The record-union., 1898-07-24

to such a situation interpose itself with
the arms of war to compel another 10
do justice to it's own? That question
the American people decided for them
selves when they interviewed between
Spain and her oppressed and revolving
subjects. other Intervention had fail
ed; the appeals for mercy and justice
had been scorned. 1t remained for the
American people to justify themselves
in interposing with force. This inter-
vention, therefore. was based upon a
fundamental principle, the right of all
men to be dealt with justly by rul-
ing Power
Logically, this doctrine would demand
Of us in the assumed office of protector
and promoter of justice for the op
pressed, intervention in all places and
at all times. But this apparent obliga-
tion is limited by the contiguity Of our
nation to that in which the injustice
duty that we acknowledge to be bind
ing upon us being asserted by other
nations more nearly situated and more
closely related to oppressed and tyran-
nized States and peoples. We have said
that the Armenian troubles operated
upon US only to the excitation of our
sympathies, and that the struggle of
Greece 30 be free from foreign domina
tion and oppression excited in US only
pity sympathy, and the activity that
gives but moral support, because there
are near neighbors to Asia Minor and
the Grecan peninsula, upon whom the
same duty is incumbent that we feel
we must discharge toward Cuba.
Moreover, our commercial injury. the
unwarranted punishment of our people
incidental to the injustice Of Spain in
Cuba, gave US plain, immediate reason
for demanding a change Of conditions.
that we might have the relief to which
justice entities US. Our war with Spain.
therefore. was with twofold cause, that
Of necessity growing out of our posi-
ton geographically. and out of our
sense of justice and humanity. Our
war with Spain represents our concep-
ton Of the right of men to betterment,
the right to be undisturbed in our trade
with a neighboring people.
We appealed to the arts of peace long
and exhaustively. We tried the arts
= g 7;,1o,,,oo,v ,,pcuooaSrfu1ly We oyeO
went so far as to supplicate for mercy
and justice for our neighbors, aside
from justice for our commercial inter-
ests which were so severely suffering
by reason of the long continued insur-
rection at our very doors. The disturb
ance had become intolerable in the
neighborhood. 1t was more than an
noying; it was unbearable because of
the monstrous crueIties and the awful
ness of human suffering to which we
were witness, and we, therefore assert
ed the right to have the nuisance abat-
ed.
Our geographical relation to the scene
Of the disturbance, our sense Of justice
and duty to our neighbor, and the i'm
mediate injuries we suffered justified
US in appealing to force to secure for
Cuba that which is it's inherent right,
justice and humane treatment. If, when
tranquility on the islands is secured the
new conditions justify US. as is likely,
we may find it the part Of wisdom and
mercy to retain control, especially If 1t
develops, as is expected, that the major
portion Of the people prefer American
rule to the peril of local dissension.
Conditions, interest, sympathy, then,
prompted us TO this war, and justify
US in it's prosecution These same infiu-
ences will operate upon other nations
in all future time, and war will always
remain as a last resort.
Realizing all this, and conscious Of
the truth that the disposition Of the
strong is to encroach upon the rights
Of the weak; conscious, also. that de-
fense is a natural right, natures obli-
cation, nations will continue to prepare
for war that peace, security and JUS
tice may be maintained There will be
no beating Of swords into plowshares
until man shall cease to be unjust, and
be incapable of inhumanity, nor until
that ideal condition is attained, in
which each to his fellow will accord his
right, and each to the other be perfect
ly just out of conviction of right and
justice, and profound love for those di-
vine attributes.
Garr9 9rnantO having fought for and