The herald., 1898-05-28
THE TABLE STAKES


the easiest thing in the world for the
leaders and organs Of the Republican
party to prove that 1t was Democratic
or a Republican war, as may best suit
their purposes. In the event Of an en-
tirely satisfactory termination, and a
settlement that shall be in all respects
honorable and commendable, the entire
credit will be claimed for the president
and his party, and we shall hear some
wonderful tales, illustrating not only the
fnesse of the executive In the diplomatic
stages Of the play, but Of his phenom-
email sagacity in the direction Of the
movements of army and navy.
On the other hand. when only the
crease in the national debt is contem
plated, and explanations of needless ex
penditures and appalling extravaganza
are undertaken, the people will be re-
minded that it was strictly Democratic
war, a war into which the administration
was reluctantly driven by Democratic
jngoes in and out Of congress.
When sporting men desire to gamble on
a certain card not coming out of the box,
In the ancient and honorable game of
faro, they place a chip on it in certain
way. to indicate their purpose. That is
called 'coppering." And that is what
the Republican party has already done
in this game Of war. They have-or at
least think they have-coppered the ace
The presidents exasperating hesitancy
from the sinking of the Maine up to the
declaration of war on the 26th of April
Is to be recalled as clinching argument
as to his yearning for peaceful settle
ment, as to his aversion to bloodshed
His pacific message to congress will also
be utilized, and the assurances he gave in
1t that Spain could certainly be de-
pended upon to adjust that little matter
Of the Maine, to the entire satisfaction
Of everybody. The bloodless blockade,
and a score Of other incidents of the war,
will be used to advantage in proving the
abhorrence of the great and good presi-
dent to the firing of guns. And full ad-
vantage will be taken of the efforts made
by his most intimate friends-Hanna,
Elkins, Morton, Morgan and Depew-to
avert the calamity of war, and Of the
warnings uttered by the New York Even
Ing Post, the Ohio State Journal, and
other leading Republican journals of
opinion, that war was entirely unne-
cessary and wholly wicked. In q, word
II 1t shall prove to be bear, the presi-
dent killed it, but If, alas. It should turn
out to be only neighbors calf, the res
possibility must be borne by the anar-
chist Democrats in congress, who insisted
upon engaging in the hunt.
The plan Of campaign is already ar.
ranged, and Its conception is admira Bile
1t remains to be seen If all of the people
Of the United States, contrary to Abe
Lincoln's belief, can be fooled all the time
The patriotic hosts of the Democratic
Silver Republican and Populist parties
at all events, will be satisfied If the wal
can be brought to a speedy close. IL /
snail eventuate In the independence o.
the Cubans, and the expense of the grea
undertaking shall be met without resor
to another issue Of bonds, without th
increase. to the extent of do.lar, in tn
interest-bearing indebtedness of tn
country. They can at the close point Il
the consistent and steadfast course O
their representatives in congress, to thei
loyal support Of all needful legislation
to theih alertness in detecting attempt
to hold up the government; t
their stubborn resistance to the ma
chinations of the money power, and the
Will have no apologies to make for
single newspaper Of their faith for iacl