Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1869-04-27
War with Spain and England

Some of the Northern Presses, among which
the New York Herald is conspicuous, are ure-
ing policy upon the Administration which
tends to involve this country in war with Spain
and England, and probably France. They urge
the Importance ofthe acquisition Of Canada,
Mexico, Cuban and the West India Islands,
The Herald affects to believe that the President
lends willing ear to these counsels In its is
sue OF Thursday last, it says:
Our Secretary of State, moving with the
tunes, tells Spain, through her Minister, that
the policy OF the administration with reference
to Cuba is settled. He refuses to issue pro-
clamatlon modelled upon that of President Fill
more IN 1851. How far Spain is behind the
age is best indicated by her asking for reissue
Of such a cold blooded document. Mr.. Fish
told the Spanish Minister that the Cubans al
ready had government of their own that Gen
eral Dulce must recall his unwarrantable order
about vessels found traversing Cuban waters
that Americans had a right to volunteer in the
Cuban revolutionary cause if they desired that
our fleet near Cuba is there to protect the
rights and persons OF every American citizen.
President Grant desires that every American,
at home or abroad, shall be shielded from vio-
lence and outrage" All this is American and
to the point. 1t is just what the whole people
would say were the question submitted to them.
1t is only necessary for the administration to
fearlessy carry out the programme here indicat-
ed to become the most popular that the country
has ever had.
The sharp language to Spain and the tone
of the administration and Congress towards
England Indicate that We are to settle our for
eign questions in dignifed manner We would
not enter into war with England as long as
Al Sc bor of homo Ia
her part for the great wrongs done to US; but
we have little inclination to double the effect of
those wrongs by nursing them. Better settle
them at once, peaceably, if possible-by the
sword, if necessary. 1t would be grand strug-
gle-a battle between old Mother England and
ourselves. She is powerful, full of terrible ele-
ments for offensive or defensive warfare-all
snew, all courage; we are proud Of her. but
prouder still that we face her with hands on
our sword-hilts, fearing nothing We have not
blamed her for sweeping our commerce from the
ocean we only complain that she lacked honor
in not frankly acknowledging that the dissolu-
ton of the United States was and is a necessity
to her. In her four years indirect warfare a.
galnst US she has gained some advantage. We
wish at least to repair it, and know of no better
way than to do 1t by active war. We desire to
sweep her commerce from the ocean, cut off her
trade communications with other countries and
stop her spindles. The war closed would find
US side by side, well wrecked, but with fair
start for the future. With our superior re-
operative powers twenty years would then give
us the commercial position we held before Eng
land destroyed it. We believe that General
Grant feels and obeys the pressure of the peo-
pie in their views as here presented. We want
a settlement with Spain-with England. The
long looked for moment has arrived when we
feel strong enough to demand fair play