The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-10-05

The Baltimore Sun moralizes upon the
present state OF things in an editorial
article. after the following fashion:
II we estimate the gain Of prestige in
the eyes of the world achieved for Us
by Dewey at Manila and Schley at San
tiago. and place side hv side with II the
loss OF moral influence consequent upon
our abandonment OF former ideals for ter
ritorial ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. which Of the two
will be found 10 be the greater We
were stronger than Spain and our navy
was fairly efilcient-that the world Is
now bound 10 admit. But have Wa in
creased our reputation for justice. unset
0shness and resrect for the rights of
man? We formerly condemned land
grabbing" as illustrated by the territorial
acquisitions Of England. Russia, or
France We svmpathiZcd with the efforts
Of every people TO obtain home rule.
we called upon China and Japan 10 trust
rs as the only DISTINGUISHED nation. HUI
mainly. generosity and love Of peace were
orr characteristic traits. Respect for law
and constitution was our boast But the
nations begin. we fear to suspect our
professions and lament our moral de-
cadence II is. indeed. disheartening TO
find unctuous rectiiude ending thus I'm
what looks like ordinary cupidity.-Balti-
more sun.
Is there any justice in this jeretnai5?
What IS there in the course of the United
states since we went to war with Spain
that should lessen our reputation for JUS
tice. unseldshness and respect for the
rights Of man?
The Times was opposed to the war with
no a
state Of affairs existed in that island
which It was hard for liberty-loving Anne
ricans TO endure. and II must be admitted
By the whole world that the result Of the
war has been God-send to Cuba, We did
nothing in this direction but drive the
Spainiards out and set Cuba free.
We are not land-grabbers therefore, up
TO this period. We took possession Of
Porto Rico because it was really the only
course open under the circumstances. and
the Porto Ricans themselves consented
to It.
We have kept absolute faith with the
Cubans. We announced at the beginning
that we had no idea Of aggrandizing our
selves at Cuba's expense, but that we in
tended TO set them up upon their own
account just as soon as they showed
themselves capable Of conducting a gov
eminent for themselves. We have not
done one thing up to this time that is in
consistent with that declaration. We are
unfolding the Cubans and doing all in our
power to educate them TO that sort Of
self-control which must precede their rule
of the country. That they will be given
this rule when they are capable Of exer-
csing It, is as certain as anything in the
future can be.
As for the Philippines, we would be de-
linauent and disgraced II we failed to DO
lust what we are now doing there. In
the natural progress OF the war we were
compelled TO overthrow the only govern
ment that the islands had and we can
not, as q conscientious people leave the
Islands until we restore a government
there capable Of protecting life and pro-
perty and preserving the peace.
There IS nothing, therefore, in the
course of the United States Government
that justifes any such article the
Suns. and we are surprised that so con-
servative and just a newspaper should
have printed It.