Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1898-02-24

! Following are the names OF those
from Muncy Valley seen at Laporte Sun
,iav: +. F. Herman, VIM. Moran. ". G..
TAYLOR, VI. D. Taylor, a. ?. Miller. I j.
! Whitaker and wife, James. Moran, Geo.
! D. Holler. D. Palmatier and J. L. Gala
CHER.
Willis Snyder had a valuable team
of horses killed on Tues lay in the woods
near his job along the Sock, by falling
over ledge of rocks fifty feet in height.
Owing to the impaired condition of
the Editors eyes the News ITEM this week
reaches its reader little late. Watch
for new advertisement that should have
appeared this week, but owing to the
above cause was necessary layed over
another week.
We were all somewhat agitated on
the sorrowlul disaster OF the Maine last
week but it Is pretty rank partisan who
! cannot fee! a pleasure in contemplating
the calm demeanor of the government
under the trying conditions arising from
Il e accident to the Maine. The Presi.
dent, Congress and the large majority
of the army and navy officers who have
had the most experience are advising
against any rash jump at impossible con
cIusiLns aud helping 10 preserve the
| qui ibrium OF public opinion. 1t is not
iair to accuse Spain or any body else OF
wreckng the vessel. There is no more
reason TO suppose that the destruction wa
intentional than to suppose that it was
accidental. This country cannot afford
to assume that Spain is the cause OF the
trouble, and then proceed to hunt evidence
to prove theory. That is TO prejudice all
investigation and TO stand chance OF de-
| ieating the truth. In working up such Il
feeling we are getting away from the facts,
Truth demands that the nature of the
accident be first understood and the cause
aud responsibility worked up from that.
1t is lust as essential that we know the
cause if the ship was blown up from in
ternal sources as if by outward agency.
Theories are plentiful enough, and
what might have been is put in print CO.
piously, but the facts indicate nothing
that would justly lead to the accusation OF
intentional destruction. II after all the
fuss that has been made about Spain III
the affair, the accident is shown to have
been the result OF conditions within the
ship, how can we justify the egotism that
would shit the effects of our own over
sight to the shoulders ola sister nation?
IT is fortunate that wise counsels direct
The affairs Of government, or that mis-
taken impetuous folly which loves to be
called patriotism would lead to compica
lions which might prove humiliating, or
even more costly, to retreat from. The
man who learns what made the trouble
before he gets too noisy about it is just as
much Of patriot rs the fellow who wants
to blow up a town or two before he inves
,igates.
That suspicion is prevalent, it is use
less to deny but until the wreck of the
noble ship yields up from beneath the
water the secret Of her destruction or con
elusive evidence from some other quarter
leaves no reasonable ground for doubt,
public judgment will remain III suspence,
holding the Spanish government aud
Spain's agents meanwhile guiltless. II
it is found that Maine was the victim OF
treachery then let the American Eagel
scream for vengence.