The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-01-20
NOT wARL1KE. BUT RIGHT.

The Oakland Times says, with an at
tempted sneer, that the RECORD UNION is
hot for war. with Chile. Nothing of the
kind; it abhors war as the most deplor-
able Of resorts, and regards the highest
office of craftsmanship to be the avoid
ance of war, with honor.
But the RECORD UNION is hot. ''red-
hot" if the Times prefers, for the MAIN
tenance of national honor and dignity
abroad; for the protection of the Ameri-
can citizen IN all lands; for making good
the guarantee that the flag shall guard all
the legal rights of our people who visit
treaty nations.
If the Times does not know it, it ought
to, that American citizens, to this very
day, who travel in Europe very often
place themselves under British protec-
ton in order to be secure in their rights
and to command respect from the petty
authorities of foreign powers. Nay, they
are often advised to take such step by
our own Consuls in foreign ports. This,
we submit, is first a national shame,
second, disgraceful humiliation of citi-
zenship, and it is due solely and simply
to the notorious fact that we have long
submitted to indignities and insult, and
and have often failed to adequately pro-
tect our citizens abroad. If the Times does
not know that the American in foreign
ports is contemptuously regarded very
often, when compared with the respect
shown the rights of British subjects, let
its editor crawl out of his provincial shell
and spend some time in Italy, Spain or
any of the monarchical States of Europe.
Ii the Times does not know it the rest
of the world does, that had the murdered
sailors of the Baltimore been English
blue jackets Chile would have expressed
regret to the British Minister within a
day, and have apologized and made re-
paration in fortnight. And this, simply
because England protects her sub
jects abroad promptly and with
out intervention of red tape tying. In
deed, some notable instances are OF
record where British commanders have
opened their ports and lighted
zens from foreign outrage, simply be-
cause humanity demanded it, and the
United States did not afford it, or inspire
the foreign authority with respect and
fear. A notable instance of this was seen
in Cuban port, few years ago, where a
British Captain saved the lives of group
Of young Americans who had been sum-
marily condemned to death.
We repeat, war is horrid; it means the
killing of human beings; the wreck OF
commerce; the stagnation of trade; the
breaking up of amicable relations for
many years. But national honor, the
protection of our citizens and the cleanli-
ness of the flag must be the rule of the
nation if we are not be held as contempti-
bles and lickspittles. War is not neces-
sary to bring about better condition OF
things with Chile What we need is
promptness in all such cases, lodgment
of broader powers in the commanders OF
our ships of war, and where outrage is
not righted promptly to make a speedy
belligerent showing that will command
respect ana decent behavior.
War should be the last resort; it should
not be provoked; but when national
honor and the lives and rights of ouI
people demand protection it should moi
be wooded.