The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-04-12

amonrs, Other things hat tho American
people were towards. Spain" said he.
ia not afraid OF the United States. The
American people are the towards as is
evidenced by the fact that they are now
leaving Havana, where there IS no more
danger 10 them than there Is on Ameri-
can SOIL"
There are very few Americans concern
Ing themselves with whether Spain Is
afraid OF the United States. That view
OF the case is having no place at all in
the elements out of which public judy
ment Is now being formed.
Spain might be the most resclute and
fierce nation that the world has ever seen
and yet tho American people would be
just as determined as they now are III
dealing with her: or she might be in
deadly terror OF the United States and
stnl the determination Of our people
would be Just as fixed. Nobody Is think
ing OF tho matter from that standpoint.
But how ridiculous is this attach to
speak OF the Americans as towards. HIS
own people have never yet undertaken
TO face the English people but what they
have uuailed before thcm, yet the Ameri-
cans have never yet hesitated TO engage
tho English when il seemed necessary to
do co and upon both occasions when
they have done Il. they have come out
OF the contest with no loss Of prestige.
II really appears too ahSurd for con-
sidcration. that any man\knowlng as
much OF the history Of the world as an
ottache OF a foreign legation Is assumed
20 know. and who must therefore have
read OF some OF the wonderful fighting
that Americans have done. should dare
20 speak of the nation as a race Of cow
ards.
The attache draws the most absurd
conclusion from the fact that Americans
are getting out Of Havana. The brayest
man avoids d peril which is set directly
before his eyes and which there Is no
occasion FOR him to incur. General
Fitzhugh Lee has proved upon an hun
bred battle-helds that he is one Of the
coolest and most courageous men that
ever bore arms, yet General Lee has been
doing his best 20 get Americans out OK
cuba before the wild and unOridled pas
sions OF the Spaniards get loose, and he
has no doubt hoped many times himself,
that his duties as the American Consul
General would permit him 10 leave be-
fore the dreadful scenes Of riot and de-
structions that were threatened came
to be enacted.
1t is not the timidity OF towards that
is bringing Americans from cuba. 1t IS
knowledge OF the treachery and cruelty
OF the Spanish character nat IS bringing
them in a hurry away Americans there
know that the moment they have the eX-
cuse that war IS on between Spain and
the United states they will take advan-
tage Of any prctext whatever TO rob and
plumber and murder.
The fact that this Spanish upstart can
say such a thing in Washington at this
time with perfect safety IS the best pos
sible Illustration Of the difference between
the order prevailing in the two countries.
II an attache Of the American legation
al Madrid were 10 put such a thing as
that into the Madrid papers about the
Spanish people, his life would not be worth
a cent when unprotected by the police
or the soldiery. Yet this fellow can say
this or anything else that suits him in
Washington, and then walk Pennsylva-
MIA avenue as safely as If he were in his
W country. If war should be declared
and become fragrant between Spain and
the United States he and his chief-the
Spanish Minister-could walk about
Washington or travel IN n part Of the
United states as safely as any American
could, and they both know it perfectly
well. YET Minister Woodford's lifo would
not be safe an hour in Spain after war
was declared. Such are glorious infiu-
enccs Of freedom and republican institu-
tions.