Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-03-28

dersonville and Libby prison horrors are
repeated on large scale. Tens Of thou
sands increased to hundreds Of thou
sands of those miserably who perish,
crying How long, Oh Lord how long?
Through 1t all, in obedience to the de-
mands of international law, our re-
public declined to interfere.
The situation became more and more
critical. Brutality became more brutal
Then our magnificent warship anchored
IN Havana harbor. She was there on a
friendly message, Suddenly she is torn
and rent by a terrific explosion which
sends most Of her crew into eternity
without moments warning, and
throws the dark pail over hundreds of
hearthstones. Still our nation forbears.
She had appealed to Spain to stop her
barbarism for humanity's sake, but to
no purpose. National appeal, national
neutrality, national forbearance, ma
tional deliberation, this has been the
order No hasty action has been taken.
Congress has refused to be hurried. Our
noble president and his counselors have
declined to be moved byinfammatory ap-
peal or to be swerved by the cold calcu-
lating expostulations of Wall street. We
may well rejoice that men Of balance and
bravery are in charge Of the ship of
state.
In the face Of the facts, what is the
duty of the hour? 1t Is not revenge. 1t
is not retaliation. These are utterly alien
to the spirit OF American institutions and
antagonize our history and traditions.
In no spirit of wrath may we undertake
the solution of grave problems. No ven-
geance can make right the wrong suf-
fered. 1t is not the province of nation
to undertake work Of retributive JUS
tice. Our duty Is not to sacrifice more
life in defense of our offended honor.
War would not be justif1able If all we
gained should be the satisfaction of pun
ishing the offenders of our national
pride. Our duty is not the humiliation of
Spain. AS a Christian nation our mo-
tives must be far above all such consid-
erations.
What is the duty of the hour? First a
prohibitive protest against further
cruelties and barbaTities. The time of
forbearance has past. The cry Of the
starving and dying can not longer be
lost on dull or Indifferent ears. If only
the voice of thunder from lips Of brass
and iron can be heard in Spain, then we
have no alternative. (Applause) The ut
terance will be one not of vengeance or
wrath, but the roar of justice. If the eye
of Spain Is blind to human suffering,
lightning flash of the unsheathed sword
of righteousness.
A nation in the enjoyment of liberty
is under commission from heaven. If
she can fulfill that commission peace
fully. well, but If not, she dare not vio-
late her sense of right and justice by
shrinking from any ordeal which in the
providence of God she is called upon to
meet.
Another clear duty is the protection
of American citizens throughout the
world. 1t must be the fact that man
in any part of the civilized world under
the protection of the stars and stripes
shall feel safe. We cannot, dare not
ignore or treat lightly the insult to the
nation and the diabolical treachery
which the Havana harbor catastrophe
involves. Let it be heralded the wide
world over that any nation that per-
nlits the injury Of an American citizen,
does it at its peril. (Applause.) There
is no safety in any other course.
1t is our duty to support our govern
ment to the utmost in the present cri-
sis. Let no harsh word Of criticism be
spoken. Wise counselors are at the
helm Trust them. Loyalty to the
flag which, above all others on earth,
stands for the worth Of the individual,
untrammeled liberty and boundless lib
erty, is the manifest duty of every
American citizen. Great applause)
1t is our duty to practice the patriotic
graces of calmness and courage, and.
above all, to consecrate our all to the
interests Of humanity upon the nation s
altar. 1t is the duty Of every Christian
to appeal to the God of nations to give
wisdom and might and to fill every heart
with heroic purpose and fullness until
liberty and peace shall obtain through
out the earth. God save us from bar
barism, tyranny and treachery without
war, if possible; If not then may heaven
grant speedy victory to the right. ZAP
plause.)