New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-25
WILL THEY HARDEN THEIR HEARTSi

II does not appear from sacred history that
the Supreme Ruler stopped Furnishing because
sundry people grew obstinate or mulish. The
thought that an American fleet off the coast OF
Spain would only cause greater stubbornness
and hostility among Spaniards is carefully sug-
gested by European organs, and Is said TO have
due attention at Washington. 1t may be said
at the outset that perhaps this is true. Nobody
on earth can tell what an utterly Irrational per
son will do when reason demands from him any
particular course. He may CALAMITY submit,
and claim a lot Of credit for saving his neck
from the moose, or he may kick and prance and
make all the trouble he can without reason or
intelligent purpose.
The world is looking on and has not yet con-
fined the Spaniard in an international mad
house as an irresponsible and dangerous Great
ure In the eyes Of the world, which persists
in treating the Spaniard as II rational being. the
United States Is under obligation to employ with
him the influences which rational beings re-
gard. The simplest Of these Is fear. With Ameri'
can ships having good guns and with every
Spanish vessel destroyed and every Spanish port
at the mercy Of those ships sane nation would
ask peace. II Spain will not even then. so
much the worse for Spar. A prolonged war IN
which no blows or shots can possibly hit any
other but one side Is tlresOme, but altogether
logical When Spain Is weary she can say so.
But il is not the business Of the United States
to question whether Spain Is utterly irrational
or not This Nation Is called upon to use the
powers at its command to put an end to the
war as soon as possible. Duty to other nations
compels it to treat Spain as they have treated
her. not as proper inmate Of an international
madhouse, but as capable of being Influenced
by rational motives The United States might
stand off for years on this side of the Atlantic
and see Spain making mouths at u.s. and try
ing 10 yex our commerce and embroil other ma
lions with us. all unavangy but its obvious
duty is to put out the conflagration next door,
and rs soon as il can. The worry Of European
Powers about American domination In Europe
NAV be dismissed as food for babies This Ma
ton would not take the whole Of Spain as
gift
The expression of American positiveness and
power has become duty which is owed not
merely to Americans themselves, but as well TO
Europe This Nation could get along without
asserting itself for good many years to come,
as it has for half century. But 1t owes TO the
people of Europe. and not at all to their Govern
ments. a fair notification what II means II
the various European Governments try to rush
their people into war with this Republic 1t is
not asserted that this country would have things
all its own way In any case. But the people OF
Europe may be intellectually benefited II they
know beforehand what war with the American
Republic by their rulers will involve IT would
cost any nation in Europe some loss and suner-
ing. big increase Of taxes. destruction OF COM
merce and much else A few American battle
ships on the other side would convey TO the
heads not crowned a clearer conception of the
cost likely to be involved by a war into which
some of their rulers may be inclined TO hasten
them.