The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-28
Public School Pupils Honor and Extol the Dead
Heroes of the Nation.

A pre.sier sight 10 seldom seen on Men,
the exercises held In the high school build
ing yesterday afternoon. when fully loo
boy and girl pupils. their parents and
friends. gathered N the large assembly
hall to honor the memory Of the soldier
dead. The hall itself was beautifully dec
GRATED. The wide stage held clusters of
fragrant flowers. while over them hung
the folds Of the Stars and Stripes. Bright
rugs lent a warmth OF color to the scene.
Everywhere was the spirit of patriotism.
1t shone from the silken flags and glowed
In the faces of the youthful throng.
The exercises were opened at half-past
l2 by the school singing Marching TO
Cuba" The swinging time OF the tune
hit the keynote OF the day, set boot toes
to tapping, and infused a spirit into the
audience which lasted for the remainder
OF the afternoon, at least.
When the notes OF the battle song had
died away into the farther corners of the
room Miss Grace Mitchell was called upon
for a recitation. "A Dream Of the Brave"
il was entitled, and she recited 1t II. q
very clever way, showing consider
able feeling and expression. Miss Grace
Matthew followed with recitation. "The
Deserters." She also did herself much
credit Miss Corey and Miss Conn pleased
their hearers with piano duet that called
forth liberal applause. and Miss Lulu Du-
pee read Tribute to the Lost of the
Maine II was very well received. Then
tho audience was ready to sing that most
beautiful OF all national anthems, "The
Slar-Spangled Banner The hymn IS
worth hearing at all times. but 20 hear 1t
from the threats OF a vast crowd of boys
and girls is better than some things that
can be thought Of in moments time.
Declaration OF War.
An essay, Formal Declaration of War"
composed and read by Miss Blanche Ken
nedy, proved creditable effort. The text
of the paper follows:
In time of peace prepare for war;
1.-THE necessity for guarding against the
confusion and misunderstanding likely ia
arise regarding the justifiable action of
nations in time of war has led to inter-
national arbitration on the subject.
Among points to be considered are,
first, what shall be held sufficient grounds
other; and. second. under what conditions
Is 1t justifable for a third nation to offer
help OR interfere"
There appears to have been some diff
ference of opinion at Washington as to
whether a formal declaration of war by
congress against Spain was necessary.
The only declaration of WET ever made by
congress was that against Great Britain,
IN 1872. In the case of Mexico. in 1s44.
President Polk sent a message to congress
stating that war already exists by the act
Of Mexico, and congress Immediately re-
sponded by voting men and money TO car
ry on the war
Under the law of nations, while sond
public act recognizing a state of war is
deemed important, the different powers
have, as. a rule. made a declaration at
such time as suited their convenience, In
order to announce to the people at home
their new duties. as well as to inform neu-
trail nations of the fact. Very frequently
actual hostilities have preceded the dec
laration. Louis Napoleon declared war
before he started his armies toward Ber-
In, but the elder Napoleon usually APP
peared at the head of his columns In the
hostile territory before giving notice Of
his approach In 1877 Russia invaded Tur-
key first and declared war afterward.
THE abrupt and causeless dismissal OF
a minister or ambas ador, as was the case
with Minister Woodford, Is considered an
act of war, and the presentation OF an ui-
timatum may likewise be accepted by the
nation 10 which IL is delivered as an act
of war. In these cases no formal deciara-
ton between hostile powers Is deemed nee
essary.
when war is begun, every individual Is
involved in the hostilities, and treaty pro-
visions are made so any subject of one
power found in the territory OF another Is
subject 20 arrest and his property TO con-
fseat,on The treaty OF 1875 between
Spain and the United States however, pro-
vides that, should war break out be-
tween the two nations. one year after the
of the war the right shall be
allowed the merchants in the cities and
towns to collect and transport
their goods and merchandise: and
IL anything be taken from thers
or any injury be done them within
that term by either power. or the people
or subjects of either. full repara:ion shall
be, made by the government offending.
This clause in the treaty should pro-
teet American merchants residing i'm Span
ish possessions and Spanish merchants in
our own territory; but il does not protect
travellers.
Formal declaration Of war ought to be
made so as TO establish the rights OF cit,-
gems. and also of neutrals. but as there Is
no actual rule on the subject the nations
OF the world mus. sake notice at their
own risk of the date when hos;Iltiss be-
gin"
Address on Patriotism.
The school then sang the Battle Hymn
Of the Republic" after which Donald Nc
Donald delivered an original Grafton. en-
titled patriotism" He said. among 9TH
a. things:
What Is patriotism; Is Z state pfidee
i IL sectional attachment No. man to
be a patriot mus: love his nation better