The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-03-01
Sentiment Aroused at Last.

Writes Rev. DR.. Mcconnell in the
Outlook:
Almost in sight of the fair Southern
gate of the republic lies desolated Cuba.
The moral sense of Christendom is out
ragged. and its heart is sore when 1t
looks that way. Confusion, cruelty, an
arChy, devastation are ut work and nave
been all these years at our very door.
Whose place is it to speak the word
which could end it all? Clearly ours.
Why is it not spoken? Does diplomatic
courtesy seal our lips? Does the red tape
of precedent tie our hands? Who does
not know that these would be swept
away like spider webs If we cared to
act? What hinders? A sentimental love
of peace? No. Cowardice? A thousand
times no.. What then? Simply an unwor-
thy shrinking from the possible cost Of
war. We are comfortable, decently
dressed and going about our own busi-
ness. What is 1t to us If we pass two
men hewing at each other by our path?
Let us hasten, or We Will be late al our
offices! No lust of war, but lust of money,
is our fault. The nation which wantonly
takes up the sword shall perish by the
sword. This has been proven again and
again. But the nation which timidly puts
its hands in its pockets when God offers
it q sword to do His will perishes as
surely.
Another person, evidently clergy
man, writes to the Philadelphia Rec
ord:
l am eternally disgraced by my citi-
zenship in country which stands before
the world as the herald and champion of
liberty, yet will lift no strong hand
against wrong SO close to our own doors
that we cannot escape the degradation
of witnesses to the soul-scorching hor-
ror, even though we take refuge in
cowardly denial of responsibility There
is some fire where so much smoke arises.
The world has grown to be almost fit to
live in-in spots-not by the exercise of
cautious diplomacy and reference of
conduct to the rules of safety to skin and
pocketbook, but by courage and sympathy
and appeals to the everlasting law of
right. Naked will we be before the
storm that must come If we allow con-
science to become corrupted by injus-
tice such as now cries out to us. Not
to us as individuals alone but as nations
also was the warning spoken: Depart,
ye aCcursed; for I was naked and We
clothed me not, sick and in prison and We
came not unto me-" There is a feeling
not groundless that our political leaders
are timd If not enslaved. If there is
power that we can depend on it is the
power of the press. In Gods name, cry
aloud and spare not!
These are merely samples of the ex-
pressions of opinion now current among
the better class of American citizens
outside Of the precincts of the white
house and the state department. At
no time since the trouble in Cuba as
sumed threatening proportions has edu-
Gated American sentiment reached a
higher pitch of sympathy for the Gu
bans in revolt or of more indignant
contempt for their Spanish oppressors.
But above all this is the feeling, too
we'll confirmed, that our government
has failed to assert the majesty of
American citizenship and has lent it's
good offices to strengthen the most odi-
Gus cause on earth. This sentiment is
something that the new president will
not dare to ignore. A change in our
policy is clearly nigh, whether it be
now intended or not