Evening star., 1898-05-30

be avoided If possible. No nation should
engage therein until every possible resource
has failed in order to maintain peace. un-
less that peace is secured at the expense
of the principles of righteousness and JUS
tice. If ever a nation was justified in TAX
ing up the sword. truly our nation was, and
that from the highest code Of national mo-
rality. 1t was not for greed nor glory, not
to vindicate national honor nor to avenge
personal wrongs but to shield the helpless
protect the weak, relieve the Cypress ed
and rescue the perishing. Such a course
Should find approval among all civilized ma
tions. and is an emphatic affirmation to the
question, Am / my brothers keeper"
The orator spoke of Gods hand being in
position and said: This vicarious attitude
of our country toward Cuba is in marked
contrast 70 the attitude of European ma
tions toward the oppressed, prosecuted and
murdered Armenians a few years ago. No
wonder these nations now look on the
scenes enacted on our shores with admir-
alton and envy.
He spoke of the neglect and cruelty prac-
tioed by Spain toward Cuba.
The history of Spain.' he said, ''is but
a record of cruelty and oppression. Her
trail is marked with blood. Her rulers are
proud and arrogant. Her people are igno-
rant, vicious and cruel. She has constant
ly sought to block the path of human prog
ress. to strange the spirit of liberty and
burden others. for her own support. She
has been a blot upon civilization. a para
site on her own possessions. Her pride and
rCptcy. and she is now ready to fall to
pieces by the weight of her own corrup-
ton The cup of her iniquity Is full the
handwriting on the wall is against her. AS
nations have Dosthumous existence.
God is now entering into judgment with
her for her dark record of crime and
bloodshed- Fearful indeed will be the reck-
oning- Against the cruel oppression of
Cuba by this doomed nation our country
has from time to time raised it's voice and
entered its protest, but all to no purpose
Patiently, kindly and yet firmly our ma
ton continued its kind offices a pacifier
until recent conditions became such that
to be silent was to sin, to remain neutral
was impossible Then spake our nation as
with voice of thunder: This cruelty must
cease. Cuba shall be free This was no
idle boast nor meaningless threat The
great American heart was moved. its patri-
etism stirred and from every part Of our
beloved land came a hearty and immediate
response to the nations call for arms and
to their appointed places to fight a foreign
foe in behalf of down-trodden people.
The issue is Joined. the battle is on and to
the God of battles We appeal
Political differences said the orator.
have been laid aside. personal or selfish
considerations lost sight of in the supreme
thought and deliberate purpose to sustain
true national honor and redeem national
pledges"
The speaker paid tribute to the news
papers of the country.
me American press Is American. ne
said. however diverse in political senti-
ments or economic questions it has loyal
ly rallied to the support Of the government.
Indeed, 1t has educated the public to such
an appreciation of the great questions in
volved that the people were far ahead Of
legislative enactments and were impatient
of delay
The speaker in closing showed the clear
connection existing between the past and
the present.
1T was only by the sacrifices of the
past" he said. that present results were
obtained. 1t is the sowing to the reap
ing. Human freedom, constitutional liberty
and personal happiness are the products of
the toll, heroism and sacrifice of the past
Today we have united nation, one that is
respected and feared by the nations of the
world. There may have been a question in
the minds of many when viewing the fear
full sacrifice of blood and treasure in or
der to preserve the Union whether it was
rot too great price to pay. but recent
events have settled that question forever
Great as was the cost of its preservation it
is worth all 1t cost and more"
When Rev. Mr.. Isaac had concluded,
the st. Elizabeth choir sang Sleep Thy
Last Sleep" DR.. W. w. Godding, superin-
tendent of st. Elizabeth's, next spoke, and
read an original poem.