Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1875-12-03
The American-spanish Middle.


For the last month or so, the vagne and un-
satisfactory news that has come to light in re-
gard 10 the complications between this com
try and Spain has given rise 10 the conjecture,
upon the part Of many Of The would he stales-
men, that the United States and that kingdom
will, in all probability, be prccpitaled into a
war.
Ofconrse there may be some complications
growing ont Of The manner IN which the
American citizens have been treated las il is
said on the island of Cuba, but for any ra-
tional mind 10 believe that the people Of this
country will allow themselves to be drawn in
10 suicidal and disastrous war when they are
already over their heads in debt is more than
we can comprehend. The lessons taught by
our late war are already ringing in our ears.
For il craftsmanship and fair dealing betw cen
man and man lad have controlled the ceun-
ellis Of our Government at Washington, that
conflict between the States, so disastrous and
disgraceful 10 our national prosperity and
reputation, could have been avoided, and the
Union preserved in its integrity as well with
out blood.hed and pecuniary loss as it was
by tie opposite course. So now, can this
country escape the fuinous consequences of
hostilfles with Spain about differences that
have sprung up, which, when compared with
the general welfare are too tri1ng to be max
ing SO much fuse about. All this talk con-
corning the nations honor is the merest bosh
when properly analyz The nations honor
1, I,
ton or iGdisFosition 10 lght--for the dumbest
and most ignorant of the brute creation can
do tlis-to fight in selfdefence is neccssit'
and only glorious aud honorable 10 the extent
Of self-proiectioE, but when nation so far
Gorgets the Divine commandment, Thou
Shalt do no murder, as 10 Stay, butcher and
destroy, simply as a matter Of caprice then in
stead Of a warfare sustaining a nations hon
or, il must, by all Of the rules of correct
reasoning, be regarded as degrading, and
no matter how the contest should terminate,
as damaging.
1t is true that few of our citizens, like the
Cuban Glibusicr, Ryan, of the ill-faled ''Vir-
giniusp noiorety, may have lost their heads
and property by the Spaniards, but, in our
humble opinion, Notwithstanding we think
the act upon the part Of the Spaniards cold
aud heartless murder, yet il is IL result which
the people Of the United States are in no man
ncr bound TO resent, because if Ryan, and
others like him, chose for their OWE ends,
whether creditablc or discredilable to run
into danger and NEEDLE with an affair that did
1 "a tbn;r ;e
responsibility, and theirs alone The loss. Per-
hlps, long series of naval engagements, dur
ing which orr commerce and commercial
towns would suffer untold losses might have
some charm for tie bold, restless and adyen,
tnruus young spirits Of our land but certainly
there could be no indueement in all this to
actuate the Statesmen of our country to advo-
cate such programme. But il is wellknown
that there are numbers Of The influential capt
ialiss of our country who have bought up
the bonds of the Cuban insurgents, which, of
course, would be rendered valuable upon the
recognition Of Cuban Independence by this
country, or Of its annexation TO the United
States. And there others who have mig
ger on the brain, and think ihut Cuba's
troubles should be Enjoyed by US simply for the
emancipation OF poor "Sambo." Thank you,
dear horace Greeleys and Wilson's, we have
just had most delightful repast on account
Of 'sSanibo'' in our late civil war, aud have a
safety Of that kind of philanthropy, which
eliminated in The destruction Of so much
valuable life and property in our own conn
try. And the American Caesar thinks that
his hold upon the people will be strengthened
by the clash of arms and amid the shrieks and
groans of the dyng-truly, his elevation was
brought about by the miseries and msfortunes
of his fellows and he, naturally, thinks the
same means whereby power was acquired,
will perpetuate it.
But it remains to be seen whether the cit-
zens Of this country are willing to sacrifice
their interests au! jeopardize their liberties by
endorsing any such motives or incentives for
war with Spain. The nineteenth century, we
think, in the memorable Geneva arbitration
ah'lr, saw the dawn of that great and philo-
sophical mode of redressng grievances, viz
TO submit the pros aud cons TO fnir and impair
tial judges and abide their decision, and not
by a resort to arms, increasing rather than d.
minishng the evils. A war with Spain
should be avoided.
Ohio is getting ready for crusade in which
shn will have tho srn,natbv # tba ordartv