The herald., 1897-05-21
POPULAR IMPATIENCE AND
DISGUST

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II Mr.. Mckinley desires that his ad-
ministration shall be successful he would
better act in accord with the sympathies
and demands of the great heart of the
American people. No administration can
ular approval. On one theory of govern
ment such approval is the best evidence
that an administration is patriotic and
just. Mr.. Cleveland will go into history
presidents, and no slight cause of 1t was
his treatment of the Cuban question.
Mr.. Mckinley will be wise if he departs
from the Cleveland policy and pays due
respect to popular sentiment.
! Every president has failed in promot-
! ing the welfare of the country and in
achieving high reputation who attempt
ed to make his personal government or
to found personal party. The people
will tolerate partisanism to a certain Ak
tent, but they will not submit to trifling
with question that involves the inter-
ests of liberty and humanity That is
just what Mr.. Cleveland did, and up to
this time Mr.. Mckinley has followed in
his footsteps. Spanish tyranny and bar
barity have been displayed for centuries,
more especially in regard to dependen-
cies. and the people of the United States
demand that Spanish domination shall
be expelled from the western hemis-
phere. An intelligent and observant pres
ident need not be ignorant of the trend
of public sentiment, for it is manifested
in a hundred ways, and it was never more
unmistakable than in regard to the
Cuban question.
The friends of Mckinley continually
predict that he is about to act decisively
in behalf of the Cuban patriots. He may
delay so long that whatever he may do
will be of no service to the Cubans, AMI
for which they will not have cause for
feeling obliged. Lord Chesterfield re-
fused his patronage to DR.. Samuel John
son at the beginning of his literary
cessful his lordship preferred his patron
age, which the doctor declined. and said
Had it been early it had been kind" So
it may be with regard to any favora BILE
ident Mckinley.
Three of the senators actively espousc
the cause of Spain. They are Hale of
Maine, Hoar of Massachusetts, and Haw-
ley Of Connecticut, all from New Eng
land. The position of Hawley is humil-
iating. He opposes doing anything for
the Cubans because he fears it will in
volve us in war with Spain, which, OH
account Of our defenseless coast, will
result in great damage. When will we
have coast defenses such as Senator
Hawley thinks we should have before
we can defend ourselves? According TO
the estimates of the military authori-
ties they will cost $10O, 900 900, and it will
take several years to construct them.
Shall we fail to do our duty to oppressed
and struggling patriots, stand by and
witness atrocities committed and Ameri-
can interests sacrificed, without lifting q
finger to prevent the one or to defend
the other? Let it be understood that we
will submit to anything rather than go
to war. and every nation, great or small,
which has navy, even of inconsiderable
magnitude, will insult and attack us.
The city of Sparta was not walled, and it
was her pride and boast that for defense
reliance was placed on the brave hearts
and strong arms of her citizens.
The civilized nations are waiting for
us to take the initiative in recognizing
belligerency. as we are the nearest and
most interesting nation. Non-action will
not be sustained as party policy, for
when a great principle, such as is 10
volved in the Cuban question, is a stake
discipline will not hold the presidents
party together. Any attempt to hold
Republicans in party lines on such pol
icy will be most signal failure. The
body of the American people are impa
tent for prompt and effective action,
and are disgusted with delay. We are
already suffering from the contempt Of
liberty loving people.