghe great ship and it's 251 immCrtals
gxsre the victims of the Spaniards moth
Fuey short of war and the capture of
Hayana would satisfy the American
people
LGSnt that was excellent stationary
aa yice given by Consul General Lee:
Il hope our people will repress excite
xnent and calmly await decision" The
london Daily News is sensible in say
fng that Americans should not suspect
FOUL play only on absolute compul-
sEo1-" Let us all await in perfect pa
Gfence the revelations OF inspection and
consultation.
The behavior of the survivors is
sublime. The plucky sailors who are
SO mutilated and suffering bear i'm
ur7nuring their terrible ordeal and
show grit to the very bottom. Captain
Eagsbee bore himself admirably, and
was the last to leave the sinking ship.
Tbs other officers showed manhood and
g1Umanity under the very severe trlal.
- war were to come there would be
uTenty Of fighters in this land. once
-sxrys1se the war spirit and if the govern
v-yenf should call for a million Volun-
GERS they would he found very
xtsznptly responding. This country is
rfaYiy in no condition for war, for Gen
s~al Miles, at the head of the army.
etvs our coast defences are lamentaple,
and rhre is not powder even to carry
~ on. Let us hope for peace, but let
fine American honor and rights De
maintained.
,T4,e brave heroes who Obeyed orders
and went below to flood the gun cotton
q ma prevent an explosion went to their
atonrn. They were true to authority
xsxt never returned.
Among those on the ship as Will ne
sFen Q,y the partial crew list IN yester-
lay,s Messenger, were four North
Cssr1ssinians, Raleigh, Oxford, Eliza
ssefh City n Randolph county beng
represented Whether lost or among
-sss saved does not appear. God grant
anat they remain among the survivors.
rvD.N