Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1898-05-12
Is there a Cause for War!
SwooPE, VA, April so.


Mr. Editor:
There is probably no one who can read
think and talk, who is capable Of forming
an opinion, who has not expressed it rel
ative to our attitude with Spain. "Thert
is no cause for war" is heard from every
side and from many of our best citizens
Let us look briefly into the late history
of Spanish misrule in Cuba. Every In
teligent man, woman and child who has
had access to the ordinary channels
through which such information is gen
orally imparted-the newspapers-ought
to know that for more than two years the
plan of the Spanish government to starve
women, children and noncombatants was
begun. Is it not a fact that for two
years the process of Imprisonment of the
reconcentrados and their starvation has
proceeded until nearly four hundred thou
sand innocent, helpless women, children
and noncom batants have been starved to
death. Millions of dollars of our legiti-
mate commerce have been swept from
the high seas and all too within ninety
miles of our shore. Isn't it surprising
that with all these facts staring us in the
face we still hear men who love the eagle
on the dollar, but fail to recognize the
one on his flag, say there is no cause for
war. Let us not forget too that when
order of concentration came they i'm
prisoned about 500 American citizens
W ith the recOncentr adOs and absolutely
refused to allow them to go out and earn
a legitimate and honest living. Would
not any other self respecting nation in
the world have ordered their immediate
release and better treatment. But what
did our government do? Upon the sug-
gestion of the President didn't she take
$50, 600 Of the peoples money out Of the
treasury of the United States and trem-
blingly beg permission Of Spain the poor
privilege of feeding our citizens Amerl-
can bread Oh Spaish soil. Does history
produce any other such record in all the
world, such humiliating facts?
Isn't it true, too. that every effort that
has been made by the President to restore
peace has been construed by Spain as an
act of cowardice, and absolute and con-
elusive evidence that We are afraid Of
that great and mighty power, and every
such act Of careful consideration on our
part has made Spain more persistent in
her efforts, more cruel to her own people
and more insulting to US.
Last, but not least, comes our battle
ship Maine that went down with 26S of
gallant sailors with her. We as a nation
thought at the time it was Spanish
tTeachery, and many Of US said so. But
others said, "served her right she had no
business there.' Was she not there by
right of custom, OF rendered hospitality,
and also by treaty contract? She had an
absolute right to be there. Look at her,
the day passed on, and at its close she
in the pride of her strength rode the har
Dor messenger of peace. Not one mes
sag accompanied that vessel that WAS
inconsistent with the national honor of
Spain. Our President had not ever sug-
gested any definite plan by which this
ship might be guided lest he might injure
our relations with Spain. Our only OBJ
ject was to restore peace, which is honor
able to all nations. The night stole On
whose gloom was wrapped in midnight
darkness. What natural and proper
time for Spanish valor. Asleep in a sup
posed friendly harbor lay our brave. he
roic men. Without challege to try
their courage. Without being whipped in
honorable battle they were treacherOusly
bloWed, burned, slaughtered and drowned
without chance to die fighting for life,
without a moment to say pray. In the
twinkling OF an eye they were hurled into
the presence of their God and maker.
Does any one for moment claim that
the responsibility does not fall upon
Spain? That ship was in Spanish waters
and over Spanish SOIL Was not the har-
Dor owned and controlled by Spain as
well as the very explosives that blew that
vessel up? Whether it was a torpedo or
a mine, it was owned and located by
Spain and exploded by Spanish officials IL
charge, and Spain should pay the penalty.
Some one has said "they were nothing
but sailors, that goes with a sailors life"
That is true, they were only sailor SOL
diers, but do not the cries Of their wild
han oh
tender cord in our hearts that recalls the
fact that they are flesh of our flesh, bone
of our bone and blood Of our blood. Did
they not love and die for the flag that
now shields us all Isn't this war right
Will you still insist On peace while a
European nation own and butcher their
slaves on the same continent where our
flag floats? We are commanded to feed
the hungry, clothe the naked and care
for the perishing. And is not this COM
mand given unto nations as well as to in
dividuals ? Another has said il doesn't
matter about them they are nothing but
mongerels, principally composed of
negroes. sc. Do they know that God
is not respecte- OF persons, but in every
nation he that feareth him and worketh
righteousness is accepted with him."
Ambition did not prompt US to interfere.
Acquisition has born no part in the game.
But it was the appeals from suffering
humanity that touched the tenderest
cords of the finer natures Of the hearts
of the liberty loving people of this great
and mighty nation.
When the great reckoning of the ma
tions shall come and the question put to
America, Where is they brother, Cuba :?
What will be Mr.. Cleveland's and Mr.
McKinley's answer? Mr. Cleveland has
has already answered, "am [ my brothers
keeper ?' But where is MI. Mckinley,
uop1o,. bo a0p,oc c,,1y inrr 1,ob1p1 Toporaco