New-York tribune., 1896-01-07
FROM THE NAIL.
THE DANGEROUS WAR SPIRIT.

A MODERATE TONE IN DEALING WITH THE
vENEzrEIAN QUESTION NECESSARY.
To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sr. The moderate tone OF The Tribune In deal
ing with the Venezuelan question cannot be o'n@'
wise than reassuring TO those who nave 'ooheu
with dsmay upon the war spirit in'oN'u os .e
Presidents message. Is It prejudice or reasonaoie
jealousy OF Engands acqusitiveness that de'a'e'
the ylo,ent Language OF OF our war dogs
..R.,soulb,e jealousy Is justified from the eNper'
ence VI the last 2yI years and ~ coHpdVps "''''
Nat,onas dignity bat "a much cannot pe sa'' vi
prejudice. and there l. abundant reason 10 '"ilA
that prejudice j. back OF the present war taik'
THIS Is the logical inference from the recK.essne's
which considers neither the merits OF the case nor
the consequences Of war with the most powerfui
n ttion in the world time too. wh-n puo'c
sentiment has noi settled upon the preiiminsr!
issues involved.
Bu; this ,s NJ time for prejudice have loose
rein Never In the history OF the country mas
there been greater need OF unprecedented anu con-
serya,ive action than there is to-day, "nen uh-
bridleI spirit might involve US In war the sAe
Of which would be. perhaps. coinmehsurd'e VII"
the limits Of the civilized word. and the results APP
pal.ng to contemplate. The interests OF the sreu'
p,v,rs would naturally enlist them on the sue
of England and would rot b. unreasohao.e 20
.xnsc, ina: the strong bond OF mutual advantage
would link the fortunes OF considerable portion
~ the western hemisphere 10 ours III tne e'e"'
OF a war. The spectacle would be nashher"
the Oh and New Worlds fighting 1t OUTPUT VINO
but a fool could lightly touch the mile 'nA' "ouu
bring about slcl a nightful catastropheE
on the other hand the peace advocates carry
losIng banner Peace any cost never APP
uealcd =, an American heari. AMI never Will frace
DOUGH, with s-lf-rtspec. Is not the American "ay
OF doing business. The United states won.d rA'ne'
70 TO the 'demnl,lon bow-~ows thah oi III '"e
ian of disgrace Peace is essential TO National pros
OF ia fhn y
tonal happiness. ana unless peace can De MAN"
t,iueI consistently with National honor, let war
come with iis train Of awful consequences
ON every hand whore I have traced peace
sentiment. have discovered its origin 10 De
lazy Indifference 10 the countTys honor o"S'"o'
inieres, at sake. or prejudice assh'' r"s sa"'.
Tn, peac- advocates mus; adopt more pS'r'o'e
,..,,s ,,l ,tve evidence OF more 1dn crested
natives before their position be entitled TO any
consideration or respect
In boxing over the country ana feenhs ."e SCI"
eral pulse. cannot refrain from the 'e ~
rfes.ribe little rest. simple diet no meat anu ''e
exercise Of a little common sense prrusa, ., -, w.
Presidents message after such course OF tira,
ment would believe. be a lsr NOR NOR, sta's ~
performance than In the present leVetish In.
rubic opinion. and in anticipation OF suyh 4 '''e
a few suggestions might not De OUT o' p'aS ,o,iv
Granting mat the Monroe Doctrine uoes uPrH. nH,
ana mat /, is part OF International .a" or OF gu,
political creed. what are the chahSes o, ~ nat
must be remembered thai the fiesiue"s ,ionsS nj
declared war. and that congress his no. ,hs,
suplne submission English bullying OF an A"er sni
can state j. not compabe WIN AZ nrsli,ni
nart negotistion and shifting OF feet must De zone
through with before We get me "otu "a srsr nls"e
Commission is be appointed to @ investigate Gss.s
the conflicting claims OF Nentzs"s s ,mnission anI Is
10 report ana this report may De e, ,przu.a ~, fa''
Great britain or g.s 10 N Brtan laaH then our practical
interest ceases but II the claims OF Venezuela are
lAs lAs ,nrn o,1r Broihrr jonathlns dead bodyand
,;reat britain viii think twice before she knocks
'' Ba" i"' dd"s the Monroe Doctrine apply. ana II II
does; have We s9i rshs ~ %p ,He ordinary mind
and have no real doubt that Congress even "hen @
it comes seriously TO consider tne m ien.nden,
mand fui data upon when 10 osse d" "'ep''e"'
opinion -, -. claim. Salisbury
s,vS mai at admitting the justice Of the Monroe
p5ctrine and its applicability to a case where
lon on american soil. it cannot; vita propriety be
said To apply the case OF foreign powsr oshe ~
"ncroa chments OF a neighborlng state; that as 10
- much Of the territory as ss oTse Tnsi.rS H' i s
consen, arbitration bnt tnat al the srrtOry ,,bo,
Inn Wnnro an" pontrlns Bu, Salisbury admits that
stakes ha; defined The schombgrGk & line line :, Now Now
Inc That method OF arl<ins boundary line
Ing OF irritation on venezue.a's part, ana more,
over | cannot bring myself 10 think that such a
concession chara cteristlc Of Great Britain IN
c,se where her rights might be sacrificed. How
ever this il a point when should be discussed ana
settled in that good time coming. when prejudice
shall be- SET aside and reason installed IN rs place
II Is dlfficul, defend every detail OF the Prss-
dant's course It may well be doubted II the clos
INK word. OF his message were chosen with that
foresight and caution which should have charac-
tcrlzrd the chic, Executive In a matter OF grave
imnortance and at a time when an incautious
worI might preciDtaie n panic; but Il Is far more
,rIcut task to defend the course OF Congress. and
the foolish utterances OF rabid British baiters
FOR whom. for all Ct us. ne vial contention
shoulI h., not can we whip Great Britain, but
hoy. we got a right to Try?
New-York. Dec -, 1893 ALLAN ROBINSON.