The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-04-22
OUR BEST FRIEND.

y
carllst organ. I'll Correo, had an article
on wednesday OF this week upon the
Decentralization situation. In which it
urgcs the formation Of "a union Of the
Latin races to oppose American spread
eagleism." ''Spreadeagleism Is this jour
nails word for democracy. It's. chief, Don
Carlos, represents all the old and hide
hound traditions OF Bourbonisn, and
nothing would please him and those who
support him better than to see the whole
world returned 20 the dominion OF feu-
dal notions and ideas.
The Times has long seen evidences OF
a strong disposition in certain parts oil
Europe TO form an alliance Of the despot-
isms there against the democracy OF Eng
land and the United States. and II has
repeatedly warned Americans that the
disposition IN some quarters 10 cultivate
hostile feelings for England In the minds
of Americans night at some time in the
near future produce embarrassments In
the way OF that cordial union between
England and America which the exis-
tence of both may make absolutely ne
cessary.
Il would be folly for MS to pooh-pooh
this Spanish war that we are about en-
tering upon. our own opinion Is that all
probabilities point 20 its being n very
short one. The passions Of the Spanish
people are not much excited yet against
us. and the temper of our own people is
to let Spain off as lightly as possible.
But when hostiliues commence and blood
is drawn and friends and relatives lose
their lives. il is given TO no man 10 say
what sort OF conditions may arise. That
which looks now like only n small speck
upon the horizon may grow into
cloud Of tremendous proportions that may
discharge a terrible downpour Of catas-
trophies and calamities. u may bring
about that union Of the despotisms of
Europe against tho democracy which
they so fear and hate. and we may find
ourselves in a struggle for existence be-
fore we are through with H.
With this 1--WE will not say prospect,
tifying TO see the evidences we meet with
every day of the cordial feelings be-
tween Englishmen and Americans.
special dispatch from Paris 10 the New
York Herald says that the sympathies
OF the Continental press are almost who'll
Iy with Spain. particularly in the Latin
countries. but their sympathies are Of
quiet platOnic nature. In striking con-
trast with this. though, the dispatch goes
on to say. are the plain straightforward
declarations Of the English press, which
is representative of all classes Of society.
There. it says. you have no theorising
in the air but you hear John Bull put his
foot down. He believes the cause Of peace
i'm Cuba is good one. He recognizes
that the fight, If a fight there must be.
is not his. but he is rather sorry he
is not in it,"
These evidences Of the warm feeling OF
Englishmen for Americans is the only
truly gratifying incident that the pres
ent unhappy state of rnings has de-
veloped. And how it should make the
Americans who have been trying TO
create bitterness between the two ma
lions. feel ashamed of themselves! We
are really hardly TO be considered as
two nations. Cur interests are the same
in great part both Of US are doing all
we can to spread Christianity and Anglo
Saxon freedom all over the world, and
we touch and interlace at so many points
that it would be like tearing the Siamese
twins apart TO attempt to separate us.
We cannot look upon those who would
stir up enmity between the two nations
otherwise than as Offenders against civil
lization.
And they will never succeed in doing
II. Politicians may bawl and interested
men may empty their little viafs Of simu-
lated wrath. But the great body of the
people IN both countries know that Eng
lands future and Americas future lie
along the same paths, and nothing is
going TO make them consent TO any
serious interruption Of our relations.
We printed yesterday the following
from the speech made by our ambassador
TO England at the Lord Mayors banquet
on Wednesday night, but il will do to re-
print here i'm this connection. lie said:
1--WE Americans are sometimes accused
OF looking after our own interests with
certain energy and pertinacity. / might
SAY. in a spirit of pride rather than con-
triton. that II only shows what stock we
are of. but this truth is incOntestable-
that for nearly three generations OF men
and In spite OF constant differences there
has been peace between us and friendly
regard; a peace growing more firm and
solid as the years go by ana friendship
which. / am sure the vast majority OF
both peoples hope and trust may last
forever.
The good understanding between MS is
based on something deeper than mere eX-
pediency All who think cannot but see
that there is a sanction like that Of re-
cgion which binds us in partnership In
the serious work OF the world
Whether We will or not We are asso-
ciated in that work by the very nature OF
things. and no man and no group of men
can prevent t. We are bound by ties
which we did not forge and which we
cannot break. We are Joint ministers In
the same sacred mission OF freedom and
progress. charged with duties which we
cannot evade."
Colonel Hay. in an impressive perora-
tlon. which elected out6ursts OF cheer
ing. recalled as q happy augury the sud-
den illumination through the fog by
search-lght OF the British and American