The herald., 1898-08-07

of the world was never so rapidly
changed. The puissance of a young ma
tion never comma nded such world recog
problem has not before developed into
such significance. Consequences so
great and possibilities of such magnitude
and complexity never grew out of an
original design so foreign.
The declaration of war recited the
events leading up to it and justification
for our demand upon Spain that she
withdraw her forces from Cuba and con-
cede the independence of the people of
the island And to the end that the
world might Judge Alright the sincerity of
our purpose of engaging in a'war solely
for humanity, the following paragraph
was added:
The United States hereby disclaims
any disposition or intention to exer-
else sovereignty, jurisdiction or con
troll over said island except for the
pacfication thereof, and asserts It's de
termination when that is accomplished:
to leave the government ana control OIL
the island to its people.
More than two thousand precious lives
and many hundred millions of treasure
have been expended in behalf of cause
the Justice and grandeur of which chal-
lenges in advance the admiration of the
civilized world. Ultimate judgment will
turn upon the fidelity with which we
pursue our original purpose.
The chief executive of this great and
victorious nation, upon taking the oath
of office, told the country it should be-
ware of the temptation to wage wars of
conquest. Edgar Fawcett, with a muse
of fire, now supplements that warning
with this:
Avert, my country, from thine ear the voice
That urges empire as thy choice.
Shame on the dema gogues who plan thy
doom
Till foul with sophistries their senates
fume.
| No sibyl yet among thy natal stars
| Hath leagued thy destiny with kings and
cZars.
quest pledge
| Thee whose enormity two oceans edge?
| Nay, when at last, wars hells of gloom
Withdrawn,
| White peace brings daybreak whittier than
earth's dawn,
Set Cuba free, If such thy civic mood,
Yet claim no tribute save her gratitude.
Quit Asian waves; let Europe's prides and
spleens
| Bicker like minnows round the Philippines
| Tell Spain what heartless tactics thy soul
shuns
OF Alexanders and Napoleons;
Reveal to her there is one land this hour
Lured by no lust of territorial power;
| Teach her thy troops Uhough churlish be
her thanks)
Have drummed old veteran Greed from out
| their ranks.
Flaunt not, Republic from thy victory wor
| Coarse triumphs to the unsympathetic sun
| Hermit of nations let them call thee STILL
Hermits at least for bloodshed have no will
| Agnarianism in menace let them cite;
Vast houseless plains thy tillage yet invite
For lordlier commerce let them prate and
plead,
Meaning monopoly's brute man to feed.
Dear land, whose promises were half dl
| vine,
|
About the calms and grandeurs of thy
shape
Traditions puppies deign once more t.
drape.
Vulgar Imperialism should vainly thran
Thee whose ideals were so imperial
The gladdest pean of battle thou shalt own
Has merely for its echo an orphans moan
| Though splendid is the warriors pluck OIL
grit.
| The widows heartbreak may outmeasurc
! 1t.
A thousand slaughterous fields thor
| shouldst command
| Hereafter, but with unensanguined hand
| A thousand batteries where the foe fights
hard
Thy cannonades Of wisdom should bonn
bard.
| And when to science and intellect low bow
The last of all the mimic legions, thou
| Monarchical for motherhood mayst be,
Gathering thy children round thy mighty
knee.
How falls It, o my country, that th
! schemes
Of avarice tempt with these ignobl,
dreams?
Would that my verse, in hatred of sucl
wrong,
Might fash from every line sword of song
Would that my words, this madness TO ar
raign,
Were squadrons and battalions of dlsdain
| Would that my grief might drown, for un
/ told years.
This rash faulty with tides of tears.
| Vet few the bards from whose firm lips a RI
borne
| Miltonic thunder, Juvenalian scorn;
And in thy peril hate allots my strain
| Only the weak prerogative of pain.
Yet still this JUNCTION to unrest I lay
| The shadow hath stolen, but it will no
stay.
For now, even now, while doubt and dreat
| are sore,
! I hear strange melodies wax more ant
| more,
That bode through all my spirits listenin.
| scope
Tempestuous music from the harp of hope
The first peaceful Sabbath since tn
Maine went down might not be NOR
profitably employed than in patient, pa
triotic-even ayerful-meditation owe
the tragic events of the quarter and th
duties that now, upon the threshold o
Peace, confront nation of Christians.
INCREASE OF OFFICIALISM