The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-04
PATIENCE is EXHAUSTED.
Rev. II. v. Hunter Thinks the Prest-
dent Is Perhaps Overly Cautious.


In preaching a sermon on the gravity OF
the Cuban situation, Rev. r. V. Hunter, of
the Seventh Presbyterian Church, yesterday
morning took his text from Luke xiv, 90:
what king going to make war against an
other king, stitch not down first, and con-
sulteth whether he be able with ten thou
sand to meet him that cometh against him
with twenty thousand?"
1.-THE text is an illustration of the neces-
sity of counting the cost before determine
ing to become a Christian" said he. 1.-THE
Master, however, indirectly indorses the
wisdom of counting the cost before going to
war also. This includes Cd what is the
stake? Or what is to be gained by the war?
Would the end justify the means? (2) Has
every possible means been exhausted to Sc
cure the end without resorting to war? War
is not justifiable except as a last resort,
when an end is to be attained involving
human rights or national integrity. 60 Is
there any hope of ultimate success? Can
the end be secured even with war? Some
such consideration as the foregoing would
seem to warrant war, which has always
been looked upon as an awful scourge and
something to be deplored.
I'm the present crisis between the United
States and Spain the ultimate freedom of
the people of a neighboring island is the end
desired. The Cubans have been oppressed
for centuries, while we, their neighbors,
have been the recipients CT untold blessings
resulting from a freedom secured through
the Intervention of an awful war. Their
liberties have been limited at every turn.
They have had practically no representation
in the Spanish Cortes. Their taxes have
been something frightful often amounting
to so per cent. and more of the peoples in
come. Taxation without representation has
been the condition. The Cuban revolt has
greater justification than the American col
onies had when they declared their indie
pendence on July 4, 1776, amidst the thunder
ing of cannon and a mighty jubilation.
Human freedom is the splendid stake at
issue. Liberty precious word to Ameri-
cans, is the object of the Cuban struggle.
No intelligent Am erican will stop to inquire
is liberty worth fighting for?' Every noble
instinct, every patriotic impulse, every viz
tuous conviction as to our duty toward our
neighbor, insists that there is a mighty issue
between Spain and Cuba with, right on the
''Iaye al possible efforts been made to
secure Cuban liberty without resorting to
war on the part of the United States? Have
we exhausted diplomacy? Is there no other
way of bringing about Cuban independence
other than war? We answer by asserting
that it is our impression that diplomacy has
exhausted itself. Our government stood by,
without even a protest, for months, If NJ
years, after the present Cuban rebellion be-
gan. Then we protested, offered our kindly
offices, and have waited and pleaded while
the butchery and starvation process has
gone horribly on Hundreds of thousands
have already persisted, and while we are
confident that Spain cannot ever vanQuish
Cuba entirely, yet with her superior num-
bers she can continue TO harass the Cubans
and keep up the awful carnage indefinitely.
If we have confidence in our administration
we must agree that it has exhausted itself,
and almost exhausted the patience of Con-
gress and the American people, in trying to
axy ri n
to be secured at all hazards We see no
other way TO secure it than through the in
herself unworthy of any possessions in this
hemisphere. Her methods, principles and
civilization are effete. She maintains a
cruel despotism. She degrades her people
and her dependencies. She stands in the
way of an advancing civilization. Accord
ing to that universal and irrevocahle law
doom is sealed. AS much as war is to be
abhorred, as dreadful as such a carnage has
often been and is likely to be, we believe
there are things that are worse. Endless
slavery; the degradation that comes from
enforced ignorance and poverty; merciless
taxation without representation; the failure,
natural mission in the world; the hopeless
ness and the gloom OF oppression for gem
erations. are conditions infinitely more de-
plorable than is state or war. We believe
fewer lives will be sacrificed in war, that
hope will come more speedily, and that lib
erty will take up her abode more surely and
quickly in poor Cuba, judged by our present
light and Information, if we, without fur
Their delay, recognize the independency OF
Cuba, even though war follows, than by pur-
suing any other policy known to finite man.
We are willing to admit the wisdom and
patriotism of the administration in its policy
of peace UP to the present time. Nay,
more; we believe our chief executive has
shown craftsmanship and self-poise of a
superior order in the conduct of this whole
question. But 1t does seem that the time for
heroic measures has come at last This is
demanded by many voices in the name of
human hberty-that boon which has become
so precious to Americans and which is be-
ing appreciated more and more by the ma
tons of the earth, Spain and Turkey ex-
cepted-we demand that the stronger ma
ton shall intercede in behalf of helpless and
bleeding Cuba.
Our national honor and good name de-
mand that we now proceed with the cause
which I'VE have espoused, even at the cost
OF great financial sacrifice and precious
lives or else be chargeable with weakness,
indecision and cowardace. Consistency de-
mands that we take up the cause Of these