The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-04-21
THURSDAY. APRIL p, 1895.
THE WAR SPIRIT IN VIRGINIA.


ly under the class OF facts described I'D
the celebrated chapter upon Snakes ia
ireland" There were DO snakes in Ire
land. and there d. no war spirit in VIZ
ginia. In fact It IS difficult TO believe that
there is any subject upon which there
could be more an prevailing unanimi'y
than we find in Virginia I'm opposition 10
sending our troops and our ships down TO
Cuba. 10 hasten "a settlement. after our
own fashion. Of an intestine trouble
which can only. under any circumstances
he settled by time and mutual concessions
ana which could best be done peaceably
but which the United States is deter
mined 10 enforce al once and by arms.
We hear from Lynchburg that there is
no war spirit there, and that the mill
tary companies are shocked at the idea
Of being dragged of 10 fight for people
in whom they feel only the Temotest in
terest.
The same thing IS reported from Lex
ington. where it is stated that not man
can be found who is I'm favor Of war.
The same thing. according TO THE
News" IS true Of stanton. The same
thing is true Of Charlottesville. Indeed
a well-informed gentleman states that IN
the neighborhood west of Charlottesville
the only volunteers that could be certain
~ gotten there. would be those who are
prepared to lynch the congressman who
were so eager to get this country Into
trouble. from which they are confident
mil Ia ~
A gentleman writes us from Harrison
burg that There is no sentiment Tor war
with Spain in the Valley. Every express
sion Of opinion that ] have heard Is to
the effect that our interests in cuba are
TOO small TO Justify us i'm resortlng to
war. To say that we intervene for the
sake Of humanity in behalf Of the starv-
ing Cubans Is TO forget the many valu-
able lives that will be lost and immense
treasure sunk before peace comes again.
There are no volunteers for war in this
part of the state
We hear from Norfolk that the same
state OF feeling exists there. If any one
has found a war spirit in Richmond he
has not disclosed it TO any Of those
whose duty Sc is 20 find out the news.
The fact Is Congress has forced the
issue with the President. and the strug-
gle has been between the parties FOR some
political advantage based upon the pre-
sumption that there was a strong war
spirit In the country and 50 We are in
volved in a controversy from which it
will be difficult TO recede without loss
of character and the respect OF the ma
tons. and above all Of our own self re-
spect.
ii the President had been left with dis
erection TO use the armed power of the
United States IL it should become neces-
sary. sufficient pressure could have been
brought TO bear upon Spain 60 secure re-
lief for the suffering rec0nccntradoes and
TO all the people OF cuba such liberty as
would have been satisfactory 10 reason
able men. hut our peremptory demand
thai Spain shall vacate Cuba At ONCE
brings an instantaneous crisis. which
even II successful. after the design and
contemplation Of those who passed It,
viii place the United States i'm the position
OF trueUlent bully who would admit Of
nothing except az obedience 20 his own
dictum. and who was Goth ignorant Of
and Indifferent TO the rights OF others.
1t h a melancholy position for Us TO
occupy. and our only hope OF not suffer
ing the consequences Of a blunder that
Is akin 20 crime viii depend upon the
wisdom and prudence and moderation Of
the President The terms under which
Spain shall leave Cuba have not been de-
lined. and Il Is possible that an opening
may be found along the line OF compen-
sation for her public property which may
lead TO the avoidance OF useless war
We see no other escape from actual war
or the utter humiliation Of the Spanish
people who win consequently be our
enemies until the crack OF doom"
We recognize the expediency and indeed
the necessity OF this government taking
some energetic steps 10 correct the flag
rant evils existing in cuba. by which we
have been iniuriously affected. but our
objection Is TO the perompiory order for
submission which has been given To a
brave and proud people. whose conspicu-
Gus humiliation was not an essential par,
Of the programme Of the liberation OF
Cuba. And we believe that 10 every pa