The San Francisco call., 1896-11-29
HART AROUSED.
His Martial Spirit and Patriotism
Expressed With the Ardor


spirit of liberty was aroused when he read
the editorial IN the Bulletin of Friday
evening which called him to task for be-
ing party to the proposed use of dyna-
mite for the purpose of destroying
Havana. The article in question reads as
follows:
A man of former prominence In this state is
announced through paper OF standing as the
agent or attorney of man who proposes to
destroy the city OF Havana with dynamite.
In apparent Inconsistencies OF the horror
with which dynamite plots are regarded IN all
parts of the civilized world this degenerate
invites a subscription of $40. 100000 to fur
nish the means by which rich, populous and
beautiful city may be destroyed
At a time when the world is devising ways
TO prevent wars with their inevitable conse-
quences, this man. whom the people once
honored with their votes for high office,
plans scheme by which the horrors OF war
may be increased hundred fold. Whether or
not the plan is practicable does not mat
ter. 1t tends to familiarize the public mind
with methods of destruction that have been
considered too horrible to contemplate. As
sassination is playful manifestation of hate
compared to this plan of wholesale murder.
And all for what? 1t is not proposed to do
evil that good may come of it. 1t is not pro-
hope to promote a righteous cause
The assassins of tyrants have been in darker
periods represented as acting under de-
fusion that robbed assassination of its infamy.
But this California lawyer, this man who was
at one time the head of the Department of
Justice for this great State, now proposes to
make murder speculation. For sum OF
money he proposes to destroy the capital city
of the most populous island In the West
&c 10 10 vift fta.t
seeming sense of its monstrosity. 1t is dis
cussed with the same disregard of moral sense
the hired brayado exhibits when asked to
name his price for murder.
II is no wonder that an eminent clergyman
said in his Thanksgiving discourse that Cali
fornia is noted for the startling irreguiarity
with which society advances. If this eminent
clergyman had seriously considered the dyna-
mite proposition ne might have added that
California is noted also for the startling
irreguiarity with which civilization leaps
backward into the dark ages. The fact that a
proposition of this nature could be placed be-
fore the people OF this State is reflection upon
our civilization. The least measure of punish
ment that could be anticipated from a SELF
respecting community would be protest that
would make the State impossible place of
residence both for the originator OF the in
famous proposition and for the agents of dis
semination.
That law and journalism should have COM
bined to make the destruction of great cities
Legitimate speculation is much to be re-
gretted. 1t is the province of law to teach
how evils may be remedied through the exer-
else of reason. 1t is The province of journal
ism TO show how society NAV lawfully protect
itself from all kinds of despersdoes aud an
archists. But in this case a lawyer uses
newspaper to familiartze the public mind
with scheme that an average jailbird could
not contem plate without horror.
The day for the PRONUNCIATION of this project
was badly chosen. 1t was a day when peace
and good will were being invoked in public
meetings and private residences. The churches
were open that the people might be taught the
blessing of peace and charity. In pubic halls
all through the city the poor were invited to
partake of the cheer of the season. On such q
day the conscience OF the people was startled
by proposition to wipe a great city off the
face of the earth in consideration of the sum of
1000, 900.
Com menting thereon yesterday he said:
"My attention has been called to tie
editorial in the Bulletin of last night All
1 have got to say in reference to it is that
the destruction OF Havana by dynamite is
not half as horrible as the press dispatches
OF the buscheries of Cubans by the Span
ish authorities.
''Of course, in the event that Havana
was to be attacked by the airship with
dynamite sufficient time would be given
for non-com batants to leave the city.
"The apathy shown by the Government
of the United States in extending bellige-
rent rights to the Cubans, in view of the
atrocities of the Spaniards toward the
Cupans aad American citizens, is such
~ l. ~ al
genius OF American invention should dis
cover means whereby justice can be
done to those heroes who are fighting for
independence against the oIigarchy of
SPAIN"
For my part, I consider it far more
noble to aid struggling people
like the Cubans, who are trying to free
themselves from the expressions of Spain,
even though by dynamite, than to be s-
lent and say nothing and practically wink
at the atrocities shown the Cubans by the
Spanish authorities.
I'm the event that it should become ne.
cessary to capture Havana, either with
artillery or dynamite, IL would no doubt
be horrible for those who are located in
that city. But at the same time if it is
necessary to destroy Havana in ORDER that
the Cubans may gain their liberty Ha-
vana will be destroyed. And, notwith-
standing the Bulletin. predict that within
ninety days Havana will be destroyed un-
less it surrenders to the Cuban forces.
"It appears that the Bulletin Is greatly
afraid of dynamite. yet we all know that
the Government of the United States has
been experimenting with dynamite guns
for months, and, in fact, they have reached
such point of perfection that it is pro-
posed to use it in guns. for harbor defenses
In the United States.
"Does the editor of the Bulletin think it
is proper for the United States to throw
few hundred pounds of dynamite at some
foreign vessel and sink her or blow her up
and kill or MAIN those on board, and that
such an act is not proper for the Cubans,
who are fighting for liberty? We would
simply be trying to keepa vessel out of one
oil our harbors, while the people of Cuba
are hghting for the most precious boon of
mankind. / submit that il WOuld be more