The record-union., 1898-03-27

There can be no mistaking the tenn
per Of the American people at this
hour. Unquestionably we stand in the
midst Of a critical time. While the
Administration hesitates to make de-
mands upon Spain which the great
mass Of the people wish presented at
once, and while the President hopes
to avoid war and postpones action,
women and children, innocent victims
Of the most brutal order ever known in
the annals of warfare. are dying by the
score each hour in the cutters of Gu
ban towns.
The American people are becoming
more and more restless, until many are
beginning to doubt the wisdom OF
President Mckinley in delaying the
presentation of the humane demands,
namely, insistence upon the immedi-
ate stoppage Of the barbarities, the alb
solute and unconditional repeal of the
Weyler order of concentration, and the
immediate relief of the starving non
combatants at the cost OF Spain, even
If we have to make the advance of sup
plies
The people are fully conscious of the
undesirability of war, acutely sensible
Of just what war means and its enor-
nous cost of treasure and blood; but
they are likewise as deeply impressed
with the responsibility resting upon
this nation to put an end to Cuban
misery, and TO exact of both contest
ants on the fated isle conduct of hos
tilities according to humane methods
Of warfare
The prudent, calm thinking people of
the United States do not want war
with Spain or any other nation, except
the necessity for it is overmastering.
The better belief is that war will not
take place, that Spain will yield to
our demands when once presented
since they are reasonable and humane
But they must be made firmly, without
delay and with the courage that the
conviction Of right always gives. It is
not to provoke war that the people are
becoming imperative in their demand
upon the Government to humanely in
tervene to compel the combatants to
conduct their contest upon lines that
will not offend the humane sensibilities
Of the civilized world. It is telegraph
ed to the New York Tribune" that
the head of the insurgent army ex-
presses, over hts own signature, the
wish that Spain and the United States
shall not make war upon one another.
He believes he can conquer a peace, or
at the worst, buy it, since the belief OBJ
tains among the insurgents that Spain
Is ready to compromise upon a cash
basis for the independence of the ISL
and
Nevertheless, we fear, If there is
much longer delay on the part of the
Administra ton to respond to the COM
monest demands Of humanity, bring
the barbalities in Cuba to a close and
apply remedies to relieve immediate
suffering among the innocent, thai
there will develop an ugly disposition
within our own borders, that will feed
the flames of discomfort and give ex-
cuse for blantant disturbers and loud
mouthed demagogues TO stir up trouble
that will be a more serious menace
to peace than the Cuban question
In fact there are multiplying evil
dences on all sides that the people are
1rritated and impatient, and are COM
ing around to the belief that the Ad-
ministration is hampered, consciously OF
not. by influences in financial centers
which would suffer something of direct
loss, and of opportunity TO speculate
in American securities, in case we
should become involved in a war with
Spain
The people of the United States have
nothing to gain by a war with the
Spanish nation. No matter what it:
outcome, such a conflict would be hor-
rid and plunge the nations into mourn.
ing and debt, paralyze commerce, stag.
nate business and enrich the few at tbs
expense Of the blood and the sorrow.
of the many. We have no patience
with those who clamor for war out O.