Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-03-31
Support the President.

The situation at Washington. as seen
through the press dispatches, changes
with kaleidoscope rapidity. One day
il looks like a peaceful settlement of
all difficulties with Spain, and the next
day war seems inevitable and immi-
nent. 1t is certain that Congress is very
restless under any policy of delay and
that it wants immediate and aggres-
sive action. The outburst Of Tuesday
war speeches from able and influential
senat tors. and the knowledge that an
any day in the House makes it very
uncertain whether President McKin-
ley's policy of peace With honor can
possibly be carried out, or whether war
may not be forced at once by congress
sional action demanding armed inter
ventiOn in Cuba.
The country wants to see Cuba made
free at once. and it wants the matter
of the loss of the Maine settled as is
befitting that awful crime and the
dignity of this great nation, but moth
ing is to he gained and perhaps much
is to be lost by Gliding President Nc
kinlcy for his seeming course of delay
and by attempting to force his hand,
He stands second to no living man in
his sturdy and uncompromising Ameri-
canism and in ris ability to deal sue
ces>fully with existing conditions. II
knows the needs of the hour and under
stands the whole situation, as no CON
gresham or body of congressman can.
He is for peace, not peace at any price.
but peace at the American price If he
speedily, assurances Of a peace that will
maintain American rights and honor,
give Cuba absolute freedom and give
ample PREPARATION for the loss of our
Warship. then Congress and the country
may rest assured there will he no more
peace until there has been a war that
shall bring the insolent Spaniard to his
senses and drive him forever from the
fair island his presence has so long
cursed.
Through the trying period of waiting
for the naval courts report Congress
upheld the hands of the President with
magnificent unanimity, and showed
in its prudence and self control a pa
tri0tic spirit that won the commenda
ton of the civilized world. Now that
the verdict is given and the crisis has
come the same united and unquestion-
ing support should all the more be
given the man at the helm. To the
awful series of Spanish barbartes
against the Cubans is added the un-
speakabIe crime of blowing up the
both of these Spain must answer to the
American people. President Mckinley
of responsibility than any other man
on this continent has horne for more
than Il generation. but he is the man
for the hour and can be trusted to the
utmost to do his full duty. 1t is stated
on the best of authority that several
days ago the President made positive
demand upon Spain to put an end to
hOsllities in Cuba at once and to per-
init the reconcentrados to return to
their native farms and villages A
proposition. though not yet a demand
has also been offered that Spain with
draw it's troops from the island as the
first step to negotiations for indepen-
dence. No reply has yet been received
from Madrid. but this is the Presidents
position. He most certainly will not
recede from it-and this information
ought to put an end to all talk in Con
cress of rising up and taking the affair
out of the hands of the executive.
tinuc to trust and support the Presi-
dent. He is worthy of it, and alone in
his hands at this crisis are the honor
and the dignity of the nation safe
There has been no unnecessary delay
and there will be none. The question
of peace or war will bc quickly settled
and settled right. If ii be peace it will
be peace that every American can be
proud of: if it he war il will be war
justified and righteous, and one who's"
ronducI and results will reflect indy
ing lustre upon the names of freedom
and our country.