The Iola register., 1896-03-20
A POEM AND A LETTER.
THE CUBAN QUESTION.

Yes, weer the very glorious Yankee nation;
We have q call to dictate to creation;
We've built few new bsttleships
They'v We fairly made their trial trips.
Swing low.
lingo.
Yes. weer a very warlike generation;
We'd count a little scrimmage recreation;
If we went forth to take the sea
The rest would to the harbors flee.
Swing low,
Jingo
We always want to push the situation;
We like to give the world new sensation
When Venezuela was at stake
And England would not arbitrate-
Swing low;
lingo.
Our edicts need no further confirmation;
We run the western half of this creation;
Our will shall rule two continents;
II any country takes offence
Swing low,
JingO.
As to this little Cuban reservation:
Which takes such stock in freedom speculation.
Well resolute belligerence,
And still we'll keep upon the fence
Swing low,
lingo.
And now the very irate Spanish nation
Has doned her military decoration;
She VOWS she Will pirate be
And chase our commerce from the sea.
swinRlow.
Jiugo.
lola, Kansas. a. Il. II. PicEen.
The REGISTER is glad to reprint
the foregoing poem, which appeared
in d recent issue of the New York
Evening Telegram, not only because
of its intrinsic merit and because of
the interest with which it will be read
in the home OF the author, but also on
account of letter which it called
forth from man who is recognized
on both sides of the Atlantic as an
accomplished writer and literary crit
ic, Mr.. Albert d. Shaw, the American
editor of the Review of Reviews. AL
though a personal letter, it discusses
a public question with much vigor
and directness, and Mrs. Picken kind
ly permits the REGISTER to quote q
few of its most forcible paragraphs.
After alluding in complimentary
way to the poem, which he first saw
in the Telegram, MIR. Shaw says:
If 1 had your gifts would call down the
present whooping spirit of war, the lingo shrek
of our wouldbe statesmen at Washington. In
1776, in the British House of Commons when
our struggle for independence was opening,
English statesmen stood up and thundered
forth brave words in our defense; SO IN 1872 and
so in 1875. But in 1896 ia Washington, when
the trombone tune of Venezuela was played by
Olney. not voice was raised for fair play, Just
judgments and charity in either branch OF
Congress. We seem to be drifting into state
OF frenzy,-a sort Of jingo spasms, over what
little concerns us as an isolated Republic, occu-
pying great stretch of continent in our new
world, distant from old werld weaknesses.
and naturally out of touch with the response
biliiies Of old world governments.
What is the matter with US? Is our Christian
civilization turning toward Christian barbar-
ism? Are the examples and teachings of Christ
turning out delusion In practice, in the clos
ing years of the 10Th century? Even some
Bishops howled for war, few weeks ago-the
echoes. evidently, Of q church military rather
than one militant
Why not follow the wise words OF the Father
of his country. in his farewell address,-take
wise care of our country and let the older gov
eminent hoe their own row?" Why should
we spend millions for wa- ships that live only
ten years and then die. when level-headed
statesmanship and high and strong diplomacy
are equal to the needs of our Nation? Why not
speed commerce in composite ships, cultivate
peace and act Justly, and care for our own In