The Ellensburg dawn. [volume] (Ellensburg, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1899-06-02

4NOTLIl MI iCdI VI iSeI''''' VI WV "'''
in 1903 taught those insolent high
waymen of the deep the right of all
honest tradesman to traverse the
causeways of commerce unmolestcd.
The war of 1912 humbled the
dominesring pride of Great Britain
and taught Johnny Bull II much
needed and long to be remembered
lesson in good manners toward
other nations upon the sea.
The Mexican war in 1861
wrested from this Spain's eldest
daughter gave to Uncle Sam mill
ions of acres of fertile soil
with congenial climate, for free
homes for his sons, and the
homeless of other lands, who might
seek adoption into his family, thus
redeeming this vast tract from mis-
rule and the reign of ignorance.
Prior to the civil war there eX-
listed in our nation an institution
which was foul stain on our ma.
tional escutcheon, a dark blotch on
on our national character. Human
slavery, like some giant octopus,
was constantly throwing out its
hideous arms in search of new ter
ritory. God in peaceful tones, in
loving entreaty, by voice and pen
of such leaders as Wendall Phillips,
Horace Greeley, Cassius Clay and
Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe, called
for its overthrow. His loving tones
were heard unheeded. Again He
called in sterner tones of an awak-
ening popular conscience for the
abolition of slavery. Again His
call was heard UNDECIDED. Then
in wrathful tones He demanded the
freedom of the slave, with threat
of war. John Brown-hs brain
fired to madness by his sufferings
in the Kansas border warfare--be-
lieving himself (the belief born of
disordered BRAIN called of God
, to free the slave, at the head OF his
devoted band OF infatuated follow
ers made q decent on IIarper's
Ferry, and with his life paid the
penalty of his madness: but gave
his life the first offering of blood
/ upon the altar of conscience. Then
! in smoke and dust of civil strife,
with grape and canister, sword and
bayonet, God with His own right
! arm tore down that institution,
struck the shackles from the limbs
of four millions of the dusky sons
and daughters of Ham and erased
the foul stain from our national
character, and left us blood re-
generated nation, undivided with
out a North or South, with II
stronger union than ever before, by
having removed the bone of con-
tention, which would have ever
been source of disturbance to the
peace about the national hearth.
stone.
A third of a century passed, dur
ing which bright robed peace
brooded with snowy pinions over
our land, and beneath their
shadow the American people
serenely slept and sweetly dreamed
of nevermore to be disturbed
tranquility, and in their dream be-
held the beautiful vision of
worldwide harmony of nations.
From their sleep they were rudely
awakened their dream was ruth
lessly shattered. After thirty-three
years of peace the toscin of war was
again sounded calling the nation to
arms in war of which we may
still hear the faint echoes, as of a
retreating storm.
Borne upon the balmy southern
breeze from the fair Isle of Cuba
came the means of the dying, cries
for bread, walls of suffering, and
shrieks of torture of aged men,
helpless women and innocent child
rem, who, outraged in person. ma
ked and houseless, were being