El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1898-05-03
THE GREAT BATTLE.

Yes. we all rejoice. 1t was a Rlor-
ious victory, and the name of CON-
m ,doce Dswey will go down in history
with those of Nelson and Perry and
Farragut. Even he of the cold, slug
gish blood, and the Interchangeable
counteusnce, must warm little about
the cookies of his heart when he reads
OF the sublime defiance that our COM
msuder hurled at the Spauiards, fol-
lowing up the defiance with solid shot
and shell.
We are proud that the Stars aud
Stripes have been upheld so faithfully.
We are proud that a full blooded Amer
lean has shown himself to be the
legitimate successor of long line of
great Auglo-Saxon fighters. Com
modore Dewey has the stuff in him
that makes man man, aud manly
men the world over will feel that their
hearts beat little faster, their
nerves Jingle, AID their blood runs
warmer as they read the story of the
conflict.
The battle was fairly won. 1t was
no browbeating affair, of an unequal
matching of forces. 1t was no childish
playing at war. 1t was the grand,
heroic sacrifice OF stroag men for a
principle; it was a fight to a finish,
with the world-with earth and heaven
We do not know yet how many brave
Americans lost their lives in defending
their ships. 1t is probable that the
death roll of the Maine will be sadly
extended by this battle. But it was q
willing, glorious, aud a reasonable
sacrifice on the altar of right. The
blood of our brothers has not been
split in vain. The seed will be nur-
tured in the bosom of memory, it will
be enlivened by a living faith that
right must prevail, it will spring forth
and come to glorious maturity in the
fullness of time, when these things
shall all be made clear, and we are
permitted to see how right can result
from an apparent wrong.
1t Is a g )od time to consider what the
issue of this conflict may mean for US as
q nation. First, we have forced tie ma
tions of the earth to respect our power
Let us not incline to abuse this power.
He that is most conscious of his
strength can bes. afford to avoid COM
plications by means that would not
answer for a weaker brother. The
United States in this war stands alone
as the champion of right against con-
vention, OF the moral law against the
common Law. And the United States
can well afford to stand alone, if not
forever, at least for many, many years
to come.
We appreciate to the depths the
friendship that is so signally shown by
our British brothers. The spirit that
assigns that sympathy to pure selfish
ness but reflects its.own narrowness and
pettiness. The English are our broth
ers. They have not always been our
friends. But do not let Us doubt III eir
utter sincerity in this hour, lest We be
sdjudged of seeing falsely through a
medium warped by our own obliquity.
But friendship does not here mean
an active alliance. We want no al
liances with any nation. Certainly
the time is not ripe for an Anglo
Saxon entente, anS We believe it Is
vicious policy that persists in bring
ing this question to the front time af-
ter time. TIE world is not ready for
f.: we as nation are not ready for it,
A II we ask for is fair treatment and
no lest dealing from all men. If, as
seem' likely, this war dives the two
for, most nations closer together
interest and policy, good. But
not force the issue, or G
more than half way.
The second great effe