The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-21

doubts her willingness to plunge into the
combat heroically and our ability 10 take
care of ourselves when once in. The think
ing American people are with Mckinley
and Long and Captain Sigsbee and General
Lee IN the cautious stand they are taking
IN this grave crisis. Some people seem TO
thlnk that patriotism consists in undue
haste and reckless rush and denunciation
without evidence, and passionate precipita-
Ilon without forethought and thorough IN
yesugatfon. That is not patriotism at all.
1t is more like boyish enthusiasm. One
Jngo, writing for the Cincinnati Post, says
We need q Lincoln now, meaning, suppose,
that Lincoln would go to war at once. But
Lincoln was not that kind of man. This
Warlike writer has forgotten or does not
know, that when Lincoln was President at
the beginning, or just before the civil war,
ne TOOK an extremely conservative and eau
uOuS stand on the war question, and he
was urged by great men of both parties to
put down the rebellion and free the slaves,
and to at once begin the war. long before
ne would consent TO plunge his country IN
TO a bloody conflict. He was even accused
by unkind and thoughtless demagogues of
unpatriOtism and disunion sentiments. But
Lincoln was calm and cool and clear, as
We'll as wise and patriotic. Lincoln knew
best.
War is barbarous brutal. destructive and
terrible. 1t is neither herioc nor brave to
want TO go to war just for the sake of fight
ing and whipping some nation. The lance,
the coat of mail, the battle AK the bayonet,
the sword the musket no longer have the
charm they had during the brutal days of
so-called chivalry. Instead of being the
then, they are now looked upon as the
relics of barbariSm. 1t is heroic it is brave
IL is patriotic to desire to be at peace with
all nations and with the world In war the
highest type of patriotism is found, not in
aggressive, but in defensive, warfare al
ways. Instance DeOnidaS and his brave
Spartan band, the Duke of Wellington and
our own revolutionary heroes. But, while
aggressive warfare for conquests sake
merely is vice, yet defensive warfare may
pc ana generally is a virtue. Whenever our
nonor as Nation is aSSaied and our brave
boys killed, and those who may be near us
ana part OF US struggling for liberty, but
weak and helpless, are slaughtered and
starved, then defensive warfare becomes
patriotism and heroic. Even then it should
De INDUCED in not so much for vengeance
sake or for the sake of furnishing and ex-
terminating the strong and wrong as for
saving and helping the weak and right and
preserving the honor and safety of our own
country.
If it should come to light that Spanish
government treachery blew up the Maine
III Havana harbor then Spain should
promptly pay the penalty, coming to our
own terms, or else Uncle Sam should and
DOUBTLESS would declare war Immediately
hurry his American soldiers to the scene of
action, lombard the city of Havana tell
the Yankee braves to leap on the long-suf-
1erlng isle of Cuba and everlastingly thrash
ana drive away the cruel Spaniards, plant
"Old Glory on MORO Castle and in the
name of the United States of America de-
clare cuba free-and see how quick they
Will do it. But until this has to be done if
ever, let calm discretion be the better part
or Valor This is no time for inhammatory
speeches.. President Mckinley, Secretary
Long, General Lee and Captain Sigsbee are
all brave and patriotic as well as safe and
wise men. and will see that American
honor is defended and the death of brave
way JONATHAN K EyT,rtT -
Vincennes, Ind, Feb. 49,