Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1898-03-27
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Copyright, I898.)

l "As far as I am concerned, l have no idea that there is to be any war be- tween Spain and the United States. A country that can't conquer Cuba cer- tainly has no very fattering chance of overwhelming the United States. Of course, there is some wisdom even in Spain, and the Spaniards who know anything of this country know that it would be absolute madness and the ut most extreme of folly to attack us. I believe in treating even Spain with per feet fairness. 1 feel about that coun- try as Burns did about the devil O, l wad ye talk thought an mendH I know that nations, like people, do as they must, and I regard Spain as the victim and result of conditions, the fruit of a tree that was planted by ig- norance and watered by superstition.
 q believe that Cuba is to be free, and I want that island to give a new flag 1 to the air, whether it ever becomes q part of the United States or not My sympathies are all with those who are struggling for their rights, trying to get the clutch of tyranny from their threats; for those who are defending their homes, their iresides, against ty- rants and robbers.
 "Whether the Maine was blown up by the Spaniards is still question: I suppose 1t will soon be decided. In my own opinion, the disaster came from l the outside, but do not know, and not knowing, am willing to wait for the sake of human nature. I sincerely hope that it was an accident. I hate to think that there are people base and cruel enough to commit such an act. Still ] think that all these matters will be settled without war
 ssI am in favor of an international court, the members to be selected by the ruling nations of the world; and before this court I think all questions between nations should be decided, and the only army and the only navy should be under it's direction, and used only for the purpose of inforeing it's de- crees. We're there such court now, before which Cuba could appear and tell the story of her wrongs, of the murders, the assassinations, the treach- cry, the staryings, the cruelty, think that the decision would instantly be in her favor and that Spain would be driven from the island. Until there is such a court there is no need of talking about the world being civilized.
 .l am not d Christian. but I do be- lieye in the religion of justice, of kind l ness. I believe in humanity. I do be- 1 lieye that usefulness is the highest pos sible form of worship. The useful man i is the good man, the useful man is the real saint. care nothing about super natural myths and mysteries, but do care for human beings. l have q little short creed of my own, not very hard l to understand, that has in it no con- l tradictions, and it is this: Happiness is the only good. The time 10 be happy is now. The place to be happy is here The way to be happy is to make others so.' I think this creed if adopted would do away with war. I think it would destroy superstition, and I think it would ciyilize even Spain.
 While my sympathies are all with Cuba, and while 1 have been anxious that the United States should acknowl- edge the indepedence of Cuba, still I am willing to admit that President Me Kinley knows more about this matter than I do; and I think that probably he has many facts in his possession of which I know nothing. Now I am sat isfied that he is a brave and patriotic man. am satisfied that he sympa- thizes with all people struggling to be free. and consequently I am willing to wait, believing that the end will jus tify his course. At the same time I re- member, and hope the administration will not forget, that the people of America are with Cuba"