The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-21
THURSDAY. JULY q, 1895.


1t has been often asserted IN Nashlhg-
ION that If any overtures looking to peace
are made they must come from spain,
that in no event will the United States
do anything TO bring about peace eX-
cept to 20 on with the work Of annihilat-
ing the spaniards. Several times it has
been intlmated that this government
would approach Spain with the PROPOSE
tinn 10 bring the war 20 a close. but each
tirne there has been an indignant denial,
as though such an act were utterly I'M
worthy Of the nation.
1t Is true that according 20 the usages
of war the peace overtures should come
from Spain. but we do not see why the
United states may not take the initiative
in this instance. No attempt is now made
10 conceal the fact that We went TO the
war under a misrepresentation, certainly
so far as the Cuban insurgents are con-
cerned. According 20 our declaration we
took up arms in the name of humanity
and the the cry was that we should inter-
dere I'm the interest Of those "braye ana
nOlle ltlOMS III NAU1 VIM WIZ HHtiN
ang for liberty and against the cruel OPP
epresson OF the Spanish government. Nat
urally sympathetic with those who were
resisting tyranny and struggling for free
dom We localized the Cuban insurgents
and regarded them as patriots of the
saighest integrity and undaunted courage.
But our ideal has been cruelty smash
ed. ana we have suddenly awakened 20
the fact that the insurgents are largely
g. band Of brigands, who were fighting for
pillage. The idea that these miserable
fellows should have insisted that the con-
Quered town of Santiago should be turn
ed over TO them that they might commit
the most dastardly outrages upon the
men and women OF the city and despoil
their property has aroused the righteous
indignation OF the American people and
our pity has been turned into sc0rn.
This war with Spain had been brewing
Tor many years, and It might have come
sn any event. but had the American peo-
pie fully understood the character Of the
Cuban insurgents and the motive Of their
warfare. Il is quite certain that we would
never have taken up arms in behalf of
these people and their ignoble cause.
We would not be understood as ex-
pressing any sort Of sympathy with the
Spanish people. They are proud and
cruel and their downfall Is due to their
own misdoings. But the resentment OF
the American people against Spain would
nave been materially tempered. had they
fully understood in the beginning the
character OF the revolutionists in Cuba.
II was the contention Of The Times be-
FORE the war began that the United states
government had nothing to do with the
quarrel IN Cuba. But walving that point,
we ask. in all candor, in TIE light OF re-
cent disclosures have we not sufficiently
punished Spain for her conduct towards
rhe insurgents? Have we not also suf-
siciently chastised her for sinking one OF
our battleships in time Of peace? How
much longer does our vengeance require
that We shall remember the Maine?"
We yield TO none in our respect for the
dignity OF the nation ana we hold that II
should be maintained under all circum-
stances and at all hazard. But we do
not believe that the dignity OF the nation
would be Compromised in the least II our
government should now make an honest
effort TO bring this war 10 close with
out further bloodshed. 1t is simply inn
possible for this government TO humiliate
Itself before Spain. We are powerful. we
are rich. and we have shown that in any
sort OF an even contest with the Spanish
either by sea or by land. we are in every
way their superiors and can thrash them
90 our hearts content. Having demon
strated that fact and having chastised
her 50 severely. why should we not now
rise up in our majesty and magnanimous-
AZ propose the terms OF peace?
II seems TO us that this would simplify
abe situation and bring about the end
which we all desire. Spanish pride
brought on the war and Spanish pride is
now standing in the way OF peace. The
spanish authorities naturally suppose
mat u they should yield in the face OF
their overwhelming defeats. their act
wouId be construed aEa token az coward