Truce To Parties

The President has flnally aeted. He has set the hand and seal of the executive approval to the delibérate action of the supreme legislature, and from now on the country is formaliy committed to its policy of Cuban emancipation and war, if necessary to its aconiplishment. Stripped of all its verbiage, the issue as rormulated is clear and distinct - it ík this, "The people of the island of Cuba are and of right ought to be free nul independent." It is fortúnate for the country that this proposition, utvin tlie truth of which we offer wager of battle not only to Spain but to all the world should it dispute its verity, involves no partisan differences of opinión in the people of our common country. Demócrata and Republicana meet upun the level when the sacred name of liberty is to be invoked or when ! er outraged alt ars cali us to their defense. Henceforth until thi? jjovernment shall have triumphantly established the everlasting truth of iU second deelaraUon of human independence, there i.-i and ought to be no opportunity for par! tisan differance and animcsity, no hairsplittlng about the definition of "ireedpm" or "independence," no hesitation abjut the vlgorous. united ani dtitermined effort to make gn.irl at whatever cosf the majestlc truthof our assertion. There will be time for politics w':ier the flag of Spain i.s forever banished from the island of Cuba and the Stars and Stripes float in its stead in every zephyr Ihat kisses the r;ueen of the Southern seas. But even then, we believe that Demoerats and Republicans will unanimously agree, as they silently do today, that there is no "freedom" in all the world comparable to the freedom of the people of these United States, that there is no "independence" except that which is guaranteed and given beneath the sword and buckler of the American Union and symbolized by her starry flag. There is room in its field of blue for another star, and the lonely star of Texas, which set in honor to rise in glory in the constellation of the states, will flash a loving welcome to its Cuban sister when it joins the splendid galaxy. Then, and not till then, let politics intervene. The reconstruction of the Cuban state and the terms of its admission, the shaping of its constitution and the framing of its legislation will afford a field for partisan activity. and Democrats and Republicans may rightfülly contest the debatable ground. We are moved to these remarles by this extract from the speech of Rep. Grosvenör, of Ohio, in the house April Tth, which was ais follows: 'Tliis war will be fought under the banner of the Republican administratian of this government or it will not be fought at all. ' The people have said that this war wil! be fought under the banner of the American Revolution, of 181-, of 1846, of the Tinion and of Liberty, very often and very truly called "Old Glory." Tuesday last Rep. Grosvenör had the courage and the good sense to recall and explain his offensive remarks. This war knows no Republican flag, no Democratie flag. no flag in fact but the flag of the Union, and Cuba in it. War and taxation go hand in hand. The greater and more violent tnt war, the greater and more burdensome the taxes. The house committee on ways ;md means expect to report their revenUe bill on Saturday next. The committee has decided upon a doublé tax "il beer, making it $2 per barre!, and :i doublé tax on manufactured tobáceo f rom six to VI cents per pcund. Cigars over three pounds per 1,000, $4; the existing law being $3. The same when weighing three pounds or less, $2 per 1,000. Cigarettes same tax vvILh same mcrease, The committee has put stamp taxes on telegraph mes3ages, all receipts by express and other carrled i ompanies, and all kinds of instrurnents such as bilis of exchange, fire, marine and life insurance policies, bonds, certificates, power of attorney, bank checka and everything of that kind so the bill wlïl raise $30,000,000 from a stamp tax. From beer, $30,000,000; tobáceo, $15,000,060, and from stamp . $30,000,000 - in the aggregate $75,000, uuO from these sources. There wlll be a tax on green coffee of three cents; on roasted coffee, four cents, and tea 10 cents. -Minister Polo, who has reeeived his passports and is now in Canada, he will not remain there loig for the reason that the war between his country and Uncle Sam will be of short duration and will result in a victory of Spanish arras. In the vernacular of the small boy, "Polo is talking through his hat." It. is centurlea since poor, blöod-thlrsty Spain has tasted of the fruits of victory. She has been whipped in Cuba before, ard it t.iok only 16,000 American and English troops to di it They took possession of Havana and Morro castle. The capture, as all students of history well know, was made in 1762 by 2,000 American provincial troops and 14,000 Brltish troops under Lord Albemarie. Israel Putnam, afterward famous as "Old Put," commanded one of the American regiments. The army landcel in June, Morro castle was stormed July 30, and Havana surrendered August 11. Thirty thousand Spanish aoi("Mers and sailors took part in the defense, but the y were completely overp iwered by an army half as large. (Mr. Polo will please take notice). Twelve Spanish line-of-battle ships were in the harbor, three of which were smk to block the entrarme. Tne ish acptured property worth 14,000,000, At one time during the seige an immense number oí the Britisli were slck. Kngland made a great mlstake when ii. year later it traded Havana back tu Spain. The Spanlsh all were licked and they will be licked again. The Holland submarine torpedo boat made a run under water Saturday afternoon from Old ure hard L,ight, in Lhe lower bay, to Kast Point buoy, New York, a distance of more than a mild and a half. There was not a sign on I surface of the water from the moment she went down till she .carne up .1 black speek in the aistame te show her whereabouts. Thia trial was one of several adjustment runs which have been arranged in preparation for the government test tomorrow. Yankee in genulty has aguin come to the front, ;:nd a surprise will be in stor the Spanish. By with figures The Times has made it appear that the lowest bid for pa ving Main street with asphalt is hut $214 above the lowest i'l for brlck pavement when, as a matter of fact, the dlfterence is $2,2ü5.30 In tavor of brick. The bids of the contractors were for the work as a win .Ie. There were no separate bids for pavement alone. The figures subniitted for storm sevvers are to be deducted from the total bids only in ea.-e storm sewers are not built. Tinse figurea are at best dummies and there no warrant for taking the differettee ben tho gross bids and the amnunt stlpulated for storm sewera an-1 cailing it the cost of brick pavement.