The record-union., 1898-04-24
places for the men who will freely offer
their services. On with the battle.
OUR INDIVIDUAL DUTY.

their services. On with the battle.
OUR INDIVIDUAL DUTY.
Tulare Register: The soldiers who go
by on the trains are not the only ones
who must bear a share in the war
which is about to begin 1t will not
be the war of the Administration at
washington. 1t will not be the war or
the Republican party of this nation. 1t
VIII not be the war of the North or OF
the South
1t will be the war of the whole people,
men and women and children. Each
person will have something to do or
some added burden to bear in conse-
quence of the war, and patriotism re-
quires that the duty. whatever it may
be, and the burden, however heavy, be
assumed and carried with light heart,
with cheerfulness and courage.
There is more than patriotism in
volved in this war Patriotism re-
quired that the war be averted If it
could be with honor; that the nation
| be not rushed into war unprepared, or
rushed in at all if there were any other
way of making Cuba free; that the
war be not for mere revenge nor yet
for territorial aggrandizement. 1t Is
perhaps true that all these demands OF
patriotism have been complied with, put
whether they have or not is no longer
question for dispute. The war is at
hand, and, as stated above, it Involves
something more than patriotism. Our
regular soldiers and volunteers are not
going to fight for their own country
but for another; not for their own no
erty, but to make free a more lo"ly
and suffering but alien people. HIS
tory is full of instances of brave strug-
giles for individual liberty, for the no-
erty of ones own kith and kin, race
and blood, but who except Americans
have barred their breasts to the shock
of battle to make others free? And
not only free, but independent of the
own control of their liberators?
THE TEST OF LOYALTY.
Stockton Independent: The time has
arrived for the American people to act
as a unit. Yesterday we were divided
some for war; some for peace. To-
day war has come. and we are all for
war until the victory is ours. Under
| the wisest of counsel President McKin-
ley exercised every influence and every
power to maintain peace, so long as
there remained a possibility of accom-
plishing it without a sacrifice of honor.
After diplomacy was exhausted he ex-
hibited the utmost wisdom and firm
ness in calling upon Congress for au-
thority to act He desired no revenge,
displayed no passion sought no indi-
vidual glory He upheld merely the
right, as we find it inscribed on the
/ Foundation stone of the American Re-
public. His message eXpounded mod
ern freedom-the right to enjoy humane
treatment. Congress had no plans nor
words that could better the mastery
presentation of humanity's interests in
the Cuban struggle. His recommended
tions were adopted and the largest
power and gravest responsibility We're
conferred on the Executive that have
ever been granted to Chief Magistrate
or ruler in this world since time began.
The President was given authority TO
Intervene in behalf of Cuban freedom,
stable government and enduring peace.
| When President Mckinley signed the
! Congressional resolution he accepted
this fearful responsibility, knowing its
/ full portent By that signature he
made it the official act of 10,OoO,OOo
people. He knew better than we can
know that it was decree of war. He
knew that he was signing commits
sion making himself responsible before
the world for the conflict about to be
lopened He knew that it made him to
his own people and country response
| BILE for victory or defeat, for the issue
/ of every battle, for all the far-reach-
ling and indirect results that might fol-
low But he also knew that his sigma
ture united the American people IL
became their cause, and he trusted to
their loyal support.
! Henceforth there is but one enemy
Spain's vicious rule. The alarm mas
sounded and all must respond. No pa
triot will waver until complete victory
crowns our arms The allegiance of
every man is due to those who have
been given the authority. One must be
with the Administration against Spain
or with Spain against the Administra-
ton The path of loyalty is direct and
unmistakable.