Evening star., 1898-04-15
Peace and War.

Senator Hos-rs opening remarks in yes
tercay's speech were construed as proving
him an advocate of peace with Spain. Bat
This impre sion is inaccurate. He cuiOgiZes
peace in general, but in this instance in
effect advocates war. This is the Ameri-
can posiiion-peace-loving. but firm to the
point of war In maintenance of principle
After exceedingly able and convincing
defense of the Presidents Cuban policy
Senator Hoar quotes from the message
these words: This long trial has proved
that the object for which Spain has waged
The war cannot be attained" He adds:
That means, as / understand it, that in
order to restore peace in that island, the
continuance Of the flag of Spain over the
Island of Cuba is object impossible OF
attainment. II that be true, then any in
tervention on our part, conducted by the
President, If it is to accomplish the object
at which We aim, must directly. and as
soon rs may be expel the authority of
Spain from that island, and in that belief
have no doubt We are all agreed. 1T is in
view of that fact that the President goe-,
on to ask leave to use the forces of the
army and navy 70 restore peace. 1t is 1
peace In other words which can only exist
and be consistent with the expulsion of
the Spanish flag from Cuba
In his eloquent peroration Senator Hoar
indicates that he views this expulsion OF
Spain from Cuba meaning war and he
approves of such war if properly approach
ed. He says
Il expect to vote for the House resolu-
tions unless 1 should have an opportunity
to vote for the resolution of the honorable
senator from Colorado. That leads to war.
There is no doubt about it, 1t will lead to
the most honorable single war in all his
tory. unless we except wars entered upon
by brave people in the assertion of their
own liberty. 1t is entered into for
the single and sole reason that three or
four hundred thousand beings, within
ninety miles of our shores have been sub
1ected to the policy intended, or at any rate
having the effect. deliberately to starve
them TO death-men. women. and children,
old men, mothers and Infants
IF there have been any hasty or unwise
utterances OF impatience in such a cause as
that. and l think there have been. they
nave been honest. brave, humane utter
want to enter upon it with a united Ameri-
can people. President, and Senate and
House. and Navy and Army and Democrat
and Republican. all Joining hands and all
marching one way. l confess l do not like
to think of the genius of America angry,
snariihg. shouting, screaming. kicking,
ciawing with her nails 1 like rather to
'hink OF her IN her august and serene beau
ty- Inspired by sentiment even toward her
enemies not of hate but of love- perhaps a
little pale in the cheek. and dangerous
light N her eye. but with smile on her
lips. as sure. determined. unerring, invinci-
hie as was the Archangel Michael when he
struck down and trampled upon the Demon
of Darkness
All America Is for peace. and all America
is for war The permanent peace which we
have determined to secure for Cuba will
more than compensate for temporary
rupture of peaceful relations with Spain, If
that Is Inevitable. If peace with Spain and
peace In Cuba are radically Inconsistent
Then America selects deliberately but with
fixed determination the latter alternative.