The record-union., 1897-09-24

at first; indeed, no matter what the
outcome the United States would suffer.
and The national debt would be greatly
increased. But after time the Ameri-
can nation would meet Spain upon the
| ocean as a superior. We would pres
entity be able to put upon the high
seas very large fleets of reserve and
specially commissioned swift ships that
would infest the coast of Spain and
place her fleets upon our own shores
| in a perilous position.
We would be able to resist success
fully any attempt of the. Spanish to
land upuon our shores; indeed it is not
likely that they would attempt any
such proceeding with a large force,
though short incnrsions by small bodies
might be made. Spain could not main
tain a war against us for any consider
nor could she hope for European aid
except some possible comfort from Aus
tria
We should win in the end and Span
a result. From her present position
the Spanish state would sink into COM
pararive insignificance. Cuba would be
lost to her and possibly most of her
be condemned to pay indemnity that
would cripple her finances for a half
century or more.
As 10 the United States, war, even
| though victory perches on our ban
ners, can be looked upon only as a
most unhappy and deplorable condi-
tion We would be sadly hurt, and
recovery would be long and painful
The restoration of our merchant ma
rine would be still further delayed, our
debt increased. our commerce inter
rupted, and blood and treasure would
be sacrificed. War means the killing
of human beings, the destruction of
towns and cities, the closing of ports,
the making of orphans and widows, the
augmentation of the pension rolls, the
| depression of shipping interests-in-
deed it is scarcely possible to over
state the dire results of war.
! But what are the compensations of
war with Spain? 1t would suspend
local conflicts that are very disturbing.
1t would probably rekindle the spirit
Of patriotism, and unite elements of
our society that are drifting apart 1t
would, with victory, give our nation a
! far more important and commanding
position among the powers of earth.
1t would result in securing for our citi-
zens abroad that greater need Of pro-
lection they need, and higher regard
! for their rights on the part of foreign
states.
! 1t would secure for US a free and in
/ dependent neighber in Cuba, instead of
dependent, crippled and pitiful crea-
1 ture at our gates. 1t would probably
result in driving the Spanish flag out of
the hemisphere, and in dispossessing
| Spain of any lands to which she lays
claim on this side the great waters.
The war would call for great expendi-
! ture, and, hence, for large industrial
activity along several important lines,
but il would be mainly confined to coast
sections, though reflected to some ex-
| tent in interior parts. The war would
| demonstrate for us the effectiveness of
the new navy, and result in the adop-
ton of new policy regarding coast
deferses, and lead to their immediate
construction over a vast coast terri
tory.
1t would qualify a large body of men
for naval service, whereas we have now
cient men to man our ships of war. II
would give needed experience to our
naval officers and blue Jackets, and il
would teach the world that we are not
a nation of blusterers, but are capable
of maintaining national integrity and a
righ.fuI place of Importance among the
powers of the world.
1t would very greatly augment oui
influence among the Latin States of this
hemisphere and render us more cap
able of aiding them in the maintenance
| of stable governments. 1t would al
once and forever wipe out the last pos
sible lingering hope of Kings and
Princes, empires and monarchies OF
obtaining any foothold upon any Of the
| American continents. It would crys-
talize sentiment regarding our foreign
policies and command for US a new
place in the council of the nations OF
earth. Tt would free a neighboring peo-
ple who have the right to be independ-
ent. and who have been ground to dust
beneath the Spanish heel. 1t woulo
again write down the American nation
in the annals of earth as the friend oi
mankind. the hope of the oppressed
the liberator of slaves and the cham
pion of the right Of peoples to be self
governing.
A vessel is now due at San Francisco
which brings from a foreign land te
California no less than S4,OOOO00 to
nav for wheat shipped to this date from
san Francisco to England. Just
month earlier another steamship