The Saint Paul globe., 1898-04-25
SHOULD PRAY FOR TRIUMPH.
Rev. Thomas Hambly Says the Unit
ed States Position Is a Christian
One.

Rev. Thomas HambIy Says the Unit
ed States Position Is "a Christian
One.
1.-The air is filled with war talk said Rev.
Thomas Hambly, of the Clinton Avenue NJ
E. church, Clinton and Isabel streets yester-
day at the morning service. Mr.. Hambly had
taken for his theme The Cuban War and
Its Teachings" and the announcement of the
topic filled the church.
Spain says Cuba shall never be surren-
dered," continued the pastor. America re-
spends that Cuba ought to be and shall be
free. The position of the United States is a
Christian one. She is not entering this strug-
gle for territorial acquisition-not for conquest
to demonstrate superior strength to other ma
tions but is simply acting in the cause Of
humanity. The United States has never posed
as the champion of civilization, yet her form
of government is the hope Of the nations ana
races. The world expects much from the
United States, and the world is not going to
be disappointed.
THE citizen soldiery will again assert It.
self as the superior soldery of the world"
bosom fired with patriotic love and an in
telligence that has had no parallel in all time
is a tide that will be irresistible in its de-
termination to release thousands of fellow
men from servitude.
''As to the cause of the war;" continued
Mr.. Hambly. 1T grew out of certain condi.
tions that exist on the island of Cuba, and
have so existed for many years. Before we
inquire into those conditions, let us look for
moment at Cuba: What is her history!
Cuba was discovered by the Spaniards. Shs
Is the largest of Spain's possessions, and was
always loyal to that nation until early in the
nineteenth century. The original name given
to the island was Juana, after the son of Fer
dinand and Isabella, the king and queen of
Spain. After Ferdinand's death it was called
Fernandlna and subsequently Santiago after
the patron saint of Spain. Still later it was
known as Ave Maria, after the virgin. It's
present name is that by which it was known
h. r,,,,D e TO Whnn n1Pnrl
Bonaparte deposed the royal family of Spain
the people of Cuba swore allegiance to the
motherland. and declared war against France.
ITO confer especial honor upon the in
habitants of the island the home govern
ment established form Of control under
captain general, giving almost absolute pow
er into his hands. He was responsible to
the parent government only not to the ISL
anders. This autocratic authority has re-
solved itself into huge and ruthless system
of public plunder, perfdy, cruelty, treachery
and inhuman dealing, menacing all forms of
civilization of the world We need not refer
to Spain's past history of cruelty. 1t is
fact patent to the world that in religious
persecution she has outdone all the races of
men In cruelty, and in Cuba has unblush-
ingly enacted scenes that outrival the hor-
rors of the Turk. The outrages in Armenia
are not to be mentioned in the same breath
with Cuba. The hand Of the slavish wor-
shipper of the crescent carries no such in
delible stain as does the wanton subject of
the yellow flag.
For fifty years this naturally productive
island has been in trouble and have
stood willing to relieve the sufferers all that
time. In 1StS President Polk went far as
to propose through the American ambassa-
dor at Madrid, the transfer of the island to
America for the sum OF 81, 900, ,000 Ten years
later the senate discussed resolution offer
ing $50, 900, 600 for the island, but the bill met
with defeat.
I'm 1868 a rebellion against military des-
potism broke out in Cuba and a declaration
of independence was issued. Spain has sect
her choicest troops and her best leaders to
the island, and In every instance has met
with failure, meanwhile adding to the dark
history of cruelty.
For half a century this nation has wit
ressed this cruelty, and made efforts to in
close the ioodgates of crme-all without
avail-and now We are driven to the resort
of war. The call to arms is the last ap-
peal, and the world must know the merits
of the cause. We have offered everything
for peace, but Spain has broken all promises,
and the cruelty on the island has increased.
Hundreds of thousands Of honest citizens
have been taken from their farms and homes
and confined to prison limit These people
are subjected to the worst possible abuses.
All relief has been spurned by the captain
general-even the Red Cross society was
debarred from the island until Irresistible
pressure was brought to bear. and this So
ciety. which is welcomed everywhere, even
by the Turk, had to quit Cuba for fear of
being massacred.
There is one incident alone that is sufi-
cient to justify war. l refer to the sink
Ing of the Maine and the sacrifice Of 26S
American lives.
There is no party in this struggle" con-
cluded Mr.. Hambly. 1T is one people with
a set purpose. There is no North no South,
and 1 want to say that to Fitzhugh Lee this
nation owes much. 1 also want to commend
the dignity and calmness with which Presi-
dent Mckinley proceeded, and to congratu-
late the nation that he had among his ad-
visers as wise and careful and far-seeing a
diplomat and statesman Senator Davis, of
Minnesota, has proved himself to be.
nofin 1nh0r h1
fered for speedy triumph of the cause that
has for Its aim the emancipation of suf-
fering humanity"