Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 87, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 July 1898 — A GRATEFUL NATION [ARTICLE]

A GRATEFUL NATION

American People Callei Upoi to Give Thanks. PROCLAMATION BT THE PRESIDENT. Citizens Asked to Express Their Gratitude for Recent Viotorles, to Pray for Further Successes ucil for Return of Peace. Washington, July 7.—President McKinley at 11:40 Wednesday night issued the following proclamation to the American people: “To the People of the United States Of America: At this time, when to the yet fresh' remembrance of the unprecedented success which attended the operations of tl. s United States fleet in the Bay of Manila on the Ist day of May last, are added the tidings of the no less glorious achievements of the naval and military arms of our beloved country at Santiago de Cuba, It Is fitting that we should pause, and, staying the feeling of exultation that too naturally attends great deeds wrought by our countrymen In our country’s cause, should reverently bow before the throne of Divine grace and give devout praise to God, who holdeth the nations in the hollow of His hands and worketh upon them the marvels of His high will and who has thus far vouchsafed to us the light of His face and led our brave soldiers and seamen to victory. T therefore ask the people of the United States upon next assembling for Divine worship in their respective places of meeting to offer thanksgiving to Almighty God. who, in His inscrutable ways, now leading our hosts upon the waters to unscathed triumph, now guiding them in a strange land through the dread shadows of death to success, even though at a fearful cost, now bearing them without accident or loss to far-distant climes, ha's watched over our cause and brought nearer the success of

the right and the attainment of Just and honorable peace. “With the nation’s thanks let there be mingled the nation’s prayers that our gallant sons may be shielded from harm alike on the battlefield and in the clash of fleets and be spared the scourge of suffering and disease while they are striving to uphold their country’s honor; and wdthal let the nation’s heart be stilled with holy awe at the thought of the noble men who have perished as heroes die, and be filled with compassionate sympathy for all those who suffer bereavement or endure sickness, wounds and bonds by reason of the awful struggle. And, above all, let us pray with earnest fervor that He, the dispenser of all good, may speedily remove from us the untold afflictions of war and bring to our dear land the blessings of restored peace and to all the domain now ravaged by the cruel strife the priceless boon of security and tranquillity. WILLIAM M KINLET. “Executive Mansion, Washington, July 6, 181*8. ’’ Tl»e Spanish Prisoners. Washington, July 7. —Sampson has been directed to send his prisoners to the United States. Possibly the Harvard will bring some of them. The St. Louis is tilled with wounded soldiers and cannot be used to convey the Spanish sailors. The enlisted men and non-commissioned officers among the prisoners will be sent to Portsmouth, N. H., where they will be confined on Seavey’s island in the harbor. Orders for the immediate preparation of that place for the reception of the prisoners are going forward. The commissioned officers, from Admiral Cervera himself dow*n to the ensigns, will be sent to Fort Warren, Boston harbor, where they will be turned over to the army for safe keeping. Ready to Exchange Hobaon. Sampson did not report at the navy department, but the war department sent over a very agreeable message from Shafter announcing the readiness of the Spaniards to exchange Hobson and his men. It is believed that this was accomplished some time during the day. though notice of it has not been received. Heat News of the Day. Secretary Long regarded the report that the Alphonso XII. had been destroyed while trying to run the Havana blockade as the best news of the day. It had not come to him In any direct official way but through a report from Gen. Ureely. chief signal officer, who had received a cipher message stating briefly that the Spanish ship had been overhauled near Mariel, while trying to get through the blockade and was a total loss as a result of the fire upon her. Both the secretary and Gen. Greely regarded the report as authentic, but there was a desire to get fuller details. *