The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-07-24
"What Is All This Worth?"

A recently published dispatch repre-
sents President Mckinley as saying
that liberty has for centuries been
the dream of the Latin races The trou-
BILE, however, with the Latins is that
they construe liberty to mean license.
They institute republics, but IS soon
as they are made to feel the restraints
of organized government they conspire
to overthrow it,
The observation is correct, whether
it was uttered by the president or not;
and it carries with it an important
meaning to the people Of the United
States. Any war prosecuted conscien-
tiously in the cause of humanity is a
noble, but at the same time highly
responsible undertaking. Admitting
that the United States plunged into
this war in obedience to that inspira-
ton, the ACCESSIBILITY and wisdom Of
our course in so doing remain to be
determined by the results achieved.
Certainly the farther we advance, the
with which we have to deal, and these
problems relate, not so much to pos
sible complications with other nations,
in connection with which we can doubt
less take proper care of ourselves, as
to the manner in which we shall final
ly be obliged to deal with those whom
we are attempting to succor.
The most perplexing condition which
we will probably have to confront will
be the unfitness and inability Of the
Cubans to properly govern themselves
when once we shall have secured for
them their liberty. We are liable to
be met with the very conditions to
which the president refers. Ex-Secre-
tary John Sherman, in his recent in
terview with a Clio b e reporter, re-
marked that "only small portion Of
the people of Cuba were inclined to
oppose the authorities, and they were
a lawless set" He added that there
were five or six helping u.s." and he
doubtless had reference to Gen. Garcia
among the number. Mr.. Sherman Is
well informed and an eminently prac-
teal statesman. He knew just what
the real characteristics of the Cuban
leaders were, and was not backward in
the expression of his opinion concern
ing them.
who most loudly PIRATES Of liberty. The
Cubans are representatives Of that
very race to which the president Is al
legged to have referred. Spanish colonial
rule has always been harsh and
tyrannical, and whenever revolution
has compelled coercion the measures
adopted for restraint have been char
acterized by that spirit Of barbarisra,
cruelty and savagery which Is a dis
tinguishing element Of the Latin race.
Granted that we shall succeed in Win
ming for the Cubans their independ-
ence, there can be no guarantee afford
ed that the same conditions will not
follow, for the same racial spirit will
exist among their leaders. Jealousies
and contentious will inevitably result.
The "lawless" chieftains indicated by
Mr.. Sherman will struggle for pre-
elninence among their people. Spain
has contributed already more than
100000 men and vast amount Of treas
ure in the attempt to keep that colony
under subsection in the present strug-
gle alone. In what proportion shall be
the draft upon us in the same direc-
ton, should these 'lawless" leaders re-
fuse to peaceably accept our generous
assistance and elect to maintain their
warfare against the United States? The
president is also reported to have said,
in connection with the remark already
quoted: 1--WE are to become responsible
to the world for order in Cuba, and,
argue as you may, we cannot escape
that responsibility"
No, Mr.. President, we cannot escape
it; and for many years to come, doubt
less, that responsibility will continue
to exist. Meanwhile peculiar light is
beginning to force it's way through the
sentimentalism which enveloped the
perceptions Of the American people
during the period Of agitation pending
the declaration of war. The tear soak
ed eyes of humanity grshers are be-
ginning to see through the mists and
to contemplate the realism Of the stu
alton. We have assumed an unneces-
sary as we'll as an expensive task, and
at best a thankless one. May we not
before it is ended be led to join almost
despairingly In the unanswerable query
Of Daniel Webster, What is all this
worth2''