The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1898-04-12
That Ridiculous Mouse,

For week or ten days, We We're told,
Griggs. Day. Adee and Hanna toiled
morning, noon and night, assisted by
large corps of clerks. stenographers
and typewriters, TO prepare that awful
message of gore and glory, the least
line Of which, if published, it was de-
clared, would lead to general massa-
ere of American consuls and citizens
wherever the flag of Spain could be
found. Well, we have il at last. par
turiunt monies. nascetur ridiculus
mus"
1t is a legitimate child, a Mckinley
all over. 1t has excited neither admir-
alton nor much anger. 1t is too feeble
minded for that. A contemptuous ma
| ton only wonders why the doctors did
not instruct the midwife to strange il.
1t was too weak and diseased to live,
anyway.
Throughout the country today there
is but one verdict and one feeling The
message is only worth notice because
it marks the transfer of the Spanish
question to Congress, where it belongs,
and everybody is glad to think that it
is out of the hands of an insincere and
discredited President.
But now that il is before Congress
for action. the American people look
for immediate, non-partisan and vigor-
Gus action. They demand exactly two.
and only two. things: that Spain shall
be whipped and driven from the West
ern Hemisphere. as punishment for
the crime of the Maine massacre. and
that the independence, or, at least the
beliigerency, of the Cuban Republic
shall be recognized.
On these two points more than nine
ty-nine per cent of our national citi-
zenship is a unit. There should be
neither doubt, hesitation nor DELAY in
Congress in registering the will of the
people. The time has come to show
whether there is any true blue Ameri-
can patriotism in the body or not 1t
will require a lot Of it to surmount the
difficulties Of the situation; but, given
that. they may easily be overcome
The Spanish bond conspiracy has
transferred its headquarters from the
White House TO the Capitol. Its few
Tory coparceners in the Senate and
House. aided by financially fat lobby
and the influence of the Administration,
already are attempting to gain time for
Hanna and Spain by trying to throw
the apple of diseord among the sena-
tors and members. The trick is trans
parent. and should be met with the
solid front Of honest purpose. Legis- |
lators of all parties alike, who wish to
do their duty by flag and country.
should lose not a minute in getting to-
gether on the two propositions which |
alone interest the country. And this /
ought to be not only feasible. but a /
matter Of course.
The Administration is determined to |
begin war, if that be unavoidable, in /
such way as to warrant Mr.. Mckinney /
i'm treating the Cuban patriots in arms 4
as enemies and outlaws. The American /
people insist that they shall have rec
ognition sufficient to give them the
rights Of honorable belligerents. and
thus make them friends and allies. The
President is treating them as enemies
now, and always has done so. Con-
gress should have more respect for
iecency, humanity and for the feelings
IF gallant soldiers who would have CIV
IN complete independence to their per-
secuted country months ago if it had
lot been for the creatures who have in
1uenced the President to shape his
policy in the interests of the Spanish
bond sharks.
On the other point, retribution for
he massacre of Havana harbor, we do
lot hear Of any difference of opinion.
hat must be avenged. Not next week
r next month, but now. Mr.. Mckinley
should be instructed to recall Gen.
Noodford and to hand Senior Polo his
passports this very day, and tomorrow
ur fleet ought TO be pounding Moro
'astle off the face of the earth.
America calls not for words and |
peeches for the Congressional, Record
0 enshrine in junk shop history, but
Instant action
Remember the Maine.