New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-06
A TEST OF POPULAR FEELING.
DESIRE FOR PEACE SHOWN AND AP.
PROvAL OF THE PRESIDENT AND
SPEAKER REED.

To the Editor If The Tribune
Sir: Such strong impression ~ the attitude
OF many thoughtful people in regard to the
Cuban problem has been made upon me during
Journey across the Continent. which am Just
about 10 finish. that send statement OF what
| have gathered for whatever IL is worth. This
impression is The outgrowth ~ more or less ex
tended conversations with people in both the
common coach" and the palace car" and I
have talked with something over sixty people
during the last FIVE days. These people have
represented all classes and conditions. the ma
jorty, however. being business and professional
men.
Almost without exception the President has
been upheld in his position. which has been
understood TO be n sincere desire and purpose TO
preserve honorable peace The preparation
FOR war has not been condemned. and I'm most
cases strongly approved. but the attitude OF
nine out OF ten has made FOR peace rather than
for over and over has there been the
severest condemnation ~ certain congressman
ard newspapers whose utterances are UNFOLDING
a policy which would lead the Nation into war.
such men ought not 20 be sent To Washing
ton" said again and again. las such crises
this liable TO arise when their unbalanced
opinions play d too important par, in the policy
Of the Government.
Not one wanted the United States to anneS
Cuba Many said that II Spain ccnnived as =
government for the destruction OF the Maine.
that itself. but almost every one did
not believe that TO be a fact. and therefore they
We're II the opinion that the Maine incident. de-
plorahle as it Is. does not furnish an adequate
reason for the declaration Of war.
The sufferngs Of the reconcentrados has been
a constant theme 81 conversation and on all
sides there has been unqualified condemnation
| ..r ..rsflr - Al "
about this condition and Of the policy that has
permitted it: but certainly three fourths Of the
people with whom have talked have been
strongly Of the opinion that not only ought not
the country 20 be plunged into the horrors Of
war because Of this but that it would only
make a bad matter worse. and that Christian
charity is furnishing the only proper solution 81
! this problem.
There seems to be much sensitiveness 10 the
fact that so much is made OF the expressions or
/ approval and dsapproval by the crowd OF hang
ers-on who frequent the visitors galleries In the
| houses OF Congress AT Washington. II is FELT
! that they DO not represent the people or the
country and that whether they applaud or hiss
ought TO count for little or nothing.
The strongest impression. however, left upon
my mind is that people do not want war;
and that they Will welcome and heartily ap-
prove a policy that makes for an honorabls
! peace. The question OF business has not been
| al all prominent In these conversations. bu.
rather a high sense % the real honor and IN.
| tegrity OF the Nation. Expressions ~ loyalty
| and readiness 70 sacrifice for the country have
| come again and again spontaneously 70 the lips
! Of many. n number Of old soldiers have pee;
among them and they are ready as Of old, ou.
/ they say. Many Of those who do the talking do
not know what II Ia to fight
Great confidence and sense Of satisfaction arr
! expressed in President Mckinley and Speake-
/ Reed and there is almost universal rejolciny
! that they are holding the reins Of Government
| That these opinions express the real convictions
/ OF the people clear to me- because -
| many OF these with whom have talked have
said that they have found these sentiments -
| prevail among those with whom they have dis
! cussed the Cuban and Spanish question.
Il certainly seems that II Congress should
/ lead the Nation into war Il would be again5e
! the good sense OF the American people.
Boston April T. 1898 WESTERNER.