New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-13
THE VICTOR.

S.x months ago Yesterday. lacking three days,
the u,ar hogan. Yesterday II ended. II was not
O declaration of war that occurred on February
TX nor even a suspension Of diplomatic rein
tions and intercourse. 1t was treacherous'
cruel crime. all but unparalleled In history FOR
uanton wickedness That was the logical no.
ginning of the war Not that 1t provoked TINS
patient Nation to reprisals. nor that we ultl'
mately went to war for tho mere sake OF ven
reance: for neither was the case. No, hut II was
an index of conditions of affairs that de-
minded intervention and Of a disposition OF
mind that was not likely TO accept a peacefui
solution of the problem. For that act OF horror
and of madness retributioD has come In ahun
dant measure for that and for all of which II
vas the eliminating incident. After war
which was 10 her an unreieved series OF over
whelming disasters. Spain Is compelled TO ac-
cent her con1ucror's terms Of peace to the very
letter. Never was the wrongdoing OF centuries
greater. never the punishment more swift and
sure. never the triumph Of the victor in battle
and in council. more complete
Nor "a the identity of the victor 10 be mis-
taken or obscured. II Is, In general sense, Inc
American Nation: more closely dra wn. the Navy
on1 the Army. and their commanders. than
whom the brave days OF old" could boast no
hrover But when the choice Of praise Is mar
rowed to a single name. there Ia one first
and there is no second. From beginning to end
n hos been the Presidents war. and to-day u Is
tho Presidents victory We do not mean ne
sought the war. or wished It. or entered upon IL
With feelings other than OF reluctance ana or
devastation But even thus are many OF lies
highest and noblest tasks fulfilled. 1t is not ia
avoiding but In conquering troubles Tint the
greatness OF n soul Is shown: not In fleeing from
things that are hateful. but In meeting them and
beating them and crushing them into subsection
to our will. The President conspcuously above
most men, loved peace and hated war. But
when war was forced upon him he made II his
ard his countrys servant. not master, and out
of Its woe and horror he has now brought hon
orablc peace and blessings lncOmmensurable.
The President, we have sod did not want
war Through those dark days in February
last he stood like foursqunre tower Of strengths
against The winds Of passion that howlcd vocal
with cries for instant vengeance. Watt But
no did not wait In idleness While others talked
he worked. and night and day he pressed the
Nations preparations Tor what might come as
they had never been pressed before. Week
after week the cry for war arose, largely from
those who knew this Nation was not ready for
II and would suffer sorely at the outset II war
were then begun. But the President still said
"waitw There was poured upon him such a
tide of obloquy and malicious defamation as
no other man In all this Nations history had
endured. But still he stood unmoved. And
70 he shaped the circumstances Of the time
fiat. when at last the inevitable blow fell which
not even he could avert It fell in his own chosen
dine ana manner, just when and where and