The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-07-05

Some Remarks to the "spectatoF" on the
"PartinE of the Ways"

To THE EDITOR OF Thu suN-Sir: My Uncle
Charles used to soy that the really dangerous
man in early days out in Montana was thu
one who didn't say much. and when he grew
angry became quiet and showed a tendency to
turn pale. This is IN appearance sometimes
supposed to be an evidence OF fear. Such a con.
c~lusion. however. turned out TO be a bad mis-.
take always in those days TO which my Uncle
Charles referred. and in q country where tina
buffalo ranged. where the red brother braided
his scalp-lock, and where white men existed in
their natural state. simple. free from guile. aud
not degenerate.
know what those quiet millions Of working
freeholders and Industrious citizens think
about the progress OF the war"
In n patroniZing, cockney way tho Spectator
appears TO DO ready TO tell US how we ought TO
feel on this, rs on all other occasions. Let the
Spectator imagine how the quiet millions u
England would feel II the Spaniards had
treacherously blown up an English battleship
MS they did the Maine, Let the Spectator sup
pose that England had then taken the steps our
Government has taken. had fought Spain ON
sea and land. and had tasted blood. Mr.. Speo-
tdtor can then figure what tho everyday Amer
lean feels. Also what he proposes to see done.
Our friend OF the Spectator asks further;
Arc they aware.that their country stands nc
the parting Of the ways. and her external policy
must be radically modified. and she is engaged
in a war which mayso develop that 1t will occu-
Ply years. create a national debt. and leave the
United States with a powerful army and the
second fleet In the world
The American lingo is q quiet man. He 10
not looking for trouble. Having trouble thrust
upon him. however. he makes it a business.
When the Government wants two hundred mil
lions on its bonds. he offers. as recently. SIX
hundred millions. When the Government calls
for troops, no fills the quota, puts up his money.
and says nothing.
II we stand at the parting Of the ways ot
diplomatic policy. let them part. The Amer
lean people are now convinced that they need a
large standing army. They want q navy not
second to England's or anybody's. They can
pay for It and they will have 1t.
War" Gen. Sherman said. is hell" and he
knew. We are now in the hell business, md
before we are through we shall take all the
degrees. and become masters.
The nations of Europe have no h]csitancy in
asserting themselves when they think their in
terests or feelings are involved. 1t does not
seem to be expected, however. that the United
States. or Honduras. or such regions as pata-
gonia should lift n hand until the Spectator has
been heard from.
We are tired Of this point of view. 1t is nee
essary as "a business proposition that we should
assert our right and power to do whatever We
think necessary to our interest. just now it is
Spain that has to be thrashcd into shape. ono
thing is sure: Having started the plough, we
shall turn the furrow to the end.
There is Il lot Of idle talk about what will e
done with such Spanish possessions rs we may
capture. This is a Government in which prn,-
teal politicians cut a considerable figure, and
any responsible politician who has a hand in
giving. to Spain or to anybody else. any advan-
taEe or territory which our arms may acquire
will disappear.
1t is true that we are not fully prepared for a
long war, but we are getting ready as fast as
can be expected. Mistakes will he made. Life
and money will be wasted. but when it is over
some other Governments will be in a more rs-
spectful frame OF mind than heretofore.
OWN A. MERRITT, JR.
NEW YORK. July 4.