You haven't seized an opportunity to run away from some distant results of the war into which Congress plunged the country before dreaming how far it might spread.
Whitelaw Reid
The Public Record
Whitelaw Reid was an American politician, diplomat and newspaper editor, as well as the author of Ohio in the War, a popular work of history.
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You haven't dodged for us the responsibilities we incurred.
How could men representing this country, jealous of its honor, or with an adequate comprehension either of its duty or its rights, do otherwise?
It was a war to put down a rule over an alien people, which we declared so barbarous that we could no longer tolerate it.
How could we consent to secure peace, after we had broken down this barbarous rule in two archipelagos, by agreeing that one of them should be forced back under it?
We did not think a self-respecting, civilized, responsible Christian Power could.
That is the price nations must pay for going to war, even in a just cause.
I was not one of those who were eager to begin this war with Spain; but I protest against any attempt to evade our just responsibility in the position in which it has left us.
If we dawdle, and hesitate, and lead them to think we fear them and fear trouble, our trouble will be great.
If, on the other hand, we grasp this nettle danger, if we act promptly, with inexorable vigor and with justice, it may be slight.
God give us the courage to purify our politics and strengthen our Government to meet these new and grave duties!
It will make an end forever of Spain in this hemisphere.