The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-10-21

Nov that this cruel war is over /, a nd
| American valor has easily triumphed on
both sea and land, and the American flag
| proudly floats over our newly acquired
territory. never, as ii is fondly hoped. TO
be lowered again, the postwar patriots
who never lifted their voices in behalf of
Cuban liberty when that cause was I'm
dire distress and needed friends come
forward with unbecoming haste to
monopolize all the saories OF the war;
Even the distinguished Republican can
didate for governor. in one Of his recent
speeches, went so far as to say that the
war would be regarded as having been
fought i'm vain if a Democratic victory
should now occur. This is the first sug-
gestion which have heard from so high
soldier that the late war was a Re
publican war, or that it was
waged in the interest or for
the benefit of any political party.
official or individual. Democratic SOL
diers, as we'll as civilians. will resent
The Offensive and untimeiy suggestion.
1t was the nations war. undertaken not
for political effect bur for libertys sake.
for the sake of humanity. for the de-
fense of the national honor--a just and
political considerations, and IL will not
have been fought In vain, nor will it's
glorious results be obscured, dimmed or
affected by the success or defeat i'm this
state campaign of any political party.
much less OF that party which is held in
public estimation larg ely responsible for
compelling the Inauguration Of that very
war.
DC an hnt Aa s.lz,, l..
sustained. This Is silly idea mt this
stage Of events. The conflict has ceased:
no armed forces confront us anywhere.
and we are virtually debating our own
terms of peace. No dangers confront
the country except those which may be
oceasioned by our own selhshness or in
capacity, and under such circumstances
appeals to our patriotism to sustain an
adverse administration with which we |
do not agree must be regarded as un- |
warrantable and childish. During the |
continuance of the struggle the appeal |
was pertinent and was most patriotically |
answered. Never In the history of the |
nation was a president more Loyalty sup |
ported by an opposition party and by the |
people generally than during the recent |
conflict. Democrats We'd with Repub-
licans in the endeavor 10 give the ad-
ministration everything il desired.
There was but common purpose man
ifested. which was 10 assist the yresi-
dent in every legitimate way i'm a vigor-
Gus prosecution of the war That duty
having been abundantly discharged.
there is now no obligation resting upon
anybody TO sustain the nations' admin
istration unles we really approve its pol
Icy While a blind approval Of an ad-
may be exacted i'm times Of
war. no such rule prevails i'm time of
peace. 1t is no Impeachment Of the 10y
atty or patriotism Of the people that they
decline to condone the incompetency. the
negligence. the favoritism and the cor
ruption which characterized the conduct
Of some OF the departments OF the gov
ernment especially since TIE close Of
the war resulting In much privation,
and death saldening the go-
rious memories OF the conflict. and de-
an official investigation. They
naturally distrust an administration
which desires To Investigate itself. and
they insist that the peoples representa-
lives In congress constitute the proper
tribunal for the conduc, OF suoh an in
"A wise sta'esmnnship VIII satisfac-
'urify- rOfre rfrr rr7v mt Interesting
problems arising out of the terms OF set
lement with Spain. These questions
,annot be said TO be political issues la the
sense OF the term. because they
nave not become a certainty; parties
iave not yet divided on them: they have
hot been appropriately or leeitimately |
presented and their discussion seems
'rsmature Neither 80 The proposed in