The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-04-06
THE SUPREME DUTY"
The New York Herald on the Situa
tion and the Message-Hu-
manity Now.

manity Now.
''The latest news from Washington
is to the effect that the President be-
lieves that so far as Spain is concerned
] the period Of forbearanee intimated by
President Cleveland in the well known
despatch Of Secretary Oiney has ended
The United States having observed
and enforced non-intervention in Gu
ban affairs feels that, having exhausted
the amenities Of neutrality, we must
listen to the mandate of humanity.
"Tne fidelity OF our government in
international duty is of record. Offend
ers against neutrality are in prison.
OR ships patrol the seas to arrest the
laSless ventures. We stand before the
world with clean hands-patient, loyal,
peace loving in our relations with Spain.
Whatever may come out Of this new
policy of active humanity will meet
with the commendation of mankind
'The resolution Of the President is
master stroke. Diplomacy has been
seduIous aud eager and patriotic. But
diplomacy has done its work. The
conscience Of the country is profoundly
stirred by these revelations in the SEN
ate. Tnere is but one voice n0w-the
voice Of humanity. There is time
for deliberation, persuasion, compro-
mise. There is likewise time for ac-
ton. II has arrived.
America can no longer be deaf to
the entreaties of the sufferers in Cuba.
II is not war, nor insurrection, nor sub
jugation, but humanity. Nor can
Spain keep her place among the ma
tiOns and resist movement Of benefi-
cence. This would be to place herself
outside of the pale of civilization to
slip back from the Christianity CT Isa-
bella to tile ruthless policy of the
NIoOrs
eve propose 10 feed the starving wo-
men and children, and, it may be, put
an emo to the processes by which star
vation is engendered. Should Spain
oppose this, should she resist the land
ing of provisions for the succor Of Wey-
ler's peasant victims, whose sufferings
are certified by cloud of witnesses,
she must accept the sinister response
bility.
"Should American ships approach
1s.f.
be fired upon it would be casus belli,
quite as much as when Beaureguard
fired upon the Star OF the West as she
was carrying provisions to beleaguer-
ed fort The guns of Beauregard made
war Inevitable; the guns of Blaneo
would invite a similar consequence.
Spain has no more right to oppose our
sending food to q people she is unable
to protect than England to forbid our
carrying supplies to the starving peas
ants Of Ireland, or Rassia to resist the
landing Of the grain sent three or four
years ago.
1--WE cannot overlook the fear that
even an errand of benevolence would
be resented by Spain as in some way
an affi0nt TO the national honor-an
invasion of her sovereign prerogatives.
We are dealing with proud, imperious
sensitive people, with many sterling
virtues, history of renown, and not
averse TO the chances Of war-the gamb-
H. .t,,,,or q No., - 4 ,,v;,..,
'sWe remember that our efforts in
1861 to relieve the Sumter garrison
were misunderstood by a people as
| proud as the Spaniards, aud with their
own enviable claims to renown. The
war then forced upon US by Beaure-
gard brought what was never intend.
ed-;he emancipation of the slave,
And while our proposed mission to
Cuba would be an act OF charity,
among its contingencies may be Cuban
independence and the passing of the
Spanish flag from the American con-
tineut.
THAT rests in the hands OF Spain,
just as in 1861 the consequences of the
Sumter business fell upon slavery and
the South. The duty is with Us The
finality concerns Spain. We have an
swered every call of neutrality. Now
let humanity have tongue.
"Happi y, We have only to read the
stirring news from Washington t.
know that the government is making
every preparation. We are ready
With passionate longing for peace. il
must be the peace CT honor satisfied
humanity appeased, justice assured
The President will send the supplies
They should go in merchant vessels
but under naval convoy, so tbatif firec
upon they will not retreat, like th'
Star OF the West, under an enemy'i
fire, but advance, with the guns o
their country in support. Should Spain
in an angry Outburst, deem our human
ity an act of war, we shall at least hay'
me our duty, AMI, whatever the out
come, We shall hold the respect ant
moral support of the world.
"Peace or war rests with Spain. Ou
duty is immediate and clear. Every
contingency has been well considered
and every Differences paid to the suscep
tibilities of Spain. The President ha.
the nations confidence. Let him Dc
his humane work. He will be follow
ed with devotion and unanimity no
even accorded to Lincoln
II feel it my duty to give you truth