The record-union., 1898-04-08
VOICE OF THE PRESS.
EXTRACTS FROM EDITORIAL
EXPRESSION.

EXTRACTS FROM EDITORIAL
EXPRESSION.
State and Coast Opinions on Sub
jeots OF Living News
Interest.
Oakland Enquirer: The Spanish Min
lister in Washington has issued a printed
statement as an appeal to the public to
be fair and rational in its judgments
of Cuban affairs. Some of the points are
well made-for example, that whatever
the miseries of the reconcentrados may
have been during the regime of General
Weyler, they have now been sent to
their homes and supplied with seeds
and tools at the expense of the Gov
eminent, which is doing what it can
to abate the general suffering. In
adopting a policy for the hour, our
Government should consider the con-
ditions which now prevail in Cuba and
not those of six months or year back.
STAND BY THE PRESIDENT.
Reno Gazette; War is a terrible cal
amity to any nation, weak or strong,
and should in this enlightened age be
ayerted, if there is any honorable way
of doing it. The dilatory policy of Nc
Kinley is being bitterly criticised by
ot-headed jingoists, but the Presidents
chair is a difficult one to fiji at such a
crisis, and, no doubt many of his critics
would give less satisfaction if brought
to the test. Those who hold the reins
/ of Government should naturally know
best what to do. Being a strong and
powerful nation, it would hardly seem
fair to force the conflict but to strike
with no uncertain aim when once it
comes. Those who are screaming loud
est for war would probably be more
temperate in their demands if the i'm
pending crisis was with England in
stead of IMPOVERISHED Spain.
MEDIATION TALK.
Stockton Independent; Spain is as
serted to have deliberately prevaricated
concerning how the Popes mediation
was brought about. What if she has?
| There would be nothing new in that.
1t should make no difference to this
country what caused the Pope to i'm
|
make concessions to secure peace. 50
| long as the Government of the United
States is not compromised thereby. 1t
! should be welcome news in this coun-
| try that the Pope or the European
powers are trying to influence Spain for
peace while Americans stand on their
dignity and courteously decline all Of
| fers of friendly services on the ground
] hot Ta
reasonably expected of them. The offers
Iof mediation, being kindly meant,
should be politely met and as politely
| declined, regardless of the character of
those who offer them The United
States, having made very mild demands
should demonstrate by frmness that
those demands will be strictly adhered
to unless the Government is driven to
demand more by the obstinacy of Spain.
In the event that war must decide, the
limit will undoubtedly be raised and
the fullest exemplary satisfaction be
exacted.
THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR WAR.
Colusa Sun: A President begging for
a few days time and Congress rush
ing on toward war is not f1attering
condition for the country. One or the
other must be radically wrong. His
tory shows that the people of almost
any nation are easily inflamed by their
leaders and pronounce for war on the
smallest provocation, hence the war
side has always been popular. 1t has
generally required more patriotism to
oppose war than to go for it, for it is
always easy to drift along with a
! crowd-to move along the line of the
least resistance. If, therefore, we have
| the executive branch of the Govern
ment, the branch with the most know1-
edge of the whole situation, holding
back, those who have no knowledge had
better not get too enthusiastic in ia
vor of a war. But the situation has
not been flattering. No personal or
party advantage should be sought or
tolerated in a situation like this, but
all should be willing to act for the COM
mon good regardless Of any other con-
sideration, hence when a member of
Congress is willing to override the EX-
ecutive and go on without him it is tan
tamount to a declaration that he has
lost confidence in the Executive. There
is a vast difference here and on ordi-
nary occasions. The Sun" does not
|
it at the expense of national honor, and
it has no information on which to base
an opinion as to what ought to be done.
| We have to accept the common chan
mel of information, and that is not at
all reliable, and the people who pro-
fess to give us information are not in
a position to get the kind upon which
man is justified in making up his MIND
on so vital question Suppose 1t de-
nended on the vote of the reader of
this item whether or not war should
be declared to-day, would he feel like
taking the responsibility on the infor-
nation he has? Just take that ques-
ton to yourself.
IN NEBRASKA.
| Yreka Journal: Business complaint
from Nebraska, which, couple OF years
ago. came from farmers, now come from
the men who were accustomed to loan
money to farmers. A recent dlspalch
from Omaha points out the fact that
mortgages in Nebraska are being can
celled at the rate of million dollars
month. and says: There are vast sums
of money, not only in the banks and oth-
err financial institutions of Omaha, out
in other large cities of the State, ready
for investment on reasonable security
at 3 per cent interest, which cannot pe
loaned out at this low figure. Less imam
two years ago 10 per cent could be op-
tanned without difficulty. Now farmers
dictate their own terms in the money
markets of this and adjacent States.
|