The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-03-25
The Probabilities Favor War.

The president and his official advls-
ers are to be commended for their pru-
dence in seeking by all honorable means
10 avert the necessity of going to war
with Spain. Their course thus far has
received not only the approval of the
best opinion i'm the United States but
also that of the civilized world. 1t
will be to our highest interests as
nation to so govern our future action
as to retain this moral sympathy. Its
retention would constitute a far finer
victory for republican government
than any which we could expect to
win by jumping with our immensely
superior strength upon ignorant and
wasted Spain. That sentiment in this
country which urges war for wars
sake: which hungers for a scrap as the
western desperate when in a belliger-
ent mood electioneers for trouble. is
not representative and is utterly dis
creditable. 1t does not reflect the con-
trolling opinion of the American people.
The intelligent and God-fearing
masses in this republic abhor war.
They know what war costs: what it
costs in money. in the disruption of
business. in the rude interruption of
social amenities, in pain and suffering
and anguish. They know that war is
brutal and necessarily brutalizing: that
IT is the dearest price which a Chris
tian people can pay for righteousness
They will approve Of it only when it
cannot without dshonor be longer
avoided. Therefore they applaud and
sustain their chief executive in his
resolute endeavOr to answer the call of
humanity and justice in Cuba without
bloodshed If possible. Though their
patience has been stretched almost to
the bursting; though their conscience
tells them solemnly that this call of
the starving thousands must not longer
pass unheeded, yet in view of the
awfulness of war they will stand by
President Mckinley while he makes his
last and supreme attempt to free Cuba
by moral suasion.
At the same time, their judgment
tells them that this noble effort is fore
doomed to failure. 1t does not seem
possible that Spain, after the unex-
ampled atrocities which she has COM
mtted in Cuba, will be permitted by
Just Providence to escape from the
retributive consequences of her infamy
upon terms so moderate. If ever the
history OF nations supplied an instance
calling for the wrath of an inspired
avenger it is here; and if ever pride
and blindness presaged a nations de-
struction it, also, is here. Whether we
view this matter in the light of the
philosophy of history or weigh simply
the matter-of-fact circumstances Of the
immediate situation ii seems to US that
the probabilities point uncrrlngly to
war, That a nation which, in sheer
cruelty. deliberately condemned one
third Of her colonial subjects to assass-
ination by concentration will now lister
to the voice of reason or step back
peacefully as our government moves
forward on its contemplated errand OF
mercy is possible but most improbable
The logical result of Spanish Vindict
iveness, humiliation and chagrin is the
dastards blow which, once strucl
under present conditions. will bring or
instantaneous and ferocious " ar.
We admit that this has not always
been our view; but from the ripeneC
situation we can deducc no other con
clusion. And what a war it will be;
war in which every drop of American
blood that is shed will be sanctifed b,
the prayers and tears Of Christendom
war in which the angels in HEAVIER
flag!