New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-19
IRPESPONSIBLES.
tongues.

1t is among things conceivable that the OK
plosion on the Maine not an accident.
Perhaps some Spanish fanatic or some Cuban
schemer blew it up. Maybe investigation will
even show that there was official treachery tow
ard this Government IN the harbor OF Ha-
vana. It is among things possible that time
may develop such facts that war may be the
outcome of the disaster. But in face of such
possibility. however remote, or such prospect,
however menacing, only the most constituencies
demagogue would ask reason to give place TO
passion and seek to make Mysteries outrun facts.
For the last two days the patience of serious
minded citizens has been strained by the
criminal or insane howlings of the woud-be
leaders Of mob. Unrestraned by the decent
sobriety due 10 the heroic dead on the part OF
all who discuss their fate and its cause, I'M
tional welfare, untouched by any care for the
standing Of their country in the eyes Of the
world, unmindful of the respect owed to the
officers charged with the conduct Of public
affairs, they shout out their mad vaporings
their wicked inventions and their base appeals
to hate until their din almost deafens the ear
to the sobs of the bereaved and the words Of
those possessing knowledge There Is not as
destroyed by design. Even proof of design, If
it should be discovered would leave the source
Of the crime yet to be found. Even should
treachery be traced to a Spanish officer, war
would not be inevitable unless the Government
should be found responsible or should refuse
reparaton for the wrong Under the circum-
stances II was inevitable that suspicion should
be aroused, and the whole world shared the
Americans thought Of possible reachery. This
is certainly a moment of anxiety, though hap
PLY of anxiety which promises to be dspelled
but the time when the country is confronted
with a serious question is the time for every
patriot to guard his words The Governor who
rushes in to tender troops that are not asked
for the State legislator who wishes to relieve
Congress Of its war-declaring power. the old
salt who wants TO get back into the Navy to
"blOw Spain off the EARTH" are not serving their
country, but are harming It.
Let II be assumed that all their hopes or fears
are true. Then they are even less justified IN
their wild talking than II suspicious were ut
terly grOundless. unless we are to assume that
the United States is not land Of orderly gov
eminent but country ruled by mob. What
ever anybody thinks, 1t is n time for constituted
authorities alone to act. First there is Captain
Sigsbee He is In command at Havana and
entitled to support and consideration IL he
has trouble he will manage 1t there more wisely
than sensation-mongers here. Even il Mt this
moment he knew himself betrayed and thought
war likely-which be IL said again there Ia M
reason TO suppose-as sensible man he would
keep quiet about 1t, study the situation till
he was satisfied. and come away with himself
and his crew under tn" most favorable circum-
stances. Then there is the President of the
United States. or course, no true liberty loving
sensation-monger will concede TO him any prec
edence. but nevertheless the law makes him
the Commander-in-Chief Of the Navy and the
manager of foreign relations Moreover
Congress alone, under the Constitution. hal