His
portrait and the _Maine_ lithographs were hung side by side, and the
people spoke of 'Our Fitz' with enthusiastic affection. The President
and his Cabinet were roundly censured for their policy of moderation.
Much whiskey and beer was consumed by thirsty patriots. The pent-up
feeling of the people found relief here and there by loud
cheering--especially at the bulletin boards. Tiny Cuban flags were worn.
Crossed American and Cuban flags were everywhere displayed.
"The De Lome incident--the intercepted letter of the imprudent Spanish
Minister, and his subsequent disgrace and recall--was another
much-discussed topic. It was an open secret, especially among the
newspaper fraternity and others in the know, that the former minister
had dispensed with lavish hand a corruption fund to influence writers on
the American press. A little clique of journalists in and around the
Capitol had profited greatly. Information about alleged filibuster
movements found a ready market at the Spanish legation. These, and a
dozen other subjects relative to the momentous events then impending,
occupied the thoughts of a highly excited public.
"That walk down Pennsylvania Avenue from the Treasury to the Capitol
opened my eyes wider than ever to the fact that the popular clamor was
for war, war, the sooner the better.
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