The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1895-12-10
ON TIE EVE OF a CRISIS.

livered TO MIR. Olney. In tho meantime
the contents Of Lord Salisburys note are
kept secret, awaiting the return OF Pres.
idens Cleveland from his hunting trip,
and, even after HIS return from the
North Carolina sounds, it is not ex-
pected that any information will BIO
given to the public until the document
shall have boon presented to Congress
However, be the purport OF the British
premier's reply what it may, the Presi-
dent does not seem as anxious to learn
what has been written as he is TO shoot
q few ducks.
While no official intimasion has been
given the American public as to tho
contents Of Lord Salisbuey's commune
cation, enough has been revealed OF It's
nature to lead to the ASSURANCE that the
United States Government has boon
politely informed that Great Britains
dispute with Venezuela is matter
which does not concern any nation ex-
ceps the Two Immediately interested.
In other words, England will adhere to
her refusal to arbitrate concerning any
OF the territory within the Schombure
line, and If the United States ID not
satisfied with this decision il will have
to help itself as best it can.
This belng tho situation, it is easy to
see that we are nearing crisis that
may bring two Of the greatest nations in
the world into long and bloody con-
dict, which may eventually involve
Gil the republics OF the A american conti-
nent on the side of the United States.
and ono or more European powers on
the side of England. What such war
might end in Is matter of conf acture
only, Once get the people Of the United
States thoroughly aroused, the conquest
of Canada might be attempted and even
accomplished. Already twice within
the history OF this country has such an
effort been made. Even before their
own independence had been secured, the
colonies in the beginning of the Revo-
lutionary war aimed o. the acquisition
OF Canada. and almost succeeded In
the war of 1872 the Dominion YVES sgain
invaded, and If such was the dream OF
the people then, there is no reason to
doubt, with tho great increase in their
power and resources, that they still in
dul9o in imperial ideas. and only await
the opportunity for carrying them into
effect.
Such war could not fail TO draw all
the American republics into p bond OF
the closest sympathy. and might result
in tho forming OF e collaboration that
would be the grandeas and greatest tho
world has over neep, visa the realization
of the Life dream CO Mc Blaine. Many
atatosmen OF this countr7 have held to
tho idea thas lis I'm ATTEST destiny" il
tho gradual shsor p.ion under one gov
etnmens OF all OF Nar.h and South
America and the adjoining islands o.
dinarily this would BIO the work OF con-
Suries; but as In the case OF tho aboli-
tion OF slavery and tho settlement OF
secession, q great and general war
might, in few yaars. accomplish what
may now seem q wild and chimerical
fancy.
Left TO themselves and tbs Glow pro.
cesses Of educ Alton and assimilation,
the p5ople OF tho United States would,
indeed, be losg time acquiring con-
troll OF this continent; but the sword
will cut the most lntrcsto knots OF
tradition, prejudice and policy, and
bring harmony and psace out OF the
most discordant elements. Such has
been the eXpcrtnrc> ~ h;atorv a,d
az history is ever repeating itself
Great Britain, in refusing to recognize
the principles OF the Monroe doctrine,
may, like the leaders OF Sc ,ession in the
South, bring about a result which she
is now ready to oppose with all hor
energieg and resources.