The record-union., 1898-04-22
THE IMPENDING WAR.


the United States, without loss of honor
to the nation, can now see but little
hope remaining Of peace being main
tained with it's corresponding prosper
tty.
We are about to engage in war, and
while it may be long and bitter, there
is fair reason to believe that it may be
made short, sharp and decisive.
There must now be no fur
ther parley This nation has
been more than lenient with Spain
Basing its demands preceded by kindly
and patient requests extending over
years Of entreaty, upon broad, humane
and benefcent grounds, the United
States has sought of Spain nothing not
within the bounds of compassion, mercy
and humanity for the people Of Cuba
We have, with a nobility Of charac-
ter we may speak of without boasting,
put aside our many personal claims
against the monarchy; have swallowed
affronts without number; not pressed
our claims for death of our citizens due
alike to Spanish action and incapacity
to protect; have pocketed our losses
running up into millions because of the
destruction of American property with
In Spanish Jurisdiction and under the
guarantee of Spanish protection.
We have simply. firmly asked Spain
to give that measure of liberty to Cuba
consistent with conditions, and that
would insure peace and content among
the people Of the island, and the prose
cution Of the peaceful arts of commerce
between them and our own people. The
same motive that quickened our heart
beats of sympathy for Hungary and in
cited our respectful solicitation to Aus
tria; the same motive that urged US
on in the appeal to European powers to
stay the hand of the assassin from the
Armenian throat, is the actuating force
with US to-day.
The sentiment that gave our sympa-
thies to Greece in her struggle for lib
erty, and prompted Us in that noble
appeal we made in her behalf just be-
fore she was granted her independence
from Turkish domination; the benevo-
1ence that moved US to sympathize with
the Cretans, and to take an active part
in preventing the Samoans from falling
a prey to greedy nations; that inspires
US to extend the hand Of greeting to
the new born republic of Hawaii, and
that has characterized American senti-
ment in all it's relations with humanity,
from the freeing of slaves to the hail
ing as brethren of all peoples assert
ing the right Of self f-government-these
sentiments and sympathies inspire US
with regard to Cuba to-day.
We have not, as well we might,
pressed with anger and indignation the
claim that the destruction of the Maine
has not been accounted for by Spain
consistently with her freedom from re-
sponsibility. We did not, as we'll we
might have done intervened long ago
to put an end to the barbarous meth
DDS of Spanish warfare in Cuba on the
grounds of humanity. We have dis
claimed any idea of conquest of the
island and all intention Of vicious as
sault upon any possessions Of the
crown. We have proved our sincerity
by pouring out treasure and supplies
to relieve distress in Cuba, due wholly
20 Spain's violation of the rules of mod.
ern warfare, and her insensibility tc
the sufferings of her own people
Patience had ceased to be a virtue;
further delay would be criminal me-
glect. At the last, convinced, as is al
the world outside of the Spanish penin-
sula, that Spain's rule in Cuba is incap.
able, unprogressive, inhumane and not
tolerable in the blaze of the light OF
the most progressive and enlightened
century of all history, we have asked
her to withdraw her forces and permit
that pacifcation of the island which
she has been unable to accomplish.
She has met our demand with insult
refusing to receive it by breaking of
diplomatic relations before formal pre-
sentation of the official papers could bt
made. Literally she has kicked Out
our Minister and rushed him out of the
country BY that act she set I'D E
state Of war, and emphasized it by
turning the prows of her navy toward
our waters with menace and threaten
ing.
A state of war in fact now exists. Il
is upon US. Hope of peace still fingers
but it is faint and feeting. In this su.
preme hour there can be but one senti
ment, and that wholly American. w,
must as one man stand by the Presi
dent. There must be no querulous crit
icising, no carping and needless fault
finding; no whining and objecting. Il
the face of an advancing foe selfish
ness, personal ideas of right and wrons
policies, Incorporate publication ant
impatient defamation, must give plac
to patriotic trust prompt assistance
instant response to call of duty, un
grudging pouring out of treasure an'
blood
We are one people united to-day fo
one cause, the stripping from the gate
way Of the gulf of the last remnant o
Spanish assertion to own and control
What matters it that for centuries th'