Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-08-12
WHY WE FIGHT SPAIN.
Something About the Misdesds of
Our Naughty Foe.

| To the Editor OF the Dispatch
| Some persons appear TO have great diff
| Guilty in understanding the cause which
brought on the present war with Spain,
| and they are very much exercised as TO
the reasons for it--indeed. many OF them
declare that there was no sufficient rea-
son and no justifable causel
Such persons have short memories, and
forget the events of the last nifty years.
These things were not done In a corner
and are not far 10 seek.
For more than half century Cuba has
been the subject OF debate and contention
and many attempts have been made by
negotiation and otherwise TO obtain pos
session Of her. Some of our Presidents
have made positive and definite offers 10
buy the island and thereby acquire
peaceable possession. There have been
almost periodical instructions by her
people in vain efforts to secure their in
dependence, and we know with what
cruel and merciless severity these have
been queled. These Instructions have
always been the occasion OF excitement
among our own people, and we know how
ready and willing we have been 10 re-
sponG 70 the cry for help from our suf-
fering neighbor and nothing but the
strong ann OF the law has been able
10 restrain US from active interference.
II that had been Withdrawn one hundred
thousand men at any time during the
last five years would have hurried into
the island and rescued II from the ty
ranny and oppression which has so long
desolated II and retarded its progress.
The many filibustering expeditions which
have been organized in this country afford
al, do axfI Of he 81 90
feeling. and the treatment OF them by
Spain, when captured. has intensified that
feeling almost beyond endurance. We re-
member the fate OF Lopez and his brave
compatriots, and OF the Virginius and
her gallant and unfortunate crew and
passengers. These occurrences alone
would have been almost sufficient justi-
hcaton for our active Intervention.
When we add TO them the sufferings OF
the people OF the island. and the inhu-
man barbarities Of the Spanish Govern
ment. there was no longer room for hesi-
tation, and forbearance on our part was
almost criminal
You remember how some months ago
we were anxiously hoping and expecting
that the governments OF Europe, and es-
pecially OF Great Britain. would interfere
in behalf OF the unhappy and prosecuted
ArMenidnS Wben desOlated ana murdered
by the Unspeakable Turk, and how dis
appointed and incensed We were at their
failure TO come 10 the rescue?
President Cleveland gave expression 10
the feeling Of our people when he served
formal notice on the Spanish Government
that the condition Of affairs on the island
had become intolerable. and that unless
was restored within a certain
tfrlq (which he namedl N WonId hacnpna
the duty OF the United States actively TO
interpose and put stop 20 such a la
mentable state OF things-not alone In
the interests OF humanity. but TO protect !
our own citizens resident on the island. |
whose persons and property have been
repeatedly and wantonly violated and
their lives placed in constant jeopardy.
The condition Of the island had become |
q reproach 10 the civilized world. and es-
pecially to the people OF the United /
States. who arr ia sa sesscial mapnar-