The Advocate and news., 1898-03-02
The Question Of War With spain.

war with Spain is greatly to be COM
mended. War Is cruel at best, destruc-
tive, wasteful and usually has to be car
ried on by men who have no personal
interest in its causes.
There was time when war was a pro-
fession-a sort of national brigandage
popuIarized by its profits through pillage.
AS civilization has advanced, commerce
spread and Christian ideas have devel-
Oped, an unwritten code Of international
law has been established and all nations
are in honor bound to respect it's re-
quirements.
THE law of nations Is the great source
from which we derive those rules re-
spectlng belligerant and neutral rights
which are recognized by all civilized and
commercial states throughout Europe
and America" The law of nations Is to
them what the law of any particular
country is to the people theme. The law
Of nations Is part Of the law of every
ration. The law of nations is part
of the law of every nation. The law Of
nations is respected by the courts Of all
civilized countries. These points have
all been decided by our own Federal
courts, as any person may see for him
self.
Quoting from letter Of Daniel Web
ster to Mr.. Thompson, April IA, 1912:
Every nation, on being received, at her
own request, into the circle OF civilized
,4a nA hot ohn
not only attains rights of sovereignty
and the dignity Of national character,
but that she binds herself also to the
strict and faithful observance OF all those
principles, laws, and usages which have
obtained currency among civilized states,
and which have for their object the miti-
cation of the miserieS of war. No COM
munity can be allowed to enjoy the bene-
fits Of national character in modern times
without submitting to all the duties
which that character imposes. A Chris
tian people who exercise sovereign
power, who make treaties, maintain
diplomatic relations with other states,
and who should yet refuse to conduct
their military operations according to
the usages universally observed by such
states, would present character singu-
larly inconsistent and anomalous"
The United States, is not only one
among many nations, but from every
point of view, save one, we are in the
forefront Of ALL Our growth and devel-
opment have no parallel in history. We
began In an effort for national indepen-
denCe. We secured what we demanded
Our national individuality was promptly
acknowledged by all other nations, and
now our flag is saluted in every port
where it floats over a ship Of war.
The United States of America, made
up of mighty people, with unmeasur-
able resources, a glorious record and an
uncOnquerable ambition to lead in all
that is good and great in the future, can
not afford to become involved In a war
without moving on well established lines
Of international law, and it Is to make
sure of such footing that the admins
tratiOn is moving with dignified and
manly caution
A ship is nationalized by it's flag, and
may lawfully enter any open port. She
is sacred as the soil of the country from
which she halls. She is as free from
search or seizure as the dwelling of her
masters family ON shore OF course, she
must, herself, be within the law.
While the general rule is non-interven-
tion with the affairs Of other nations,
there are exceptions; as, for example, in
case Of rights of citizens in other lands,
insurreCtion, rebellion or other disturb
ance in which other people may have
some important interests.
In 1916, when the acknowledgment Of
the independence of the South American
colonies was under consideration, Presi-
dent Monroe sent three commissioners,
in ship Of war, to visit the several col
0nies and inquire into the condition of
things in respect to the probability of
endurance of successful hostilities.
President Taylor, 1S49, invested an
agent, then in Europe, with power to