New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-14
ROyCOTT THE SPANISH ONION.

ROYCOTT TIE SPANISH ONION.
Iot ne not deceive ourselves as to the real
moaning of the great debates In the Senate. III
tho course Of which two first cousins OF tevoiu-
tiororv stock stood each other off with sarcasms
that amused the galleries; nor as TO the aetuai
significance Of the mobs in Madrid and Bar
colon, which burned the American flag ana
threw stones mt the American Cons'llates; nor
on the other hand, Of the demonstrations OF vlo-
Icnce on the part OF the students OF various col
LAGOS IN This country who have during the last
few weeks been destroying the Spanish mon
orchv by burning In ettigy the present youthful
wcorar of that rather uncomfortable crown
Nome Of these things will free Cuba. Something
much more practical must be done. What shall
II he? Let us observe our limitations we can
NOT make war on Spain out Of hand, In town
meeting fashion. There would have TO be much
talking about 1t in Congress first, and by the
time that body got through talking about IL. ana
President Cleveland and Secretary Olney had
come to an agreement as to the policy or the Al
mnistration- the Spanish monarchy would
be dead Of hamilton and there would be nothing
left TO fight about No; II we are to free Cuba
we must begin n war upon Spain right oh-wi'h
ont preliminares, In our primal capacity as
American citizens.
And how? Why does any one who knows the
means by which Ireland has become free ana
indenendcnt ask how? BY the boycott, of
course And what Is there upon which we can
pronounce boycott. and thereby Immediately
thrust into the vltals of the Spanish monarchy
q large, bevel-edged. sharp-pointed. homemade
bowic-knife? What but the Spanish onion.
This step has already been taken In loungs-
town. Ohio In that liberty loving town there
was a banquet the other day given by minis
tcrial association. 1t was ut a time when many
very eminent persons were destroying the span
ish monarchy and freeing Cuba by word OF
mouth Among the side dishes 10 one or the
courses It was noticed that Spanish onions were
TO be served The spirit Of liberty was at once
aroused On motion. 1t was resolved that in
view OF the general behavior Of the Spanish
monarchy In the present Cuban crisis the Span
ish onions should not be eaten. They were, ac-
corlngly. set aside The brief Geographic re-
port gives no information as to what became OF
them Doubtless they went In disgrace into the
mex. days soup II Is enough TO know that the
Youngstown Ministerial Association In their
love OF liberty rose above their love Of onions
and gave Spain distinctly TO understand that
until II grants liberty 10 cuba 1t cannot furnish
that association with onions. II was resolutcly
done. and ought not to be without ultimate good
results in bringing Spain 10 her senses.
This is long step in the right direction. For
IL Is doubtless true that Of all tho weapons OF
war now in use In the Spanish Army and Navy
no one Il more destructive ihan the large ana
pungcnt onion TO which the peninsula has given
n name Within the memory Of men now living
II has. when brought home late N night accom-
panied with n mild dccoc'ion Of Medford rum.
broken up domestic circles and devastated fire
sides The breath Of pestcnce Is altar of roses
compared with H. 1t Is quite possible that II
two or three Of the opponents Of the belligerency
resolutions recently under discussion In the Sen
ate had be,hought themselves To take Few
drops Of the Senate restaurant cold tea with
a Spanish onion or two they could have driven
ont all opposition Indeed. there Is no manner
Of doubt that II Senator Morgan. Of Alabama.
had 80 armed himself. in addition 10 his deadly
cOpo,lsncss OF speech. he could have turned The
Spanlsll onion upon the Spanish monarchy IL
self and-lf he could have held Il quorum
Dosscd through the Senate declaration or war
against Spain.
II may be said Of course. that the Wethers
field Comm onion, though smaller in size Is no
less offensive rs a weapon Of war than tho
| vegetable which derives It's name from the worn
ont monarchy which IS just now depressing
| Cuba And It is barely possible, though no
where recorded as n historic fact even by the
| veracious parson Peters. that II was used ny
the early settlers Of Connecticut for that pur-
pose Even II it was. there was some excuse for
| II. as the Indicns with whom they were chiefly
NJ war had TO DO met with their own weapons.
| which were not those II civllizcL warfare. Now
| adays the Wcthrrsfed onion is not served as a
side dish TO ministers. but Is eaten In absolute
sccuslon The Spanish onion. on the contrary,
| is large conspicuous and offensive, and when
| served as Il side dish dsturbs the peace.
| SPANISH fleet coming up the Bay with crews
| fulfilled with Spanish onions wouldn't need to
fire a gum The very scent Of them would drive
| the whole population OF this island beyond the
| Harlem The Youngstown association did well
70 boycott the Spanish onion. We wait with
| some interest to see how 1t VIII affect Spain