The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-06-29
FRIDAY, JUNE %. 1900.
A RETROSPECT.

The Times was always opposed to the
war with Spain, and from the very begin
ming of the agitation protested. We could
never see any sufficient cause for that war,
and time and again we asked through
these columns, What is our casus belli?'
And the question was never answered to
the satisfaction of The Times. But there
was a cry for war and the tide could not
be stemmed. 1t came largely from those
who had so lately been arrayed against the
money power and they declared that
the people would rise up and make short
work of the Spaniards If they were not
held in by the financial interests" OF the
country.
Willis ]. Abbott, editor of the New York
Journal, said that failure on the part OF
Mckinley to act dec5sively for Intervention
in behalf of Cuba will leave everything
open for the Democrats to sweep the coun-
try with free Cuba as its Shibboleth.''
Congressman Bailey, leader of the Dem
ocrats in the House, was reported to have
Heaven he was empowered to declare
war" II so his first call would raise
vast army of volunteers. and that within
forty days he would have the Stars and
Stripes floating over Havana.
Congressman Lentz, an Ohio Democrat,
made a speech in the House in which he
denounced the administration for delaying
10 go to war, charging that this policy was
in the interest of stoc!s jobbers in Wall
Street
But the President was slow to act. He
was quoted as saving That he would not
permit himself to be jingoed into war until
he had exhausted every effort in the drec
ton of an honorable peace Senator
Daniel was fair enough 10 say at the time
that he believed The President was pur-
suing the right course, and that he was
not disposed to join with those who We're
cendemning him. We are trying<to show
that the most warlike men in the coun-
try We're the Presidents political oppo-
nents. and certain Democratic members of
Congress Boosted that they compelled the
Republicans to declare war.
But by and by the President saw that
war must come, and at his request Con-
gress on April is, 1898, adopted a "jont
resolution for the recognition of the inde-
pendence OF the people of Cuba which
was equivalent TO a declaration of war.
The only objection of Mr.. Morgan, Mr..
Mason and other warlike Democrats was
that the resolution was not strong enough,
and Mr.. Morgan offered as a substitute a
resolution formally declaring war against
Spain. The war was soon begun aad was
soon over. Spain sued for peace, and
finally treaty was agreed TO by which
1t was provided that Cuba should be free.
but that the Philippines should be ceded
10 the United States. The language is as
plain as it could be made When the
treaty went 10 the Senate of the United
States 10 be ratified there was objection
on the part of some OF the Democrats, but
MI William ]. Bryan, the leader of the
party, advised the Democrats to vote for
the treaty. and it was ratified by the votes
Of forty Republicans, three Popul!sts, ten
Democrats, three Silver men and one In
dependent.
Il
bringing on the war: Democrats and Re-
puaGcans united in ratifsing the treaty of
peace by which the Philippines fell into
our hands. and so up TO to this point the
responsibility was as much upon the one
party as The other. IN taking the Philip
pines i. was clearly out of the question to
follow the line of conduct pursued in the
annexation of territory In former days-to-
wit. with the view eventually and with
the provision expressed that such territory
should finally be admitted into the sister,
hood OF States. Had 1t been proposed 10
pursue this course with reference to the
philippines there would have been pro-
test from Maine to California II was an
emergency. and NE had 70 act on the mo