This is backwards, it makes it seem as if the people are secondary to the military and economic symbols. What BS, this clause would be properly stated as:
(5) declares that these premeditated attacks struck not only at the symbols and structures of our economic and military strength, but also at the people of America, and that the United States is entitled to respond under international law;
An Act Declaring that war exists between the United States of America and the Kingdom of Spain.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, First. That war be, and the same is hereby, declared to exist, and that war has existed since the twenty-first day of April, anno Domini eighteen hundred and ninety-eight, including said day, between the United States of America and the Kingdom of Spain.
Second. That the President of the United States be, and he hereby is, directed and empowered to use the entire land and naval forces of the United States, and to call into the actual service of the United States the militia of the several States, to such extent as may be necessary to carry this Act into effect.
Approved, April 25, 1898.
BY COMMAND OF MAJOR GENERAL MILES:
H. C. CORBIN,
Adjutant General.
This after 252 Officers and men were killed in the explosion of the Maine.
Apparently American life comes much cheaper to our Government now.