Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1855-05-02
WAR WITH SPAIN.

"thHl SEaARss
THE probability Of war with Spain is growing
by degrees beautifully less. The mission Of Commo-
dore McCAULEY is assuming us peaceful guse as
the veriest Quaker could desire. He is indeed repre-
sented now being under the strictest inJunctons
from the Administration to do nothing rashly or unad-
visedy, but on the contrary all proper efforts to
prevent rupture that nigh! lead TO hostilities. We
but admire the policy of the Government in this
regard. 1t is at once magnanimous and wise Those
who talk in such exalted strains Of wrauness about
the interference Of certain Spanish authorities, should
remember that there is ground of palIia,ion for this
seemingly impertinen inerrnedling, in the unlawful
and unrghteous Developments IS of American Fillibus-
lcr.ism. Those who indulge the hope OF war, from
dreamy expectations Of glory and renown should re.
member that with that war would come train Of dis
asers under Which the opulent could barely live and
which would grind the poor into the dust. And last
but not least, those who welcome this war, on the
ground that an easy conques: Of Cuba would be the
result, should remember that might does not make
right in this day of the worlds civilization.
If there be any real insult offered to our flag upon
the high seas by the armed vessels Of Span or OF any
nation, it is Of course the duty OF the "powers that
be" 10 demand and obtain redress at any and every
hazard. But TO make the mere friek Of Spanish
Captain, or even Spanish Governor, the Irets1t OF
punging The country into war, without that fair ap-
peal to the home government which international good
faith requires, is surely little short of semi-barbarsm
If after such appeal redress is not accorded, then 10
arms and blot the insult with the blood Of thous.
ands il need be- In the case Of present relations
with Spain, no such emer:en"y has arrived, nor
is likely to nrrve. We have faith that firm course
on the part Of the Administrator, which we doubt
not will mark its policy throughout, will have the ef.
feet Of speedily restoring degree of confidence be-
tween the two governments (Flbuserism permitting)
which shall bring forth better fruits than boodshed
II it be possible, it does seem to us That true wisdom
would still prompt the cultivation Of such terms with
Spain might yet make her the Ally Of the Ameri.
can Union, instead OF forcing her into position Of fu-
rous antagonism. The people of these United States
should reflect that we are not yet by any means so
almighty as to set at naught the common lessons OF
prudence. Nor we yet 30 shperabundanlly wealthy
forget, when going ntU war, 10 couni the cosls
II war be imperalrely demanded to maintain our
rights or avenge our honor, let it come. But if both
these objects be satisfactorily obtained by skill
fu diplomacy, why, in Heavens name, let that policy
prevail Our earliest lesson es people, and it is the
one TO which we owe our greatness, was to nc!
promptly on the defensive, but 10 abstain from
assuming the attitude of aggression. True, This is
policy, however good, from which some circumstances
might compel departure. But those circumstances
should be absolutely imperative-by which we mean
that the offence to be avenged must be of kind which
peaceful negotiations have failed to wipe out, or The
rights to be protected Of character whose redress
can only be achieved in this way Otherwise, th'