The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-03-25
COWARDY-CALVES.

The United States senate has sent the
Cuban resolution on another route %
its hard circuitous journey. 1t Is DIFF
ficult TO tell whether we will hear an!
more in regard TO it or not.
Congress appears 10 have been fright
ened by a few members who have beef
depicting the terrOrs of war, in ease
Spain should tackle the United States
Senator Chiffon the other day pro
mulgated this murmur:
What Will the American people gail
by war with Spain: What will the
great cause of civilization and hu-
manly gain? The first signal OF armed
conflict will summon congress TO re-
main IN session. More revenue would
be needed, bonds would be authorized,
all existing political issues would be
instantly swept to the rear in uni
versal roar of national excitement.
The question would be TO get money,
and get it quickly; and trust TO the
future to provide a way of paying out
Our bonds or our customs duties-per-
haps both-would be made payable in
gold. Senators may say no, but tell
me what became OF the anti-tariff
people; what became of the anti-bond
people; what became of those who OPP
posed national banks when the last
war came on? They quickly dropped
into a helpless minority, and IL be
30 lie
greenbacks, anything to wage the war
TO success. And those expedients Of
war necessity are today the very things
which perplex our councils and rest
like a brake-beam upon the progress
of the American people.
feel sure If the United States made
armed intervention In Cuba We would
finally work our Will, but do not be-
Heve we could do so without malig-
nant war. 1t would be contest or
many months-possibly years. When
we had organized our fleets and mus
tered our armies-when we had driven
the Spanish navy out of American
waters and had overrun Cuba with our
eonquering banners, We might be so
bered by the taste of carnage, but
we could not then stop TO count the
cost. 1t would be represented by dis
ordered business at home, by the stop
page of the transportation of our cot
ton and other products to Europe, by
many millions of dollars OF expendi-
ture, by taxes rising higher and still
higher, and by thousands and thou
sands Of brave Americans sacrificed to
the Joint destruction of feveFs and
bullets in the West Indies
But that, even, would not bring the
end. When the Spanish people had
lost possession of Cuba our position
would hardly be improved. We would
have torn away their afflicted colony,
but their prlvateers would still swarm
the sea and. like new Alsbamas. would
ravage American commerce through
out the world. TIE stop this scogrss
we would be forced 10 hunt Spain upon
the mainland of Europe. Who can
reckon the expenditure OF agony and
treasure which such a project would
involve2 Who could measure the des-
perate resolution of even feeble peo-
pie when fighting at the doors of their
own honest When war once began
our pride would then be truly involved.
We would then have a real reason 10
animate American patriotism. There
would be no differences at home when
the prestige OF our devoted country
proved to be at stake, and the last man
and the last dollar would be offered IL
necessary 10 close the war In triumph.
We are too strong not TO prevail in the
end. but when we contemplate that
end, who can find charms IN fits out
line? Helpless orphans and desolate
wives, the wounded in every hamlet
the growth of military methods N our
government, the Generalization OF use
full men, the corruption OF politics,
and finally and most fearfully, because
it always endures after the other evils
of war have yielded to the influence OF
g. few years of natures quiet, the COM
mon people of this country would drag
The ball and chain Of an immense bond
ed debt for fifty years after q victor
tous peace. Others may justify them
selves in driving this great American
ship boldly upon hidden rocks, but 1
have seen enough as boy and man n
the thirty years which have passed
from 1865 TO 1896 TO teach me TO look
upon war as the chief destroyer of the
chances OF the humble and the hard
working.
OF course this Is all very fine. Gun
should not be recognized because
might involve us in war with SPAN
The same voice was raised against II
tervention in the Venezuelan matter
That too might have involved Us Wit
war with England. But il didn't
There are many milk-sops In IN
United States senate. They are atrai
of their shadows, let alone a nauoI
even so lettering a cripple as decrepI
Spain.
1t is the business OF congress TO Re
cognize the belligeTency OF the Cuba
insurgents, and then If Spain wants
fight. we will accommodate her. Bu
Spain Will not want 10 fight She Ia
already more fight on her hands tina
she can manage.
WORD WITH WOMEN.