New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-09
SELECTIONS FROM THE NAIL.
THE DUTY OF THE NATION.


A COSTLY SACRIFICE on BEHALF OF THE cUBANs
IMPOSED on THE UNITED STATES
To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: Our National history shows that 1t has al
ready been our destiny suffer and bleed as
people and Nation fer three great principles In
human progress: First for religious liberty sec
ond for civil liberty. both Of these for ourselves
and third. for the personal liberty or an ehsiaVeo
and despsed race in one section Of our country.
And now after thirty years Of peace the cali -
Arms." Is again IN our land and mothers are weep
ing as they listen 20 the tramp, tramp OF the
marching soldiers whose brave young feet are re-
spending to the buglo call Of war for the liberia
ton Of the oppressed Of another nation less imam
q hundred miles from our shores.
care these poor Cubans worth all this was
asked yesterday. as from the eminence on Mount
Cretna PENNSYLVANIA | saw zen thousand troops.
National Guards pass IN review on that great
camping ground which reminds one or the oatte-
feld OF Waterloo. where Pennsylvania IS drIiiihg
her men for n service TO which our destiny ae
Nation is beckOning Us on.
We'll might this question be asked. as Pennsyl-
van!a Ike other States IS Offering its cosilies;
treasure its noblest young men. Not a low, base
face was noted among all those embatiling hosts
wno passed swiftly in the manoeuvres and evolu-
tons Of the drill tha: Is converting these citizens
into soldiers 10 be intrused with our Nations h'sh
calling
always realized that the protection she owes TO
herself and to the Nation should be intrusted 10 men
VINO have an !ntHreet in the State. Most OF the pes
blood brains. attainments positions and possessichs
In this StaIe are here from n sense OF loyalty to
duty" as no pointed out privatcs IN the cavalry
and other service who could draw their checks Tor
hundreds Of thousands and even million dor
lars and ohors who represent the wealth OF
achieving ability as well as possessions from every
feid OF human effort In the Keystone state
Conquest for selfish ambition OF any KIND. the
usual motives for war could not command such
an army "a this which has voluntarily exchanged
che comforts OF luxurious homes for the hardshps
OF the com:oon soldier and the possible periis OF
war This scene duplicated in every state IN our
land IN proportion TO its size, warrants the Ques
ton,
Are tn, Cubans worth this costT
Thirty years ago, as our destiny beckoned us on
with roll Of drums on batte-troubled air we heard
the voice "i-e, my people 60" and human chatter
slavery was TO more. II we ask, Was the poor
ilrrtutored slave in the cotton fields and tho rice
swamps worth the costly sacrifice Of the micn%Ue
OF the nob.St youth OF our landY history p49ih.s
feat until We let the bond.an3 e; o.u.o
our past shows that as Nation we are cameo
liberty. freedom for the oppressaD. We do not
deny our many faults as Rsope o hep n we are
Striving TO remove as We accept our high destiny
bs Of the onr Goa Snd S
Einety miles from our shores two hundred tnon-
death. as method Of warfare. by nation who's
pasfirncs are sights OF cruelty moro BETTING
%ero's day than these last DAYS OF the nneteelttn
rertiiry Should the sons Of our sires stand idly
nv when remembrance and entreaty fall
Arc the Cubans worth this sacrihce! Inc ZOO
OF nations does not estimate values as we 90 Ihat
the strong In attainment IN nobility Of character
end in possession should rescue the weak Is the
loftiest virtue and reflection OF His spirit whose
supreme sacrifice for inferior race Is the glory
Then let us reverently accept our mission,
thanking God that He could trust Il 70 u.. looking
10 heaven for help. Lest forget. Lest ". for
GET - MARY II. NUM-
Boston Mass. May Z. 1905.