The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1898-12-14

A VERY MILD DOCUMENT.
1t is More Remarkable for What
Il Does Not Contain Than
Cor lSLo+ - NoeS
Fer What it Does.

message. "Iisctl "tls Suo!GAe'S~ !"
gress on Tuesday oe last week, contain
ed something like twenty thousand
words. The message may be summed
up as follows:
1t is history rf the war; 1t is fer
vent expression cf thanks to Divine
power FOR the SGccess OF American
arms: it is an expression Of a nation s
appreciation for the Neroism and patrl-
otism displayed IN battle; it urges an
increase Of the regular army to 100. .OOo
men: it reviews our relations with the
nations Of the world; It reltera:es Re-
publican policy as TO lie hnaneia! ques-
ton; it does not discuss the Philippine
problem: it.does not discuss legislation
for the new Possessions; it does not dis
cuss the race troubles; it does not dis
cuss the tariff.
Following is a brief synopsis, lncIud-
ing some direct excerpts CT the more
important features OF the message:
Notwithstanding the added burdens
rendered necessary by the war, our peo,,
pie rejoice IN very satisfactory and
steadily increasing degree Of prosperity
evidenced by the largest volume OF BUS
mess ever recorded. Manufacture has
been productive, agricultural pursuits
have yielded abundant returns, labor IN
all fields of industry is better reward
ed, etc.
CONTROVERSY WHICH LED TO THE WAR,
In reviewing the controversy which
led up to the war with Spain, the presl-
dent takes up the thread Of narrative
where terminated IN his last annual
message. He concluded: 1t was hon
estly due to our friendly relations with
Spain that she should be given rea'
sonable chance to realize her expeeta-
tions of reform to which she had be-
come irrevocably committed" 1t be-
came evident, however, that the pro-
posed plans were barren Of good re-
suits. No tangible relief was afforded
the reconcentrados, among whom the
rate of mortality frightfully increased;
the profered ezpedient Of zones Of cul-
tivation proved illusory, and 1t was ap..
parent that nothing save the physical
exhaustion Of Spain or the Cubans and
the practical ruin Of the island OF Cuba
could result from the struggle then IN
progress.
Al this critical juncture the destruc-
ton of the battleship Maine occurred.
Concerning it the president says:
st is astriking evidence Of the polse
and sturdy good sense distinguishing
our national character that shocking
blow, falling upon generous people,
already deeply touched by preceding
events in Cuba, did not move them to
an instant, desperate resolve to tolerate
no longer the existence of condition
of danger and disorder at our doors that
made possible such deed, by whonso-
ever wrought.
EStill animated, however. By the hope
of a peaceful solution Of the diff
Guilty and obeying the dictates OF
duty, the president relaxed no effort to
bring about e speedy ending Of the Gu
ban struggle. Negotiations with the
Madrid government proved futile, so
far as practical results were concerned,
and then it was the president presented
the question to congress.
The result of this statement Of the
case was the adoption Of the memora-
BILE joint resolution by congress, declar-
ing the purpose of the United States to
intervene between the Spaniards and
Cubans. Following swiftly upon the
enactment of the resolution came the
severance of diplomatic relations be-
tween the two countries, the proclama-
ton of blockade Of Cuban ports, the
call for volunteers and the formal dec
laration Of the existence Of state Of
war. All other governments were i'm
mediately notified Of the existence Of
war and each proclaimed neutfS,ly. 1T
is not among the least gratifying incl
dents of the struggle that the ooliga-
tons Of neutrality were impartially
discharged by all, often under delicate
and difficult circumstances.
Referring to the difficult and i'm
portant character" Of the work perform
ed by the signal corps, the president
says: This service was invaluable to
the executive in directing the operation
of the army and with total force Of
1900 the loss was by disease, in camp
and field. officers and men included,
only five"
[ As to the authorized loan Of 5000,
600, 600 which was taken entirely Is
small bidders, the president says:
This was a most encouraging and
significant result. showing the vast re-
sources Of the nation and the determi,
nation Of the people to uphold their
countrys honor.
THE STIRRING EVENTS OF THE WAR.
Taking up chronologically the events
of the war, the president reviews them
carefully. The first encounter was the
shelling of Matanzas on April 9th.
This was followed by an engagement
which was destined to mark memor-
able epoch in maritime warfare. , This
was Commodore Deseys wonderful vic
tory at Manila on May l. The effect
Of this remarkable victory, says the
president, Upon the spirit Of our peo-
pie and upon the fortunes of the wal
was instant. \ prestige Of invincibiii,
ty thereby attached to our arms. which
continued throughout the struggle. "
The president says that only reluct.
ance to cause needless loss Of life and
property prevented the early stormine
and capture of the city (Manila,) and
therevith the absolute military occu.
pancy OF the whole group" Following
the memorable trip Of the battleshir
Oregon from San Francisco to Key
West and the bombardment of San Juar
and forts of Santiago, to which specia
reference is made, the presiden: says:
The next act in the war thrilled
not alone the hearts of our countrymer
but the world by its exceptional hero
isu. On the night Of June 3d, Lieut.
anan+ uohean si6ed hy seven LeyoteC