plunge us into war. It will be time enough for us to think of war when
we know beyond a reasonable doubt that we have been injured by Spain and
that Spain refuses to make amends for the loss. Even if the _Maine_ was
blown up by a mine, that does not by any means prove that the Spanish
Government was guilty of the dastardly act. If Spain does what is right
toward redeeming the loss, we will have no just cause for a declaration
of war, and our Government will without doubt use every honorable means
to avoid a conflict.

In connection with the _Maine_ disaster there was no greater example of
heroism than that of the chaplain, the Rev. John P. Chidwick,--"Father
John," as the sailors call him.

From the first he has devoted himself night and day to his
work--spending part of his time with the poor fellows maimed and dying
in the hospital, making their hours of suffering brighter, and from this
work turning to that still more difficult task, the identification of
the dead. He was one of the last to leave the vicinity of the wreck that
terrible night. It was only after the last sailor had been picked up
that he went ashore, and only then because he could be of assistance to
the poor fellows who were suffering. Greater heroism is required to face
such scenes of suffering and death as he had to face, than is necessary
to storm a fortress in time of battle. His name will never be forgotten.

Captain Sigsbee, too, has shown a wonderful amount of self-command in
this time of great trial. Cool and deliberate at the moment of the
disaster, he gave his orders with absolute self-possession, doing the
very best that could be done to save his ship and men. The magazines
were flooded to prevent further damage, and every available step was
taken with as much judgment as if he had had the same terrible