Opposition to the System.-As this book goes to press, a campaign is opening on the question of the Dispensary, sixteen counties having already voted out the institution, and candidates are opposing one another on that question for the office of Governor and for minor offices.

An investigating committee, appointed by the Legislature from its own members, is ascertaining how the system has been conducted, and already many gross abuses in the administration of the law have been brought to light.

CHAPTER XXIX

WAR WITH SPAIN

War to Liberate Cuba.-For some time prior to 1898, conditions in Cuba had been growing more intolerable. Spain had failed to win the affection or even the formal loyalty of the Cubans, who had striven to gain their independence in a long series of revolts. The "war of liberation" was still continuing in 1898, although it had been in progress for many years. Throughout the island of Cuba a condition bordering upon chaos prevailed, the farms had been destroyed by the raiders of both sides in order that the enemy might not gain subsistence in the country, and the people in many parts had been driven into the cities, either to avoid starvation or by the terrible "reconcentrado" methods of the merciless Spaniards -methods, to our shame be it said, that we condemned, and yet adopted against the Filipinos.

The situation was annoying and injurious to this country, and the people were aroused to indignation by the tyranny and cruelty of the Spaniards, who could not subdue the island, and yet would not relinquish it. . At this juncture the United States determined to intervene. It requested Spain to put an end to the state of disorder in Cuba, or to withdraw. When the controversy was growing more bitter daily, as Spain delayed a satisfactory response, the American warship Maine was blown up while on a friendly visit to Habana. It is

still unknown whether the Maine was blown up by the Spaniards, from an explosion within her own hold, or by drifting upon a mine; but the loss of the ship with several hundred lives so aroused the American people that war was inevitable. Hostilities were soon declared, the coasts of Cuba were blockaded, a fleet sent to destroy the Spanish squadron at Manila, and an army dispatched to Santiago on the southern coast of Cuba.

Victory, but Without Prestige.-The war was brief and without a single action worthy the prestige of American arms, although its consequences were tremendous and may even prove of vital significance to this country. The Spaniards were defeated in the small affairs of Las Guasimas, El Caney, and San Juan, in Cuba, and the small fleet of Spanish cruisers, without proper guns or ammunition, was sunk off Santiago in a futile though gallant effort to dash through our overwhelming naval force.

In the Philippines, a single battle, the farcical sinking of the Spanish squadron by a vastly superior fleet, put an end to Spanish dominion. But this was but the beginning of our difficulties. We soon became involved in war with the natives, who, like the Cubans, had been long struggling to win their independence from Spain. After long and costly campaigns, in which the Filipinos were slaughtered in great numbers, the islands were declared to be "pacified," but war in various portions of the archipelago has smoldered and still survives in petty revolts among the Moros of the Sulu Islands and even among the Filipinos.

Spirit of Conquest and "Imperialism."-The conquest of the Philippines marked the dawn of a new era, a new spirit in our government. We became a "world-power," with territorial ambitions and the spirit of "imperialism" that accompanies such rank. The Philippine war and the annexation of the islands is, therefore, one of the most significant events in American history, making a complete and perhaps final departure from the earlier ideals and principles of the Republic.

South Carolina took little part in this war. She responded promptly to the President's call for troops to drive the Spaniards from Cuba, and sent her full quota. They took part, however, in no engagement, although a South Carolinian, Lieutenant Victor Blue, of the navy, distinguished himself by a brilliant reconnaissance around the Spanish positions at Santiago.

The only gratifying result of the war with Spain was the expulsion of the Spaniards from Cuba, which was the last vestige of the once mighty empire of Spain in the Western Hemisphere. In respect to Cuba, the United States acted with commendable, though with proper and due self-restraint. She might have seized the island, and some historical writers pretend to see in our failure to do so an act of great virtue; but it was the only decent and just course for us to pursue. There was only one path of honor open to us-and we took it. Cuba was guaranteed protection, and allowed to organize her own government, and she has now become an independent and a prosperous republic.

CHAPTER XXX

DENOMINATIONAL AND ENDOWED EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND LITERARY SOCIETIES

Progress of Education.-We have already spoken of the State institutions of learning and their splendid advancement, but the story of the work done by denominational and endowed colleges and schools is yet to be told, although this volume is inadequate for a full account of the noble charities and of the self-sacrificing devotion of those connected with their upbuilding.

Benedict College and Allen University in Columbia and Avery Institute in Charleston were founded for the benefit of the negroes and are being successfully conducted.

Cedar Springs Institute, for the deaf, dumb, and blind, at Cedar Springs in Spartanburg County, was for several years before the war a private enterprise, founded and conducted by the Rev. N. P. Walker, who gave himself unreservedly to this work. Under Mr. Walker's efforts the school was adopted by the State and is continued as a State institution. It is in charge of Mr. N. F. Walker, the founder's son, and is conducted in a highly creditable manner, promising to be of much benefit to the children of many generations to come.

Erskine College is the oldest of the denominational colleges of the State. It is located at Due West, Abbeville County. It began its work in 1839, with the Rev.