The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1892-01-23
The Nation United.

The Nation United.
Under the above caption the New
York Tribune which we regard as
an able exponent of the best Repub-
lican sentiment in this country,
states the issue now pending between
the United States and Chile, and
which opinions we believe will be
shared by the intelligent masses o
the American people. The people
of this country says the Tribune
never want war. Less than a gen.
Grafton ago they had enough of it
to last for long time. Its suffer-
ings and sacrifices, its narrowing
memories and losses, its heavy ex-
penses and the long continued
burdens resulting, have taught the
nation that war is not a remedy to
be lightly invoked. But the people
are nevertheless determined, and
rightly, to maintain the nation S
dignity and honor If wrong or
insult should come, even from the
most powerful of all nations, Ameri-
cans would only hesitate long
enough to allow ample opportunity
for pacific adjustment and reparation
Diplomacy failing, and kindly but
earnest appeal to the good sense
and good feeling of another nation,
Americans would be instantly united
as one man to defend the rights of
the nation to the utmost. 1t is
because this characteristic of the
American people is known, and is
not at all misunderstood by the
principal nations Of Europe, that it
is found easy to adjust all differences
with such nations in an amicable
manner.
Apparently Chile mistakes the
peaceful disposition and the conf
dent strength Of this nation. If so,
it is mistake for which the United
States Government is not in
any way responsible, since it has
earnestly appealed to the better
feeling and sober thought of Chile
in an earnest endeavor to obtain
justice by amicable representations.
Within few days, it is probable,
the authorities of Chile will volun-
tarily change their attitude toward
this country, or the attitude of the
United States toward them will per-
force be changed. They may then
discover, when it is too late, that
there are no parties in this country
if the nations honor or right is at
stake, and that its patience does not
mean timidity.
Every right thinking citizen will
hope that hostilities may be avoided
by good sense and Christian feeling.
But it is gratifying to see at this
hour that leaders of the Democratic
party in Congress manifest an unre-
served determination to uphold the
President In defending the honor of
the country. They only do justice
to him in personally assuring him
that in any just controversy they
stand by his side, and are aware
that he cares for the welfare and the
dignity of the country as much as
they do. They honor themselves
by refusing to take any step in Con-
gress, at least thus far, which might
in any degree embarrass the Presl
dent in acting on behalf of the nation
1t is to be hoped that this spirit will
prevail to the end, so that Americans
may exhibit to the world the impos-
ing spectacle of a great people
absolutely united in acting for the
defence of their honor and their
rights, though their parties are di
vided as widely as possible in
opinions and wishes regarding the
domestic policy OF the nation. No
other thing could do more at this
time to help the Democratic party
in the estimation of good citizens
than this, and yet no sincere Repub-
lican will wish to see any other spirit
manifested by his political adver-
saries.
If Chile should choose to make
resort to hostilties inevitable, the
resuI.would not be long delayed.
Inns Ration can land in Chile within
a short time an army of veterans
under experienced leaders sufficiently
powerful to overcome all opposition
'ould please right thinking
greatly if, without any
= of force on the
the people of /
- !