New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-10
SULLIVAN TO THE FRONT.

Yesterday the war assumed an entirely new
phase A phase which Spain will do well 10
ponder somewhat seriously. A phase when
thrilled the whole continent and sent up the
stock market The Hon. John l.. Sullivan, IN
the columns of his organ, The New-fork
World" took the field. II may have seemed
strange to some persons that during the last
three weeks while this war has been fragrant
in Printing House Square and many of our most
popular barrooms Mr.. Sullivan has made no
demonstration; has not emerged into the public
eve The public eye missed him, but 1t has
never winked That Is one OF the most con.
vincing proofs Of our capacity as people for
being outwardly calm in a crisis. Mr. Sullivan
has not been ignorant Of the fact that he was
missed and that the crisis needed him. But he
tells US, with the ingenious frankness for which
he is 80 celebrated, that he could not respond
to what, though unuttered, he knew was pub
lie demand for his appearance, because he has
been most Of the time In tears. He says he
woke up three weeks ago." and when they
handed him a paper containing the account OF
the Maine disaster he cried like child.
Eyes, Mr. Editor and friends" he says. Il. John
a. Sullivan, wept as though my heart would
break. I could not help 1t. I simply had to
do It." But now, after three weeks OF weep
ing, he says, In burst Of patriotic enthusiasm:
II can weep no more That time has passed.
Now is the tine 10 act" Then, as II to show
that the patriotic fervor which has been oozlng
from his eyes has not subsidized but only found
an outlet at his mouth he cries: BLOW every
Spaniard to hell!'
Sometimes" he says, IT think that we are
lacking in true patriotism" What ought we
to DO" he inquiries; and promptly answer
ing the inquiry adds: GO and lick Spain"
Herein he shows an ardent patriotism, but II
will be observed that he Is not entirely In touch
with the newspapers now so gloriously prosecut-
ing the war Their programme Is TO stay here
and lick Spain. They have been doing It once In
fifteen minutes for the last three weeks, only
Spain is so singularly obtuse that she doesn't
know 1t. Can we do t?' says John L.. and
again answers his own question with "Yes;
we can lick her in fifteen minutes" And no
one who knows John L. will doubt IT,. He him
self has been known to click her" several times
in fifteen minutes And he has hosts Of friends
who will help him do It. When he says Lets
lick her. the whole crowd moves promptly and
rapidly TO the front. IF ! were President Of
the United States" he continues. II would have
settled this matter long ago" There is entire
"ly too much newspaper talk ard too little
action" Referring with pardonable pride to
his own career, he says: when l used TO be
"ln my prime I did not talk fight. l simply
fought. l am willing to fight again II only
could llc, Spain would be so happy l would
GLADLY lay down and die then"
From this we infer that he is willing to take
the war off the hands Of the newspapers which
are now prosecuting It so valantly vigorously
and glorously and carry ii on himself TO n con-
cluslon in less than fifteen minutes This is
the sort Of talk that restores confidence, sets
the stock market humming, and ought to make
Spain very thoughtful. So sudden n finish
may not be entirely satisfactory to the news
paper publishers whose circulation is increas-
ing hourly while tho war continues: but it will
be a great thing for everybody else BY all
means let John L. Sullivan he commissioned to
dick Spain" That will please tho whole coun-
try TO such an extent that even If he is deter
mined Immediately afterward to LAY down
and de- It will not diminish the general Joy.