The times., 1898-10-31
Our Election. u.d Spain.

The New York Tribune prints a very
remarkable letter signed by Frederick
W. Seward-the more remarkable that
family. The greatest of the Stewards
was politician, but he never descend
ed to utter nonsense even if the public
he wished to influence was deemed in
capable of exercising common intelli-
gence. We hope the people of New
York are not to be measured by this
Stewards estimate of their stage of
mental development. His letter is a
statement that Spain wants the Demo-
Gratis TO win in the New York election;
that they could not keep Roosevelt out
of Santiago. but they hope to keep him
out Of Albany; that the Spaniards are
well informed about American affairs.
and will take Democratic victory as a
repudiation of the war and its results:
that Spain would wave her banners OF
blood and gold over what she would
construe To be Spanish victory"
1t is hardly to be supposed the man
is fool enough to believe this; but what
must be his idea of the sense of the peo-
pie who read the Tribune? 1t would not
be worth attention if he were alone in
this. for it cannot matter much what
he thinks OF his fellow citizens.
The idea was first suggested, though
not so badly. by Chauncey NJ. De-
pew and readily echoed by Roose-
welt. If the Spaniards are as well
n nj ,fY 70 i've C
these campaigners assert, they must
know what even a Maine member of
Congress knows about the war Mr.
Boutelle, of that State, made speech
at Boston banquet a few nights ago,
in which he affirmed of his own knowl-
forced into the war with Spain, against
his judgment and wishes, by the DEM
ocratS. who had a Republican minority
with them. He asserted that Cuban re-
lief from oppression could have been
achieved without war and without the
penalty of territorial acquisition, and
implied that this was the direction of
all the Presidents desires. The watch
full Spaniards must know all about the
attempt made by the Presidents Secre-
tary, Mr.. Porter, 10 change the current
of popular sentiment that the Chief
Magistrate might be upheld in his op-
position to war. Dispatches from Ma
drid report that Sagasta and other
prominent Spaniards We're greatly en-
couraged by the recent speeches of the
President. In these he clearly attempt
ed to foster a sentiment in opposition to
the acquisition of the Philippines.
The President is absolutely supreme
in his authority in relation to the treaty
of peace and the evacuation of Cuba.
His forbearance has amazed Inundated
and disgusted the people. including the
Democrats, whose success in a State
election will be construed to mean a
Spanish victory" He can do what he
will in the whole business. and Spain
knows it quite as well as anybody. 1t
is not conceivable that she would look
for a greater degree of consideration,
for larger display of patience, than
has been shown by the President.
Does anybody care what Spain thinks
about our elections? Is her opinion so
important that the taxpayers of New
York should condone the canal frauds
rather than allow her to rejoice under
the delusion that the Democrats love
her? Never was there such rank non
sense talked in a political campaign as
by the Republicans who raise the cry
that a vote against the abnormal
egotist, Roosevelt. is vote for Spain.