The herald., 1898-03-31
guarding Of American honor ana Ameri-
can dignity.
WHAT THE COUNTRY WANTS

First it should be said that in the alb
stract 1t does not want war, but 1t does
want the barbarous methods employed
by Spain in Cuba to cease, the Cuban
patriots to achieve their liberties and
the Queen of the Antilles to become
an island republic. On these points the
sentiment is nearly universal and is
emphatic. The nation is willing to feed
the starving reconcentrados, but not
while Spanish cruelty is increasing their
numbers and adding to their miseries.
To put stop to atrocities and secure
Cuban nationality the American people
are willing to engage in war, notwith-
standing its destructiveness and hor-
rors.
It is the general opinion, at least, that
the explosion Of the Maine with the
destruction of the lives of brave Ameri-
cans was brought about by design, and
was directly the work, if not of Spanish
officials, of some person OF persons in the
confidence of such officials. That disas-
ter to our navy may be an incident mere
ly Of the conflict that has been raging for
three years, but the great causes of lib
erty and humanity, aside from that Incl
dent, demand our most energetic inter-
position.
The country also wants, and is in need
of, a president who will respect public
sentiment and give effect to its demands.
In vindication of American rights and
honor Jefferson laid and persisted IN
maintaining an embargo, though one
section of the nation was almost up in
arms against it. and for the same reason
Madison urged a declaration OF war
against the most formidable of powers,
though the opposition in that same Sec
ton was active and hostile. Mckinley
has defied an almost unanimous pubic
sentiment in pursuing policy that
would continue Cuba dependency of
Spain, and prolong and enlarge sufter-
ing that provokes the tears of human
ity. If he yields it will not be volun-
tarily, but through coercion.
To those uniformed of the influences
which have controlled him his action is
inexplicable. There seems to be power
somewhere more influential with him
than the wishes of the mass of the Ameri-
can people. The silence Of Hanna is
Suggestive; he has manifested no &C
cordance with the public feeling.
The country has been convinced of his
great influence at the presidential man
sion for many months. The secrets Oh
his power are not unknown. Hanna and
his friends contributed the money to pay
off McKinley's debts about two years
before he became president, and he pro-
cured contributions of fabulous sums for
campaign purposes, by means of
which victory for his candidate was
achieved( 1t is unpleasant to say this,
but it is better to do SO than to let the
facts remain aforementioned. The coun-
try wants a president who is not under
obligations to any one for pecuniary
assistance, one who has no strings on
him. The effect upon the prices OF stocks
and bonds in a great crisis is not worthy
of consideration. 1t Is true that war
seriously disturbs business. but for three
years the Cuban war has injured our
commerce and destroyed large amount
of the property of American citizens.
Heroic action will put finale to Spanish
dominion in the western hemisphere, to
the sufferings of hundreds of thousands
of women and children, and relieve the
commerce of the world from continued
and grievous injury.