New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-05
THE GROUND FOR INTERVENTION,
1T IS HUMANITY. NOT MERE REVENGE FOR THE
MA1NE-THAT HOWEVER AN INcEN-
TIVE 10 ZEAL AND vALoR- --.s

TIVE TO ZEAL AND vALOR- $500.
To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: The editorial with the caption. "Rememocr
the Maine" Issue OF Sd inst). Is. In my Judgment
40 fatty contradictory 10 Christian sentiment as
u call .or protest. and though only one Of your
many stanch admirers and friends. yet II may be
shall voice their sentiment. too. when say that
such a vndictlve article was petty and unworthy
the lofty position ethicay taken by The New-fora
Tribune since this unhappy war doomed up
In the first place the Maine may not have been
blown up by Spanish treachery-iet us give tho
Cas,ilan his due--ani. in the next place. Il sGch
were the case Il would be sorry thing 20 go %
war about particularly when Spain had already
agreed 10 submit tho matter TO arbitration. pleds-
ing herself In advance 70 accept the verdict % lis
passionate jury. and burylng the while with tokens
OF sincere sorrow. the victims o. that explosion
The issue OF the Maine must be read ont OF court
Does the case then fall? BY means. Re, Is
stick 10 our high standard OF action taken when we
began this war; that It is for humanitys sake, and
not cloud the issue by any intrusion OF vengeful
spite.
Now. why have We interviewed in a family
between a mother and OF her rebellious chill
dren? Is II because the mother turned on Us with
the broomstick? Is II because We coveted the por-
ton OF the maltreatei child? Is Il because the ON
OF this ceaseless domestic conflict was hurting our
comfort and prosperity? or is II because thae
mother was beating the child to death? Plainly.
W
reasons not with the worst. We fighting FOR
principle not 10 pay back In the coin ~ carnage
the supposed deed OF perfdy IN Havana Haroor. We
are lighting for principle, not FOR greed or moro
territory II would. indeed have been just 10 have
entered upon this war TO stop further injury 10
our commerce caused by the prolongaton OF this
conflict between Cuba and the mother country.
But even the Justification of the motive OF sel,-de-
fence not sufficient to cause this Nation !"
take up against Spain. We waited I'll nu-
mainly pleaded and We could resist no longer ana
this Is the grand and glorious justification OF inter-
venton. 1t Jars to hear Remember the Maine
uttered as a slogan. We will remember the Name
ror all centuries TO come. and decorate the graves
al Key West with flowers and flags and oedew
them with our tears but We will not descend from
10 the low level OF other centuries and efete civi
cations An eye for an eye and a tooth for too'A,
Christian nations. X. DIV. MAI'lIAhi'
Lenox Mass, May g. 1895
(Our correspondent utters sentiments that
have been uttered In these columns over ana
over again. The prime grounds for interveh-
ton are those specified by the President IN MS
message to Congress and mere revenge FOR INC
Maine is not among them Yet. 10 say that 'h'
memory OF the Maine is not to play It's part !"
this war, and is not to serve incentive 20
zeal and valor would be to say that this Nation
is to divest itself of human nature. And !"
either the ability or the desire TO do thar w
have not yet attained.-Ed.I
DUTY OF NATIONAL GUARDSMEN.
1T is FIRST OF ALL TO THE ORGANIZATION AND
THE GOVERNMENT SAYS A CORRESPONDENT.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
sir: In a recent letter to The Tribune M~
Lowell claims that the first duty OF marrieo 'he
who are members OF the State Militia is to the"