The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-03-08
ONE COUNTRY.

ONE COUNTRY.
| II was given out some time ago that
| General Wade Hampton. in an interview,
the South should not take part in any
war that might occur between Spain and
the United States, but that as the South
was just recovering from the effects OF
tho war between the States in the event
OF a foreign war It should hold off and
let the North do the lighting.
We took occasion at the time TO say
that such an expression from such man
at such time was unfortunate, and that
II certainly did not represent the SEMI
r,ent Of the Southern people General
Hampton has now come out In another
interview In the Columbia Is. c. State, in
which he says that he was misQuoied, and
tina, his remarks were entirely misunder-
stood.
"when asked what course the South
should pursue in the event Of war" says
he. u replied that the Southern States
had been desolated by recent war; that
they were only now Receiving from its
effects. and that l thought that tnoy
should not rush madly into another war,
but that. of course, every citizen would,
Of right be called on to defend his coun-
try. should war unhappily occur" lie
then goes on to say that it was inrefer-
once 10 what he considered the sensation
al, the hysterical rush Of offers Of service
that ne advised the Southern people to
keep quiet, leaving such volunteering to
the North But il never for moment en-
tered hi- mind that the South should or
would refuse aid to the government
should q foreign war take place. "On
more than one public occasion" says Cen
eral Hampton, Il have said that this was
now our country. and that it is the duty
OF every patriot TO make that country a
nt abode Of freemen for all time TO come"
We are glad that General Hampton has
set himself right. So far as We have been
able TO see and judge there is but one
sentiment throughout this broad land
that the United States IS the common
country OF al and that people from an
sections are ready, if need be. TO take mp
arms in defence of the Stars and Stripes
Indeed tho country is 10 be congratulate
"a that the various sections have been
drawn together by this threat Of trouble
with Spain. and there never was a time.
since the close Of the late war, when the
various sections Of the country were so
closely knitted together, when sectional
lines were so nearly oblterated. when
the spirit Of &c so universally prevailed
as now.
II has been said, and We believe It 20
be true that the Spanish Government is
rally DESTROYS Of war with the United
States in order that the revolutionary
spirit at home may be allayed, and that
the oontending factions in that country
may be united and rallied TO the support
Of the government. Much as we dread
war, and much as It is TO be deplored,
and in horror, to be avoided yet we do
not Overlook the fact that there would be
in a foreign conflict some benefit TO this
country in tho same direction.
We have been as a nation torn into
political factions and a spirit OF antago-
nism has sprung up which at some times
has been scarcely less Ian revolutionary.
There has been a determined effort, and
with a measure of success We regret 10
say, to array class against class in this
country. with the result that there have
come strife and bitterness OF feeling. Not
only has section been aTayed against
section, but the sections themselves have
ben split into contending factions.
1t is not necessary to go into details.
Every man who reads these lines under
stands fun well what We mean. and
realizes that we have not overdrawn the
picture We do not mean to say that war
IS necessary to US. as It appears to be
to Spain. and it is our earnest wish that
the Cinerences between this country and
Spain may b. honora5iy 1nd satisfac-
torily adjusted without resort TO arms.
But we DO say that as there is some good
in everything. so a war at this time with
a foreign power woull un1oubtedly have
a wholesome effect in knitting the bonds
OF the Union closer together, and in al
laying sectional ana class strife that has
torn the people OF the United States dur
ing the past several years.
There is. in our opinion, no occasion
for strife in this land and our troubles
have grown largely out Of misunder-
standing. We are brethren and that which
tends to allay strife and to promote bro
therhood. even though 1t be war; WILL TO
that extent, be a national blessing. We
sincerely hope that there will be no war
but whether war shall come or not, we
trust that out Of this crisis viii come
closer brotherhood.
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