Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-04-05
WAITING for the Message.

The Rubicon seems to be an elusive
stream. When we think we are actual
~ on the brink and about to embark
for passage we discover that there IS
us and the shore. Two or three days
ago war seemed inevitable. but now
announced that the maintenance of
peace with honor is far from impos-
sible. The message Of the President.
accompanied by text of Spain's reply
to our demands for Cuba's freedom.
was not sent to Congress, yesterday. as
was expected. 1t may be sent today.
though it is more likely that it will not
reach Congress until tomorrow. or pos
sibly eTen until Thursday. In the
meantime the country as we'll as Con-
gress is awaiting ii with feverish
anxiety. realizing that it is likely to
he the climax of the crisis and bring To
an end the demoralizing uncertainty
that pervades the situation.
Powerful influences for peace are be
ing brought to bear upon the Presiden:
and upon the members of Congress.
This is right The country wants
peace. provided ii be peace with honor
and peace at the American price. not
peace at any price. The freedom of
cuba is our price of peace with Spain.
There is no doubt that the President as
we'll as Congress is most firmly deter
mined on that point, though he may
feel that the occasion warrants more
delay than the aggressive spirit of Con
Gress is willing, to grant. Congress and
the country can best prove their pa
triotism 10y standing behind the PreSi-
dent and giving him unwavering sup
port at this crisis. 1t will be a greater
victory to free Cuba without war than
termined to free Cuba without war if
possible. with war if necessary. The
loss of the Maine is another matter,
though inseparably connected with
Cuban freedom in the popular, and ap-
pareEtly in the congressional, mind.
For this atrocious crime we can settle
with Spain fully and more at leisure
when Cuba's urgent needs are met
What will he recommended in the
In any-case, Congress ought to support
the President and follow his lead to the
end. as it has thus far. The country
trusts William Mckinley. and Congress
Will not be true to its high duty if it
does less. If he says a peaceful solu-
ton of our difficulties with Spain is
possible and asks for more time for
negotiations. then the highest interests
of this country, of Cuba. and of hu-
manity demand that his policy he al
lowed to prevail. But if he believes
Spanish promises are a sham and that
her excuses and propositions are diplo-
matte lies of the characteristic Castlian
style, then he may be relied upon to
urge a course of action certain to he
approved by Congress- This is no time
for an unreasonable war frenzy. nor is
it honesty to pretend that the situation
is not critical to the extreme. Will,
we wait for the message that means 50
much let us keep cool and hope for the
best All the Warlike preparations DO
not mean that war is here. The Span
ish tiotila is still far away from the
West Indies The right man is Presi-
dent. and if Congress gives him the
support which he deserves and which
the whole country urges. we may De
sure that whether the outcome is war
or peace the nations honor will be
maintained.