The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-11-27
Entertaining Speculations.

Merely entertaining they are, as TAR az
We are able to foresee. These specusassons
are AS 10 the consequences of war "'tn
spain, which Is at present barely possible.
Politically, the speculative takers say that
n war would batch pew brood OF m'li'ar!
heroes to stand In the way Of the "scurvs
politicians in their aspirations for Office
that war would probably illustrate General
GRANTS chances for a third term; that II
would confound and disrupt parties, bring
IN new political issues and forces, and turn
present party leaders out to grass.
These spccuIations are In effect reasons
why the Republican party should not 60 TO
war. But there are two sides to the cues
ton of war 50 far as 1t affects that party. 4
war party is always popular, and all that the
Republican party has to do is to become the
war party. General GRANT could In no
better way secure his continuation In office
beyond the period of eight years than by
policy that would bring on war, and give
him the cc,ot Of couqueror in hoo eors'
and of having secured to the United STATES
the Queen of the Antilles. No hero of two
wars has yet been President, and GRANT
might in this respect become singled OUT
from Among the Presidents.
Both the Republican party aud General
GsASr could, by taking the Initiative, for
thy themselves against the adverse conse-
qoences OF 4 war.
Again, the war with Spain will be mainly
war upon the sea, and the hero of 1t will
be q sailor, and sailors are never made
rulers. No great sea captain has ever stood
forward prominent candidate for the Pre-
sidency.
II var comes on independently of the Re-
publican party 1t would ruin that party un-
dou5tcdly; but it cannot be we'll declared
without tho cooperation Of that party. IN
deed, war cannot take place without diyi-
sion Of that party and the formation Of CO.
ALTON between portions Of that and other
parlies. Such result the Republicans
would prevent if ordinary sagacity directs
their movements.
Commercial men-or some smart jour-
nalists and some political expounders-say
we have trade with Cuba now amounting
70 Sl0O,0O0,0o0, Pretty late authorities
state the whole aDnual export Of Cuba at
about one hundred millions TO all countries.
We can't see exactly where our trade OF
sl00.0OO,0o0 would "come in.''] which
would be smashed up In case of war. Elk.
actly! War is a smasher and q crasher. But
wnut after war? 1t would 60 hard if we
did not make more out OF Cuba as our own
territory than we now make out Of her as
dependency of Spain. She pays large reve.
pues TO Spain, and all the governors sent
over from Spain to misgovern her and
butcher the fiibusters go back to Spain I'M
mensey wealthy. We could put the island
10 better use, make more out Of 1t, preserve
entire peace, and place lighter burthens
upon its people.
But while much speculation is entertain.
Ing to speculative minds-and what mind is
not speculative :-it should not have the
effect Of preventing or making war. The
question is: is such war right and justi-
flbie;' If it is, brave and manly people
will not stop to debate these questions. We
have for long time thought that the United
States Government ought to take Cuba, and
thinking so we have little respect for the
speculatious of the spectators.
II war is right, make 1t; if wrong, don't
think of it. If war or the Selling Of Cuba
il ri-ht, declare it and seize Cuba. Why
should the nation be Influenced by the
amount of good or injury 1t might indlct on
this or that class of politicians or
why SHOULD it stop to inquire how
trade will be affected? This nation has
not reached tie zenith Of lis power
and glory, and should not dream Of
" going into trade" until that point Of ma.
tional fatuess and self.indulgenee Is attained.
The spirit Of intrepid heroisin In this coun.
try ought, phllosophlcally speaking, to be !
lust now in It's zenith. The nation should |
despise the sordid calculations and measure.
nents Of the ledger and the yard.stick, and
b.avely meet the high obligations of heroic
people, irrespective of the baser passions OF
mea: the craft, the cunning, the avarice and
of nations that have reached their |
zenith, and who, through luxury, the "can. !
kcrs OF peace" and the inactivity that breeds |
gout and the kindred maladies Of opulence |
and ease, have begun their easy downward ,
way TO their Nadir.