The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-04-22
ON THE EVE OF WAR.

"
moment to hear that hostilities between
this country and Spain have com
menced. The act of giving Minister
Woodford his passports before he pre-
scented the ultimatum of the United
States shows that Spain accepts war in
preference to surrender;ng its dominion
the war will be of short duration and
there is no room TO doubt that the victory
will be with the forces of the United
States.
Under the shadow of the approaching
conflict, it is gratifying to reflect that
the policy of this country has been such
as to avoid the necessity of war. The
destruction of the Maine and the muir
der of the American officers and sailors
was an act of war, and it was wonderful
repression for this nation to quietly
await the finding of the commission be-
fore officially fixing the crime upon
Spanish authorities. The reply of Spain
was equivalent to an insult TO the
American Navy, charging that the muir
der Of which they were responsible was
due to the negligence of American Off
GERS. If this nation had desired war,
here was cause sufficient TO bring about
Il declaration of war. But anxious to
avert hostilities. Spain has been given
every opportunity to make reparation.
Instead of PREPARATION, it insults the
American navy and the American people
by gross reflection upon our best Off
GERS. And yet this insult is not re-
scented.
In a recent speech in the Senate, SEN
ator Gray, of Delaware, stated the
whole case of the United States (omit
ting the Maine murder) against Spain.
Il liken,'' said he, "the action proposed
by this country now to that of a citizen
of a town who has next door to him
yillianous neighbor, who every day
chokes his wife and starves and mail
treats his children. And because he is
law-abiding citizen he bears it for days
and weeks, until at last he can bear
it no longer. Law or no law, he enters
the residence of his negihbor. takes him
by the throat, and says, Take your
hands off the woman and let the chill
dren 60 and all his neighbors applaud.
That is what we propose to do and all
our neighbors in the family of nations
will applaud our action. If they do not,
God help them and the civilization
which they represent"
While many of us will always believe
that by the early recognition of belliger-
ency by Cleveland orMcKinley war would
have been ayerted, and while there have
been differences of opinion as to the
wise course for this country to pursue
in the negotiations which are now abb
ruptly ended, the time has come for
these opinions and these differences to
be lost sight of in the great national dtl-
ty that is before us. Those who favored
war and those who opposed it are Amer
leans, jealous of their country's honor.
In the conflict which confronts us, there
will be differences as to methods but
no differences as to the devotion TO the
flag. If the war is short, sharp ana
decisive, as all hope and most we'll in
formed men believe, the demand for men
and treasure will be readily met without
great draft upon the manhood and
it should lengthen into months the spirit
Of patriotism and self-sacrifice will not
be wanting among a people who have
liberty and are moved to sympathze
with the struggling Cubans.