Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-09-01

MANILA. PHILIPPINE ISLANDS,
June, 1898.
Twas for Cuba and our honor to avenge our
heroes slain,
That victory wreathed our banner, when we
fought the ships ofspain.
The L. S. Fleet, consisting of "Olympia" flag
ship, Boston" Raleigh" Baltimore" "Con-
cord" .'Petre," "McCulloch,' dispatch boat,
and transports" Naushan," "Zafiro,' (Merchant
steamers carrying coal for feet. left Mrs Bay,
China April 81, 1898, for Manila, Philippine Is
lands. to engage Spanish feet, stationed there.
The ships made very war-like and imposing
picture as they steamed out of the harbor in
three columns, with all colors flying, bent on
their dire and fateful errand. locker on
would have thought that the ships were merely
going pleasure trip, judging by the careless
demeanor of the crews; but unless they have eI-
perlenced it, they would never guess the strain
that the uncertainty of whether we were really
going to war or not, was on the nerves of these
men, who had almost nothing to divert their
minds. Once the suspense relieved, how
ever, and definite move made, there was a
complete change and they went about their diff
ferent tasks as blithesome and gay as if it were
extended leave instead of grim war.
The second day out the following intellectual
abortion was posted on the bulletin board. For
arrogance and conceit it certainly caps the clim-
ak; for a sample OF ignorance and diocy, it is
surpassable:
Proclamation issued by the Governor-General
of the Philippines.
"spanards- Spain and the United
States of North America, hostilities have broken
out. The moment has arrived, to prove to the
world that we possess the oirit to conquer those
who, pretending to be loyal friends take advant-
age Of our misfortunes and abuse our hospitality
using means which civilized nations count un-
worthy and disreputable.
1.-The North American people constituted OF all
the social eXcrescence, have exhausted our
patience and provoked war with their perfidious
Vaccinations with their acts of treachery and
with their outrages against the laws of nations
and international treaties.
THE struggle will be short and decisive Ut
wasl The God of victories will give us one as
complete as the righteousness and justice of our
cause demands
Spain, which counts upon the sympathies of
all nations will emerge triumphant from this
new test, humilatng and blasting, the adyen-
turers from the states that, without cohesion and
without a history, offer to humanity only inta-
nous traditions and the spectacle of a Congress
il which appear united insoence and detama-
tiCn, cowardice and cYnicism.
\ soJtad or manned by foreigners, possessing
neither insrrucuou nor discipline, Is preparngto
come to this Archipelago, with the rufiiauiy in
tention Of robbing us of all that means life
honor and liberty. Pretending TO he inspired by
courage Of which they are incapable, the
North American seamen, undertake as an enter
prise capable Of realization the substitution Of
Professionalism for the Catholic religion you pro
fess to treat you tribes refractory to civiliza
ton, to take possession of your riches as if they
were unacquanted with the rights of property,
and to kldnap those persons whom they con-
slider useful to man their ships or to be exploit
ed in agricultural or industrial labor. Vain de-
signs Ridiculous boastings Your indomit
able bravery will suffice to Illustrate the at empt
TO carry them into realization. You will not
consent that they shall profane the faith you pro-
fess, that impious footsteps shall dee the temple
of the true God; nor that unbelief shall destroy
the Holy images which you adore.
THE aggressors shall not profane the tombs of
your fathers they shall not crafty their lustful
passions at the cost of your wives and daughters
honor, nor appropriate the property which your
industry has accumulated to assure your liveli'
hood. No, they shall not perpetrate any of these
crimes inspired by their wickedness and covet-
eousness, because your valor and patriotism will
suffice to punish and abase the people that,
claiming to be civilized and cultivated, have ex-
terminated the natives of North America instead
of bringing to them the life of civilization and
progress
"Philippinos prepare for the struggle, and
united under the glorious flag of Spain, which is
ever covered with laurels. Let us fight with the
conviction that victory will crown our efforts
and to the summons of our enemies let us OPP
pose, oppose with the decision of the christian
and the patriot, the cry of '"Viva Espano.'"