The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-04-21
THURSDAY. APRIL 81, 1898.
War he 1t Then,

Inc washington news meduS IHdu
peace has been torn from her last EN-
brace and it admits no alternative but
war.
Well war be it then.
We have deemed this var senti-
ment artificial, much of it the out
come of an INSCRIPTIONS propaganda
politicians who would cripple the
administration, juntas who have
abused the hospitality of our flag,
shameless journalists who have dis
honored the freedom of the press, adj
venturers to whom the war is the
whom war means the emoluments of
contracts, supplies and privateering.
Deplore this as we may, our duty now
is not with the causes but with the
conduct and the consequences of war.
1t it no longer the time for debate,
but for action.
1t is war for which Spain is to
blame.
There has been no time when Spain
by looking truth in the face and tax
ing advice as to Cuban rule, could
not have made this war impossible.
She has been headstrong even as
Pharaoh, and would let the people go.
Cuban misrule makes this war of
humanity. Every neighborly sugges-
ton to Spain, the advice of Grant and
Cleveland and Mckinley, has been
spurned until patience was mistaken
for weakness and friendship threat
ened to become the condonement of
crime.
1t must not be a mercenary way.
The sword must not be drawn in
the interest of syndicates, banking
houses and the holders of Spanish or
Cuban bonds. There was a time
when peace might have had price.
Spain has thrown that chance away.
There would be no credit in a syndi-
Gated war, no honor in a Shylock
peace.
The war must be swift and decisive.
There is no horror in war like that
of protracted, irresolute campaign.
For the sake of peace we must be I'M
spairing in our conflict. The relief of
Cuba should be our first duty. Porto
Rico would be West Indian point Of
vantage. Sooner or later to the end
that no enemy may have base of
supplies contiguous to our shores,
these islands on the Atlantic and Mex
lean seas must be under the protector
ate of the United States. The Philip
pines would give us potent voice in
that mighty drama of the East now
pressing to a contamination. Heavy
blows could be struck in the NJ editer-
ranean. With the exception of Cadiz,
all Spanish towns are Vulnerable,
while Barcelona is especially at our
mercy. This can be left to the skill
of our accomplished officers, with the
Injunction that war is humane when
fought to aswift, relentless conclusion.
There can be no peace without the
independence of Cuba.
1t is best that all men should be
free. Even so hath theLordappointed.
A free Cuba under our moral protec-
torate would be another Holland or
Belgium Freed from the deadening
influences of Spanish rule, freedom
would mean new life to Cuba. Not
alone would it's Acknowledgement be
our contribution to universal peace,
but it would be an end of the Cuban
question, which for generations has
been a distress to the United States.
We have exhaused diplomacy in the
hope of peace, and we now accept the
arbitrament of war. Spain devolyes
upon us this duty. The cup might
have passed away could common
sense and reason have been heard. 1T
might even pass now were head
strong, belligerent Spain to hearken
to the voice of wisdom. She prefers
war. War be it, then. We draw the
stainless sword. Unstained it will re-
turn to the scabbard. The President
will not foil. Behind the President
are our fortunes and our sacred
honor.