The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-10-07
A Ml,ftpr.sentatioa.

Iue hebAIeFt IN reply 10 an inquiry
by a correspondent, republlshel letter
written by Senator Ei6lns on the l5tk Of
last March. opposing the lingo polle:s;
which was being pursued, principally
by the yellow papers, and which was
trying to force the war before the coun-
thy was in a state OF preparation. and
In opposition also to the inslstence that
we plunge Into war wholly for the sup
port Of Cuban republic which had no
substantial existence beyond the junta
which was doing business in New York.
He likewise opposed rhs policy advo-
Gated then by these agltators which
would nave involved the recognition Of
the Independence of that so-called re-
public
Mr.. Ellklns was opposed to war as long
as President Mckinley was faithfully
attempting to secure peace in Cuba
through diplomatic means, and was one
Of chose leaders who were unfolding the
President in his Efforts TO make war,
with all its terrors and sacrifices. as the
last resort after the exhaustion of all
honorable means to bring about a new
order of things in the interest Of human
Ny. Like others who knew the condi-
tlon of the country. and who weighed
well what the inevitable result would be
that war OF that nature would de-
velop In It's scope and take a wider range
than the mere freedom Of Cuba, he pre-
ferred a peaceful securing of what the
President was sincerely seeking. He
argued against IT frankly and wasn't
demagogue enough TO ride on a wave of
popular war feeling, preferrlng rather to
counsel discretion.
Later ON the senator was found sus-
tainlng the hands OF the President in
every move. and was one Of the senators
who held out to the last against recog-
mixing the republic" of Cuba in the
final action which precipitated HOSTILE
ties. History mas since vlndlcated the
action OF Congress, which finally fol-
lowed the policy that had been advo-
Gated by the President and the conserv-
atIves in Congress. We would be in a
pretty FIX now II these cool heads had
not prevailed and the recognition feat
ure not stricken out Of the resolutions.
We would now be responsible for every
act committed by the Cubans and In
honor bound to set up in Havana the or
ganlzation known as the republic of
Cuba, but which to all intents and pur-
pose had no existence substantial
enough to warrant the action attempted.
When war became Inevitable the sena-
tor was sin sustaining the President
and was counsellIng discreet action, and
expressing his willingness. to leave the
matter in his hands. trusting in his wis
dom 10 act periodically and with judg-
ment in any emergency. In the famous
debate which occurred in the senate just
previous to the declaration of war, Sem
ator Elklns spoke and voted for the
policy Of eliminating the recognition
clause, which policy prevailed. He had
voted for the $50, 100000 emergency fund,
and has since in every action and every
vote sustained the administration and
the conduct of the war. He is now an
advocate of the policy OF making the
most of the fruits OF the victory. and for
a frm insistenee upon every measure
laid down by this government in tbs
peace negotiations
To the cool heads IN the senate when
the jingo fever was high lie due the fact
that this country ls not to-day embar-
raised with complications that would
have resulted from the hasty action adj
vocated, particularly by the Democratic
side, which now boasts that 1t forced
the war on the country. Mr.. Ellins IS
not the only loyal citizen who opposed
war save as a last resort In the failure
OF peace negotiations, and whO held up
the hands OF our President whose rare
Judgment has since been indicated. All
the patriots were not among the ranks
OF those who wanted war without pre-
parations for war, and war or nothing,
and who would nave had hostllties be-
gin without IN army raised, drilled,
seasoned and equipped.