The Atlanta constitution., 1898-10-24

interests of the country by 80 unneces-
sary a war"
Neither need ] remind you of the dire
predictions and lamentations of other re-
pubicans high in the councils of the party,
who in those momentouS days were seek
ing to stem the tide of popular enthusiasm
which was sweeping over the land, and
protesting that their party was being
dragged into an unholy foreign war by
their unscrupulous opponents.
But now that this cruel war is over
and American valor has easily triumphed
on both sea and land and the American
flag proudly floats over our newly ac-
quired territory-never, as 1t is fondiy
hoped, to be lowered again-these postwar
patriots VINO never lifted their voices in
behalf of Cuban liberty when that cause
was in dire distress and needed friends,
come forward and with unbocoming haste,
not simply to share, but to mOnOpOliZe all
the glories of the war. Their perennial
and moSs-coVered orators, from Dr. De-
pew down to the village oracle, are peram-
bulating tn" state fighting over again with
their tongues the few battles of the war.
giving vivid descriptions of war scenes
which they did not witness and detailing
warlike events which never occurred, seek
Ing vague and imaginary issues rather tnan
confronting those actually existing.
Pays His Respects to Roosevelt.
Even the distinguished republican can
didate for governor in one of his recent
speeches went so far as to say that the
war would be regarded as having been
fought in vain, if a democratic victory
should now occur This is the first sug-
gestion which ] have heard from 50 high a
source that the late war was republican
war or that it was WaGed in the interest
or for the benefit Of any political party
official or individual Democratic soldiers
as well as civilians will resent the often
sive and untimely suggestion. 1t was q
nations war, undertaken not for political
effect, but for lberty's sakc-for the sake
Of humanity--for the defense of the nation
al honor; a just and righteous war, when
overshadowed all political considerations,
and it will not have been fought in vain,
nor will It's glorious results he obscured,
dmmed or affected by the success or de
feat in this state campaign of any pOHti-
cal party much less of that party Wllch
is held in public estimation largely r"Spon-
sibIe for compelling the Inauguration of
thai very war.
"It IS said that the president must be sus-
tanned. This is a Silly plea at this stage
of events The conflict has ceased; no
armed forces confront us anywhere, and We
are virtually debating our own terms of
peace No dangers confront the country
except those which may be OccasiOned by
our own selfShness or incaPacity, and uH-
der such circumstances appeals to our pa
triotism TO suStain adverse admlniSlia~
ton with which we do not agree must be
regarded as unWarrantablc ana ChlidiNil'
During the continuance OF the Struggle
the appeal was pertinent ana was most
patriotiCaliy answered. Never IN the MS
tory of the nation was Il president more
Loyalty supported by an opposition party
ana by the people generally than during
the recent conflict. Men, supplies ana mon
ey were voted al lbitum. Democrats Nl'd
with republicans in the endeaNor TO give
the administration everything it desired.