The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-04-22
FRIDAY, APRIL p, 1898.
OUR DUTY NOW.

~ II ~
There has been nothing indefinite or
uncertain about the position OF The
Times touching the Cuban imbToglio. We
have believed. and declared that the
United states could have accomplished
The greatest good for CUBA by such de-
monstration OF determination as would
have wrung from Spain every proper con-
cession without recourse 10 war
The succession Of Canovas by tho liber-
al sagasta. notable step in the direc-
ton of liberty ana peace tie succession
Of bloody Weylor by generousl Bianco'
the granting Of liberal scheme of auto
nomy 20 cuba. the revocation Of the or
der which produced the starving Of the
roconccntradoes. the suspension OF hos
fnities by the Spanish troops, all occur
ring with I'm q Few months gave indis-
putable evidence that the prospect for
Cuba's enjoying constitutional liberty
under the Spanish flag was well nigh as
sured
with this. however came the destruc-
ton of the Maine as an appalling caias-
trophe: but how little the Spanish govern
ment was involved in the dreadful deed
was strongly set out by General Lee IN
his testimony before the Senate Commit
Tee on Foreign Relations.
General Lee said: Il do not think that
General Blanco, the present Captain and
Governor-G General Of the island of Cuba
had anything to do with It. do not
think that he had any knowledge OF II.
] saw him just shortly after the occur
renee. l was sitting i'm my room in the
hotel. and from the balcony Of the hotel
could hear II. ] heard the explosion
and saw a great column Of fire 90 up into
the air A few minutese after ascer-
tanning that it was the Maine l went
right down 10 the Palace and ] asked for
General BlancO. lie came IN directly
by himself. lie had Just heard 1t and
was CRYING. tears were coming out or
his eyes. lie seemed 20 regret 1t as
much as anybody ] saw in Havana.
General Blancos distress was followed
by the offer Of Spain TO make every re-
narration that would be awarded by any
impartial tribunal.
1t would have seemed then that war
between the United States and Spain on
account either Of Cuba or the Maine was
not necessary to secure the rights OF the
one or reparation for the destruction or
The other.
VIVA, then has forced rs into war? The
approaching elections IN the fan nave
been the inspiring cause Tor the war spir-
81 which took possession OF Congress ana
caused the members Of both Houses IKE
that great herd OF swine into which the
devil entered. TO run violently down
sieep place and become choked in the
sea"
The war with Spain. which is now upon
ma IS as clearly attributable to political
manoeuvres and TO an inflammatoTy press
rs can any event IN any cas-, be sid to be
the effect OF "A canse.
President Mckinley attempted to stem
the current until 1t threatened to sweep
him away. and II Is certain that II he had
not permitted Congress TO have its way
his resistance would have been futile,
his influence would have been gone. II,
however the Presidents advice had been
Followed by Congress there is little doubt
that every beneficial result which could
fairly have been asked would have been
obtained.
So much for the past which Is now,
no far as practical results are concerned
ancient history. We may regret and de-
,lore. we cannot alter. Congress has
been the radical department OF the gov
eminent and that House OF Congress. the
Senate. which was established In order
20 insure conservatism and dehberaton
has been the more radical and unreason-
able Of the two
IL Is useless for present purposes TO point
nut these errors and disappointments. The
actual existence Of war is upon us, and
though not formally declared, We have
reason 10 believe that our fleet is moving
,pon the possessions of Spain. AID We
would have 10 right 20 complain II a
Spanish feet would attempt TO enter the
Chesapeake Bay or any other point on the
American coast. However, unnecessari-
az and unwisely Il has come 20 pass. We
are al war with Spain. She is now the
enemy OF this country. She now Of
ncially desires TO blow up our whole
navy as some OF her citizens without
her authority OF desire blew up the
Maine. II u.s. therefore. our deity 20 lock
shields. and as good citizens stand BY
the government IL should never be said
that our people failed to carry out any
law which was passed 80 unanimously