Remember the Maine

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Mar 28, 1911

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 38, No. 13.

"Remember the Maine"

It is well sometimes to make haste slowly. When the battle-ship Maine blew up in Havana Harbor, Feb. 15, 1898, it was directly charged to the Spanish government by a large number of newspapers. Excitement ran high, and there is but little doubt that President McKinley was forced into a war which he believed was avoidable. But the explosion in the Maine precipitated the war, and "Remember the Maine" became the "patriotic" slogan, the battle-cry of millions.

Now the Government, after all these years, is attempting to raise the exploded battle-ship and the more than two hundred men who sank with it. It will cost probably $1,000,000 to do it. It has been reported that already it is found that the explosion which sank the Maine was from within, due perhaps to accident. This report has been unconfirmed. But the truth ought to be known. If found to be true, what an awful lesson it will be of hasty, inconsiderate judgment! If it had not been believed that Spanish authorities or influences sank the Maine, the probabilities are that war would not have broken out. Think then of the fearful fruit which followed the rash, mad judgment.

It is just such rashness and unholy desire for revenge that makes mobs, always bad in a community, however small, but a fearful thing when it involves a nation.

The just ought to demand a fair trial of the accused, whoever he may be. The Christian should be willing to commit all things to the higher court. The poet has well said,

The evil can not brook delay, The good can well afford to wait.