The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1898-03-26
War Ger tain.

Last week the Advocate said war with
Spain was very probable and gave reasons
for the oninion. Before another issue OF tins
paper goes ont it is very probable that the
decisive step will be taken by this govern
ment that will provoke hostlities on the part
Of Spain.
The disaster to the Maine will not be the
incentive to action upon the part oil inc
limited States. The report of the board OF
;nonirv is in the hands of the President, but
will not be made public until Monday, when
if will be submitted 10 Congress, along with a
message, and will be Il separate and distinct
question for settlement.
Mr.. Mckinley, by the advice OF his Cabinet
and leading Senators and Representatives,
has about concluded that the cause OF
humanity demands the intervention OF the
United States to stop the war III CUBA.
Recognition of the insurgents as belllgerah'S
is not deemed sufficient, and armed interven-
ton has abou. been decided upon.
The christian nations OF Europe stood idly
bv and saw christian Greece overwhelmed by
the Musselmen. and saw Il part OF her terri
iory appropriated and large war indemnity
exacted. There was much cruelty perpe-
trated, and yet no protest even was made by
this government.
There has been no more cruelty practlced
by the Spanish than results in any war, tor,
as Gen. Sherman remarked to lady IN
Georgia. when. on his march to the sea,
she appealed to him to cease the cruelty
madam. war means cruelty. The war
mon the part of the Cuban insurgents has
been one of devastation and destruction In
stead of seeking Cuban independence they
seem to have been more intent IN destroying
the industries of the island.
Spaim is a christian country. but the nN'Ir-
cent leaders would scarcely be included und"r
The head of christians. There is much suffer
ing among the people. bat the insurgents and
not Spain are responsible for it, During the
late war in this country. one of the war plans
of the Federal government was starvation "l
the South Her ports were blockaded. her
cotton destroyed or carried off, the crops IN
the field were ruined and every mill WAS
burned that the Federal army could reach
Sherman's march to the sea was marked
nv ruin and desolation. and the same Is true
of Sherdan's march up the Valley OF Nlr-
ginia. The rebel troops IN the held we're
literally starved into submission by lack OF
food and medical supplies.
While our people can Sympathize with the
starving multtudes Of Cuba and even with
the people struggling for independence ana
self.goyernment, it is very doubtful If tins
government has any right to intervene with
force. The fact that Cuba lies near our
shores and our trade relations are close, does
moi alter the case. unless this government Is
IN embark in the business Of regulating affairs
in the Western Hemisphere. Our policy for
MANY years was peace with all nations ana
entangling alliances with none. For nearly va
century we attended strictly to our own aHarS,
Int latterlv we have been inter meddllng with
aga;rs of other Governments and endeavoring
to reach out to the seas for new possessions.
The purchase of Alaska was a mistake. The
annexation of Hawaii would be another, and
it is problematical whether our intervention III
Spanish affairs in Cuba would not be costly
error. There could be but one termination
olthe difficulty if armed intervention is made
the Independence of Cuba. But the protec-
ton of the island for all time to come would
be ours also, and it might be II very costly
matter for this government.
Our own affairs are sufficient to engage the
wisdom of our statesmen. The diversified
interests of the people North South East
and West. make it difficult TO legiSIate with
satisfaction to all. and the unrest of the
neOple on matters of finance and taxation and
the tendency to Capitalization of state and
corporate power, is gradually growing and
being intensified. In the event of war these
matters Tor a time would be dropped and the
people stand as one man for the government,
but they would suddenly arise upon the dawn
of peace, and again become the subjects of
deep agitation and eventually Of a revolution
in affairs. by the ballot or otherwise. Class
legislation, corporate greed. unjust taxation,
currency contraction and unusual powers
exercised by the courts are rapidly creating u
crisis in our internal affairs, and the end is
not far distant.