The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-08-28
THE WAR AS A PUBLIC BLESSING

n LII the world has by this time recognized that
I \ our war with Spain has resulted in beneht to
humanity. Even the Spaniards themselves
doubtless perceive in their lucid intervals distinct
profit in getting rid of colonies that were source OF
corruption in their politics and the cause OF wars that
entaed heavy taxation upon their people AS lor the
other nations of Europe they so well aware OF the
benefits growing of victories and conquests
that they are devisng ways and means OF gett1ng
share of them and getting it early.
There is then no question of the good resulting from
the war as affects the larger desnies OF mankind
and the development of industry and commerce These
larger issues however, by no means INCLUDE all the
benefits flowing from the victories we have achieved
There are of minor nature OF sufhcient import
ance to attract attention and merit notice Two OF
these are reported from New York. and may be cited
as examples of the whole group.
The first is the development OF genuine patr1ousm
in class of people who have been in the past more or
less indifferent to their duties to the nation Colonel
John Jacob Aston, it appears affords striking illus
tration of this 1t is reported that while serving in
the army he saw the need Of the Government for
money. and learned by companionship with his COM
rades in the field how hard is the struggle tor exist
ence among large proportion OF his tellow-citlzens
He thereupon determined that hereafter he would pay
the full measure of taxes upon his estate, and since his
return home has ordered his agents to go over the list
of his holdings properly appraise them and make
return which it is said will result in largely increasing
his taxes
A more curious benefit is reported by New York
physician who asserts thatsa large number OF persons
who would have died during the depressing heat OF
the summer under ordinary conditions, managed TO
gain strength and live by OF the animation with
which they were inspired by the outbreak OF war and
the glorious victories that followed Patriotic ardor
was the medicine that reused them and bore them
safely through the crisis of disease According to this
authority more people we're saved by the war than
were killed in its battles and valizer and health
Dreserver the hundred days OF hostitles were more
efficacious than any nerve tonic on the market
A question whether it was worth while to go to war
TO attain these minor benefits is not pertinent to the
issue OF course would not be expedient as gene
raj rule TO whip foreign nation every time we wished
to make an Aston pay his taxes, to call out 2oo
600 volunteers and set all the brass bands OF the coun
trv DIaying patriotic for the purpose OF brac1ng
I'D the lanerid irvalids of the swelterlng East 1t
would be cheaper to let the big man dodge taxes
as usual and to help the sick by sending them to
snend the summer in California where the air is al
WAYS inyiqorating and where, according to Edison,
the waters endow the human liver with so much vi
tatv that after death of the the liver has to be
killed with a club.
Nevertheless these minor benefits worth adding
70 the sum total OF what has been gained by our
"oleasantness" with Spain. A thrill of life spirit
nal and physical has been felt in New York, and in
the rest of the country as we'll Let therefore re-
oce and cheer ourselves on this delightful day of rest
by ndulgng the hope that these good effects will be
as lasting as those produced in the world OF politics
and government