The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-04-26

taken the position that she did. But as
soon as the subject Vas mooted. she put
her foot down firmly and notified Eng
land that she not only would take no part
IN such a combination, but that all OF her
sympathies and possibly ali Of her phy-
steal resources would be with America.
That notice from her TO the European
despotisms ended what might have been
the most serious position TO this country
that II ever was confronted with. The
people OF the United states are learning
how England stood by us In this crisis
ana the fact is doing more to undo the
false teachings they have been given than
everything possible in the way Of instruc-
ton by speech and writing could have
done.
1t really seems strange that the French
should have taken the position towards
us that they have taken, but It is un-
deniable that the great mass OF the
French people are distinctly hostile to us
now and in hearty sympathy with Spain
Except that the French are said TO own
it would seem most strange that the
French Republic should be siding against
another Republic that is fighting to I'D
crate an outraged and oppressed people
and with a rotten old despotsm that is
barely standing upon its last legs, but
is clutching tenaciously every engine OF
oppression that it ever controlled IN us
palmiest days OF absoluusm. But France
Is not much Of a Republic after all. Her
people are not capable OF that rational
liberty that the true Republic is institute
cd to secure to men. We met In the Lon
don Spectator a day or so back with the
following:
When a horse and cab come 10 grief in
London four or five men are certain TO
appear and 10 take an enormous amount
Of trouble TO help the cabman out of MS
difficulties. Some one is instantly found
Offering to sit on the horses head, ana
when the right moment comes three or
four more will seize the body OF the nan
som and heave it up quite regardless OF
the trouble and labor. They get nothing
whatever, as rule, for do! TINS, ana
will quite as readily do IL for caDman
whose cab was empty at the time o. Inc
accident as for one who had fare VINO
might possibly 'stand drinks As soon
as the horse Is up and started again the
men who have put themselves TO very
considerable trouble and run some FISK
of getting a hand or a foot crushed
disappear without even waiting 10 be
thanked. They regard It as the right ana
natural thing TO help man out OF
tight place"
on the continent no such obligation 10
help seems TO be felt by the crowd. Ihey
stand by and either stare with stupid
eyes or else make sarcastic remarks. Ihe
present writer remembers seeing an accl-
dent To a Paris cab, when no assistance
whatever was offered to the cabman by
the bvstanders There were plenty oil
ieers. however and when the horse IN MS
struggles finally sat down on his haunch-
es. after the manner of Mr.. Briggs morse
in Leech's immortal picture, the Wag OF
the party suggested with great gusto that
the horse was ''un cheval d Ilippodrome,
and was no doubt about to perform
That tells the whole story OF French
character. Life. TO the French, is one huge
ioke. and II any situation gives French
man a chance to make an epigram, he
shakes his sides, grins and goes on his
way rejoicing in the thought that great
mart OF his mission on earth is fulfilled