New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-02
list AND RIGHTEOUS WAR

mr. WILTON MERLE SMITH SAYS THIS COUNTRY
Is ACTING FROM THE HIGHEST MOTIVES.
The Rev. DR. Wilton Merle Smith. pastor Of the
Central Presbyterian Church. in West Fifty-sev-
enth-st preached a strong sermon yesterday morn
ins on THE Cuban Question" In part he said;
believe the present war into which we have
been crowded is just and righteous war before
action been taken upon grounds as high as, this
action looking to intervention in Cuba And ten
not been accust toned to act from these higher mo,
tives II has been low and sordid ana par,s an
over the spectacle Of ttleness and pettiness In our
grea: legislative halls But here. for once Win
grounds Of humanity and duty.
You mus. remember that This thought OF inter.
vention in Cuba is not a sudden thing. II was
suggested year after year b. our Presidents: Mr
csye@n& a paqy Ha some r day msH' .a
the same II was impossible for this country, 10
pH Tln dfsss Of HS a'Ss h G
sale robbery and pundcring which spanish rue
every ground Of expeGiency argued against our in
torvention. although We do not wish the island as
d gift. although i, is recognized that there are
the spanish are dslOdged yet still for years that
geo" OF or ay g 70 we2F enc s h pedp
Now can you discover single trace ~ corrupt
ever comes this country is pure in It's purpose 70
stop those horrors It may be mistaken l. may
be- unwise. It certainly has nothing 70 gain and a
great deal 10 lose. but one thing is sure-nterven-
'ion has been thrus. upon us ny purposes and aims
absolutely pure.
Never a purer or more cody man sat in the
Presidential chair than our present chief Execu-
tive. do not believe that there ever sat about a
President adler. more level-hcadcd body OF
adviser. II must never be forgotten that they
know infinitely more about these questions than
W.. that there hidden secrets OF the situation
that Il is impossible for the country at large 10
know Now. isn't 4 little singular thar the
present situation has come about by what is alb
solutoy unanimous action OF the President. his
Cabnei. and practically 81 Congress? II Is. then.
the voice OF the people. spoken by their we'll
trusted representatives.. and the voice Of the peo-
pie is the v0iec II God.
question sometimes whether war IS the greatest
ev!l of all. There other dangers and other
evils which threaten US. What IL more democrat
ling more dangerous 20 the very life Of our Ma
ton than that low commercialsm which s ever
ASKING not what - right but what Will pay-that
ever puts eNpedency above Righteousness and the
glory ~ Cod Thank God that for once this Ma
ton has swung clear az such deals and is stand
ing before the world for something higher and
greater far
Yes Il may be costly. 1t may cost many lives
God IS with us-and IN all that do arc only.
az 1 fully believe. following His leadings-let Us
lose every sense OF fear and do our duty before
God and the world. cost what Il may I believe
FOR one that this Nation has mission 70 the
weak and iil-goverrcd countries on this continent.
And to-day. when. lei OF God and coHsclentiously.
without suspicion Of self-in;erest. she ad-
dresses herself difficult and noble line OF duty
to humanity 7 ror one dare not LIT whisper OF
criticism or suGht else but iervent Godspeed upon
this crrand OF mercy.