Delaware gazette and state journal., 1895-12-26
na.lne.s In,sre.ls orpo.e war.

| ~ NHlb NNAhNAyg oio ohc
of the greatest in tho world. 1t repre-
sents much of tho wealth, the trade
interests, and the general prosperity Of
the people Of the United States.
This great commercial body is not
disposed to view with complacency any
measures calculated to plunge this coun-
try into a great war, or to tolerate any
clustering talk that may lead up to seri-
GUS foreign complications. 1t is for
peace and prosperity.
Thursday a call was issued for a
special meeting Of the New York
Chamber Of Commerce to be held at an
early date, for the purpose Of cunsid-
erIng the Venezuelan question, brought
into prominence by the message of the
President of the United States.n
This call, we arc told has been
signed by some of the most influential
and prominent members OF the cham
her, and more signatures were being
obtained during the day. Charles Stew
art Smith, eX-presidcnt of the Cham
her, by whom the call was prepared,
said he found that all the members he
had spoken 10 on the subject were en-
tirely opposed TO the attitude assumed
by the President at this time in rea-
ton TO the matter.
Speaking further on tho subject to
reporter, Mr.. Smith said II regret
very much the position taken by the
President of the United States. 1t
savors to me very much of bluff to Il
friendly power The question in dis
pute is altogether too insignificant to
raise even spectre of war between two
great friendly nations. The Presi-
dents action Is not only blunder, but
If pursued to its legitimate end as pro-
posed in his message, it would be the
crime Of the century, second only to
the firing upon Fort Sumter. l believe
that the sober, second thought even of
tho politicians will compel them to
retract their warike speeches. and that
the good sense of the American people
will in short time assert itself and
cover the war promoters with confu-
sion. Besides, the historical incidents
connected with this question, in my
Judgment, are against the position of
the President, oven iT we concede the
application of the Monroe message in
certain cases. 3"
George g. Williams, president of the
Chemical National Bank, said: ~
think the message is wicked. In my
opinion Mr.. Cleveland has gone too
far; he is too pronounced in his mes
sage. To throw down the gauntlet to a
great and proud nation like England
until the necessity for SO doing is actu-
ally forced upon us is, think, wicked
in tho extreme. | believe the country
will uphold the Monroe doctrine pure
and simple if the necessity arises but
We want to be very careful how we up-
hold those South American republics
in their claims which may Or may not
be founded upon right. Our people do
not fully consider the consequences Of
war. 1t would not be a great march
to triumph only, We should have 10
calculate on receiving many hard
blows as well as giving them. We
should have to suffer Il great
many defeats as well as gaining some
victories. 1t seems to me that war
with England would be tho greatest
calamity that could befall mankind
Frederick d. Tappen, president of
the Gallatin National Bank, said: 81
am entirely opposed to the position as
sumed by President Cleveland in this
matter. His action think is most i'll
advised "
j Edward Simmons, president Of tho
Fourth National Bank, said: "Of
course | am opposed TO the position as.
sumed by the President in this matter.
lie has been prccipitate Furthermore,
IN my opinion the Monroe doctrine does
not apply TO this case. Tho question
IN dispute antedates tho M0nroe mos.
sage, and there is nothing in the Mon
roe doctrine which requires the inter-
ference Of the United States il the dis.
pute between Venezuela and Great
Britain: and the course suggested or
Threatened by the President in his
message would If carried out be vio-
latiou Of the true doctrine enunciatod
by Monroe, "
These are the views of business men
OF brains, sagacity and great expert
ence. kesido their uttorances tho crazy
howls Of lingo statesmen are not worthy
Of an instant's consideration.
wall street opinion, we are further
informed by news from that great iinan-
cial centre, regrets the stand taken by
the President, aud expresses disgust
over the whole business. General
Samuel Thomas, who is well informed
onWall street sentiment, said he thought
that in about twenty-four hours moro
the people generally would begin TO
regard the Presidents message as a
stupendous Joke of a very sorry char.
acter.
One effect Of the Presidents messa-n.
II ia said, was tho cancclling Of orders
in all brokers' Offices with foreign con.
neetions 10 buy American securities.
Orders for large amounts Of stocks and
bonds were there, but directly the mos,
sage was sent in orders came by cable
from abroad caneelling all such orders
This is but an indication of tho follv
that even the suggestion of foreign
war brings in its train. How terribly
disastrous actual hostilities would
prove can readily be imagined. We
want no war. We will have none.
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