The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1898-04-28
THE CAUSE.

Many people are under the impres
sion that the United States is going
to war with Spain on behalf OF the
people of Cuba, solely losing sight OF
the fact that this country is moved
as we'll by the large interests 1T has
at stake. Because of this oversight,
some are inclined to question the
right of the United States to make
upon Spain the demands that have
been made, involving the surrender
of sovereignty over an island .that
has been in her possession tor hum
dreds of years, and in many minds
there is some doubt as to whether or
not we are about to exercise unwar-
ranted Intervention.
This misconception is largely due
to the widespread sympathy which
exists in this country for the strug-
Cling Cubans and to the memorable
fight made in Congress for the recog-
milton of the independence OF the
existing Cuban Republic; and, too,
J to the necessary association OF the
Cuban cause with any argument
touching our own interests in the
premises.
The ultimatum to Spain is based
upon the declaration OF the repre-
sentatfves of the people of the United
States that "the abhorrent condi-
tions which have existed for more
than three years in the Island OF
} Cnba. so near our own borders, have
shocked the moral sense of the
| people of the United States, have
been disgrace to Christian civiliza-
ton, eliminating, as they have, In
the destruction of a United States
battle ship, with 266 of its officers
and crew, while on a friendly visit in
the harbor of Havana, and cannot
longer be endured
Commenting upon the idea adj
vanced that the war will be "a war
waged by one people to make an
other people free," the Washington
Post says:
| 'This nation has never assumed
| the right to redress the wrongs OF
other nations where it's own rights
were not involved. The close prox-
unity of Cuba to our southern coast
has imposed on us the expensive and
troublesome duty OF doing guard
duty for Spain for the last three
years, and there was no hope of end
ing that situation except by inter
vention. Our marshals and detec-
tives have been employed in looking
up violations of the neutrality laws,
and our courts have tried offenders
and sent them to prison. We did
| this because it was our duty to en-
| force the laws, but such a condition
could not go on forever. 1t had
| lasted until it became into!erable,
and there was not a glimpse of hope
! that Spain would subduP the insur-
rection, and thereby release US from
a chronic and costly affection. The
starvation of the reconcentrados
and the destruction of the Maine
Shocked the moral sense of the PEG
pie of the United States and dis
| graced Christian civilization There
fore we go to war because 'abhorrent
conditions cannot longer be en-
dured'-go to war to abate an inter
national nuisance, to compel Spain
| to get out Of Cuba because her rule
of that island has become incom-
| patible with the dignity and duty of
| the United States In discharging
| our obligation to ourselves We shall
set the Cuban people free, and it will
be grand result of our sacrifices.
But if Cuba were a thousand miles
| away, an instruction of her people
and the horrors of Weylerism would
not draw this nation from the walks
and ways of peace. Doubtless, we
are rather a good people, as ma lions
go, but we do not go to war primari-
ly to help any other people"