The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1898-08-03
The Terms Of Peace.
(From our Washington Corrcspondent)

lt ItI Va N"SSs
(From our Washing g:on Corrcspondent.)
Mr.. Mckinley has an opportunity
such as has presented itself to only
two other Presidents in all our histo-
ry-Washineton and Lincoln, and it
remains to be seen whether he, like
them, is equal to the occasion. While
it is not yet known what definite shape
the terms of peace will ultimately
take, surface Indications seem to
Justify the conclusion that the Ad-
ministration is going to fall down.
that it is going to fail to measure up
10 the high standard established by
history. Sir. Mchinley's Admins
tration Of the Government has never
been free from the all-powerful con
troll of the money-power. That sinis
ter and selfish influence has been felt
and visible in every measure inspir-
ed or fathered by the President and
his cabinet; and, in no instance, has
its pernicious effects been more pain
fully apparent than in the first out
ward Indication of the proposed
terms of peace-it is little better than
an overt surrender to the money
power. 1t proposes to take the ISL
and of Porto Rico in lieu of war-in-
demnity--that is the plain substance
of the proposals, stripped of all YER
biage and diplomatic technicality.
That is to say, while we acquired the
whole immense province covered by
the Louisiana purchase for about
S15,O00,O00, and the whole world Of
mineral wealth comprehended in
Alaska for some $7,200,0G0, Mr.. Nc
Kinley and his advisers propose to
take tie suall island OF Porto Rico in
lieu of a war indemnity OF some $780,
100000; for the actual cost OF the
war, by the time peace has been fully
restored, will not fall short OF that
fabulous sum. The independence Of
Cuba goes without saying and is not
worth being included in tue consider
alton OF the terms of peace: hence,
the terms, as indicated, are: Cession
to the United States OF Porto Rico,
and all other Spanish possessions in
the West Indies; two or more coal,
ing stations in the Pacific Ocean
without claiming the Philippines or
any war-indemnity. In other words,
our acquisitions of territory are to
cost US three or four times what they
are actually worth, and we are to get
no indemnity for the destruction of
the Maine, no consideration for the
life blood of our brave heroes that
fell in battle. And why? Ah, the
reason is not far to seek nor hard to
find. The influence of the American
holders OF Spanish bonds explains it
all. Holding the Philippines and ex-
acting war-indemnity commensur-
ate with the actual cost OF the war
would materially impair the market
value of these bonds, if they did not
utterly destroy it, and the Admins
tration is trying to carry water on
both shoulders: it is trying to i'm
press the people that it is governed
by an idea single to their glory, and
at the same time it is trying to so ad-
Just the issues of war as not to i'm
pair the value Of any securities held
by the Hannas, Morgans, Belmonts,
Astors, Vanderbilts, Goulds and mon
ey syndicates. 1t is making, in other
words, master effort to deceive the
people and serve its masters. But
the people are blind, indeed, if they
accept as genuine such transparent
subterfuge and palpable surrender of
the just and honorable trophies OF
arduous war. We should vigorously
prosecute the war until we had actu-
ally hoisted our flag over and taken
possession ofall of these Spanish pos
sessions, and then imposed these cou-
ditions: retention, by right Of con-
quest, Of all of the newly acquired
territory and the payment of an in
demnity sufficient to cover all OF the
expenses sustained by this Govern
ment in waging the war-includlng
the value of the Maine and personal
indemnity for the family OF each VIC
tim who lost his life in this midnight
assassination by Spanish treachery.
As the days Of peace restored draw
nigh, the days of plunder, bargain
and sale seem to become painfully
near; but will the people suffer them
selves to be sold out, body and soul,
without entering some sort of pro-
test? Are all OF the sentinels of lib
erty on the posts of duty asleep? Are
they going to leave all of the most
trying and telling hours Of the con-
hict solely in the hands OF those who
know nothing but sel6shness and per-
sonal aggrandizement? Protests are
numerous; but they should be over
whelming.
woman's STRENGTH lies in her