Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-05-07
DENEY'S NENSFROM MANILA
Should Be Received Here With a
Popular Demonstration.
Leading Citizens Favor the Regis
ter's Suggestion-A Street De-
monstration, or a Public Meeting,
or Both - General Belief That
There Will Be Other News Soon
to Justify a Local Celebration.


There Will Be Other News Soon
to Justify a Local Celebration.
The Registers suggestion that the re-
ceipt of official information of the Amer
lean victory at Manila, be made the occas-
ion for a popular demonstration by the
people of Wheeling, meets with the APP
probation of leading citizens.
Yesterday afternoon a Register reporter
secured the views of a number of proni-
nent citizens with reference to the matter.
The sentiment favorable to the idea was
unanimous, but there appeared to be 4
divergence of opinion as 10 the form
which the celebration should take. Some
favored band parade, others d public
meeting, and still others a big Qualification
to include both parade and speeches.
Wheeling has been very backward in
the line of patriotic demonstrations, said
President Huliihen Quarter, of the Cham
Der of Commerce, ''and it would not be
bad idea to make up for this appar-
ent lack of interest by one monster dem
onstration. If the official news from Man
lila is delayed several days longer, l think
we may hear other reports of a nature to
cause rs to enthuse. In my opinion it is
extren..iy probable that there will be an
engagement between the Cape Verde
fleet and Admiral Sampson fleet, and
the inevitable result must be the defeat
If not the annihilation, of the Spanish
forces. The suggestion has been made
that the Chamber of Commerce take some
action in the matter. but l cannot say
that | approve of that plan The demon
-t,, el
any organiza ton taking the lead. | am
told that Wheeling is not as generally
decorated as other cities of approximate
size. BY all means let us have big
demonstration upon the receipt of news
which will justify it"
Il think there should have been a
greater display of patriotic enthusiasm
upon the receipt of the first news from
Manila" said Judge Hugus, of the Grim
inal Court THAT was really the time
for a demonstration, as I have no doubt
the official reports will confirm the news.
We may receive other information of an
encouraging nature, and a public eX-
preston of JOY over the success of Amer
lean arms will meet with the approval Of
every patriotic citizen
Yes. let us have a demonstration, :"
said Mayor J. r. Butts. "Whooperup for
the American navy and the glorious vic
tory of Commodore Dewey. Hang out the
flags. get out the bands, have some
speeches and give some of the pyro-
technical patriotism that seems to be
lacking in Wheeling. l would like to see
every great victory celebrated and there
will be no more fitting time than upon
receipt of official news of Deweys defeat
of the Spanish at the Philippines"
Wheeling people appear to be slow in
this natter said County Commissioner
H. P. McGregor. THE Registers sug-
gestion that a demonstration take place
upon receipt of official confirmation of the
news from Manila, is an excellent one
Let the demonstration be one of some
magnitude. There should be plenty Of
music and an abundance of decorations.
and if a meeting is held, it should be in
the open air, as the theatres are too
small. 1t is likely that other victories
will follow that of Commodore Dewey's
fleet. And by the way, this government
should hold on to Cuba, the Philippines,
Puerto Rico and the Sandwich Islands
They will be found invaluable as coalinS
stations, in the event of entanglements
with foreign powers. ! don't approve OF
the antiquated idea that the United States
should have no colonial possessions. The
powers are dividing up Africa, and now
propose a partition of China. This gov
eminent has the same right to acquire
territory, and should assert that right
We have the opportunity to secure val
liable islands, and should hold them
Il am not much on demonstrations,
said Walter H. Rinehart, and I would
not undertake to suggest the proper form
for celebration. but 1t seems that if
there has been an occasion for patriotic
rejoicing in twenty years, it is at this
time. Wheeling is very cold in her atti-
tude since the declaration of war, but it
is not because of lack of patriotism. 1t
is because of lack of emotional feeling.
The people are not so easily moved as
the citizens of other communities | think
a very encoura ging bulletin--say a report
of the destruction of the Cape Verde
feet-would release all the pent up en-
thusiasm and we should have popular
demonstration as is a demonstration
81 cannot understand why Wheeling is
behind in a public display of interest in
the war" said Hon. A. r. Campbell. Il
think it is very probably due to the fact
that no military companies have gone out
Of this city The Registers suggestion is
an excellent one, and should be acted up
on. | think when the proper time comes,
there should be street parade with lotS
of patriotic music. and a generous display
Of flags and bunting. to be followed by
a mass meeting al some central point