Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1898-04-23
AWAITING THE SHOCK.

war Win DpdlH hdS DSSH dtSoh
plished. April, ominous and fateful,
finds us on the brink of an abyss Of
carnage. Not as in 1861, when friend
opposed friend, father differed from
son; not as in I775, when the colony
revolted against the mother nation;
but united, earnest. of one mind and
heart, differing as to details, but all
every shade of political opinion--de-
termined that CUBA MUST BE
FREE.
If war comes it will be contest for
hum anity.
The conditions are unprecedented
in the annals of history. There has
never been sentimental war. Self
ishness, national ACKNOWLEDGEMENT,
revenge, desire to burst the bonds
OF tyranny, indemnity for real or i'm
aginary wrongs. have, from time i'm
memorial, been the foundations upon
which Strife has erected his temple of
slaughter. Not so with us in the
contest upon which we are entering.
We expressly eliminate the idea of
indemnity (unwisely in our opinion),
and draw the sword for the sake of
suffering humanity. 1t is the impul-
sive, illoe ical, passionate resolve of a
proud race, who, having lost pa
thence, maddened by the wrongs infict-
ed upon defenceless people-strang-
ers to us-vast, vague, uncomfortable
wrongs, would right them with the
sword.
It is not a welcome war.
The President craved peace, which,
in the years to come will be his
crown of glory. The soldier who
rode by the side of Sheridan in the
Shenandoah knows the horrible reali-
ties of war. He saw property de-
stroyed, women and children home
less, starving, dead. He has heard
the crash of cannon, the sizz of shell,
and the purring music of the mimic
ball. Looking across the narrow
strait that separates Cuba from our
shores, he sees suffering unparalleled.
Whether the insurgents are right
or wrong, he need not stop to in
auire. No one accuses the reconcen-
trados of having done any wrong. 1t
is upon them, devoid of offence, upon
whom the horrors of war have de-
scended. The great heart of the Ma
ton is touched. The universal de-
mand is that such barbarity, such
savagery must cease.
If we strike, let it be the blow
which fells. If Spain persists IN re-
sisting our just demands, let her feel,
and that right early, that outraged
humanity is foe against which she
cannot stand Let our brave soldiers
and sailors have the opportunity and
all will be we'll. The honor of the
Nation is safe in their keeping. But
best of all, the hand at the helm is
steady. Nothing will be done in
haste nor will there be undue delay.
In this war we shall be alone.
Some nations sympathize with US,
while others are frenzied with rage.
They have no knowledge OF the finer
sense of humanity nor have they
slipped Of the nectar of liberty. 1t is
not unreasonable that this should be.
Neither is it unnatural that Spain
should be unwilling that the brightest
jewel should be plucked from her dia-
dem. But the love of freedom, latent
in all breasts, in full fruition on this
Western Hemisphere, has taken pos
! session of the Gem of the Antilles aud
will never depart thetefroni.
In this contest we are Americans,
all. No party dare attempt to ham
string the Administration now. The
time will, in its season be ripe for
criticism. The voyage over, the ship
in harbor-the seamanship may be
discussed. But with the storm in the
ascendant we must be one with the
President.
The agony ends today. President
Mckinley in his ultimatum, sent to
/ Snain Wednesday required an an