The herald., 1898-04-11
A MAGNIFICENT SPECTACLE

Montesqueu said that Richelieu
| taught France the secret of its strength
and foreign nations to respect it. A
Richelieu is not needed to teach Ameri-
cans the strength of their country, but
men at the head of affairs who will COM
pei other nations to respect it. General
Gordon said the English people were
lions led by an ass. The Americans in
the mass are lions, who, when led by
an ass, will force his retirement and
raise up leaders worthy of them.
There have been American presidents
unequal to the tasks and responsible
ties cast upon them, who have been
dragged and pushed to take action in
obedience to popular demands, and
others who have given direction to
thought and opinion. In the first case
the people have put themselves into
leadership, but in regard to the other
class of presidents the people have con-
tented themselves with following their
leader. Presidents of the first class
have embarrassed the nation and have
gone into private life in disrepute, while
those of the other have earned high rep
utation for themselves and honor and
fame for their country.
The American people have ever been
equal to whatever emergency has con-
fronted them. They have sometimes
been divided, but there have always been
sufficient number of stalwart men to
protect the interests and honor of the
nation.
There never has been difference with
foreign nation when the people of
this country were so nearly unanimous
as now. The nation never before eX
hibited SO grand a spectacle. The yeo-
manry of all sections are in unison, but
the crowning feature of the spectacle
is the clasping of hands by veteran fed
erals and confederates in pledges of
fidelity to the flag. 1t is without par
allel in all history. Sectionalism and
partisanism have disappeared all other
questions are laid aside in the presence
of one in which national duty and honor
are involved. No section, no party can
lay claim to superior patriotism.
The party in power is usually earnest
to sustain the policy and conduct of its
administration. The opposition is apt
to attempt to embarrass. In the pres
ent emergency the opposition is abso-
lutely harmonious in forcing action that
will protect American rights and compel
respect for them.
Whatever opposition there is to recog-
nizing Cuban independence, and calling
Spain to account for injuries to Ameri
can citizens and their property, and for
coercing redress for the destruction of
an American warship and of American
lives, comes from the ranks Of the party
in power. If the president finally adopts
a course in accordance with popular de-
mands it will have been forced on him
by the opposition party. To it may right
fully be attributed the credit for main
tanning the prestige of the country.
Should the president fail altogether or
fall short in doing what the American
people demand, it will not be the fault
of the Democratic party, and if congress
takes aggressive action in calling Spain
to account it will be brought about by
the patriotism and vim of the Demo-
cratic members of the two houses.
Why has Mckinley procrastinated?
Does he not feel the patriotic pulsations
of the great American heart? 1t is not
difficult in this country to discover what
public sentiment is. No effort is re-
uuired, for it is manifested without the
asking. There is very little compromis-
ing feeling. In the main it exacts what
is due the dignity of the nation, and the
claims of humanity. What the people
want to have done is clearly defined.
They see as fully and distinctly what
may be the consequences of forcing
Spain to do what liberty, humanity and
national self-respect require as does the
president.
The southern states in the present i'm
broglio are conspicuous and interest
ing figure. Since the people of that sec
ton threw down their arms loyalty to
the flag has been challenged to promote
party success, and in the present emerg-
ency they have not only opportunity to
perform their duty to the country the
same as the people of other sections, but
to achieve recognition of their patriot
ism by proofs the most convincing.
Never before had president such as
surance that his hands would be held
up as Mckinley. This is not because any
body Of the yeomanry Of the country de-