The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-11-19
VALUABLE LESSONS FOR THE jim
GOISTS.

The New York Evening Post, in most
timely article, recalls some Of the incl
dents Of General Grants administration
that are valuable as commentaries upon
the lingo spirit that has developed itself
so profusely i'm this country in the heads
and conduct Of some of those fiery poll
ticlans that always want TO shed their
blood for their country until real lighting
commences. 1t recalls, what most people
have very likely forgotten, that on the
3ist May, 1870 Grant sent message TO
the Senate urging that body to ratify a
treaty he had negotiated annexing san
Domingo to the United States. In this
message he outjingoed Chandler even,
for he states in 1t that his prime reason
for the act was that it would rebound
greatly 10 the glory Of the two coun-
fries" At that time, then, General Grant
thought that anything which would re
dound TO the glory of the United States
it was right and proper the United States
should do. never mind what considera-
tions of another character might call
upon us to refrain from the act. This
ought to be satisfactory TO the most in
famed lingo of the lot.
Grant was not only a Jingoist, but as
h, then looked at matters he was an ad-
vocate OF the Monroe doctrine" who
could discount Monroe. In that message
he said:
THE doctrine promulgated by President
Monroe has been adhered TO by all politi-
cal parties, and / now deem it proper TO
assert the equally important principle,
that hereafter no territory on this con-
tinent shall be regarded as subject 10
transfer TO European power"
What he meant by this. he explained.
was that he had reliable information
that a European power stands ready
now TO offer 100000 for the possession
of SANTANA Bay alone If refused by US"
SANTANA Bay is part of San Domingo.
We heard a good deal of talk like this
when Mr.. Harrison was trying TO annex
the Hawaiian Islands to this country. but
neither SANTANA Bay nor Hawaii has yet
been annexed to this country or to any
other. The American Senate very wisely
refused TO ratify the treaty of annexa-
ton, and we have thus been spared the
turmoil that would have arisen from in
cooperating another State with a negro
majority into the Union.
But Grants folly in this case plainly
caused him to be taken in hand by some
public man who had sense and a knowl-
edge of our obligations and duties under
the code OF International Laws. and this
person, whoever he may have been, very
soon put entirely different ideas into his
head.
cuba was at that time. as she is now.
in a state Of insurrection, and then, as
now, there We're Jingoists clamoring that
this country should recognize the insur-
rectionists as belligerents. Just two
weeks after he had sent his foolish San
Domingo message to the Senate he sent
In a message concerning Cuba, which
was as anti-Jingo as the former one was
the other way. 1t began with clear
statement OF the condition OF the struggle
on the island. and one that probably de-
now He said
"The instruction seems 10 be confined
to an irregular system Of hOStilities, car
red ON By small and 'l-l.nel bands Of
men. roaming without concentration
through the woods and the sparsely popu-
lated regions Of the island. attacking from
ambush conveys and small hands Of
troops. burning plantations and the es-
tates OF those not sympathizing with their
cause. Although the Spanish
authorities have possession of every sea-
port and every town on the island. they
have not been able TO subdue the hostile
feeling which has driven considerable
number OF the native inhabitants of the
island TO armed resistance against Spain"
He deplored "the lameatable disregard
OF human life and Of the usages and prac-
tees which modern civilization has pre-
scented in mitigation of the necessary hor-
rors of war" citing examples which. hap
ply. the present struggle seems to have
omitted. and distributing tho blame on
both sides. He pointed out as "a remark
able exhibition" the presence OF large
number of escaped Cubaus in this coun-
try. striving ito embroil this Government
in complications and possible hostllities
with Spain" under the apparently plaus-
ible demand for mere recognition OF
bclligerency," and no declared that our
course in the matter should be patterned
as a safe guide on ''the liberal and
peaceful principles adopted by the Father
OF his Country and the eminent states
men OF his day. He then cited the
course pursued by Washington. Adams.
jefferson. Madison. and Monroe, and de-
clared that this has been one OF the
highest honors OF the American states
manship" and he added:
1T has given to this Government po-
eition of prominence and OF influence
which il should not abdicate, but which
imposes upon II the most delicate duties
Of right ana Of honor regarding Ameri-