Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1806-05-16

I.
in making itas perfect as they can. saah
vote fer the amendmens OF the gents man
from Virginia, or for any other calculated
10 bring this subject fairly before those TO
whom we are responsible tor our concacs.
The journal is the best answer 70 their
speeches. Amend it as they will they can.
not realize the public expectations. It's
publication, firmly believe, will excite no
sentiment but surprise. On the day 'he H..
junction of secrecy was taken Oh, your
doors were erouded with persons ANXIOUS
to hear this tremendous secret. ! Witness
ed no,hisg but disappointment. congress
has appropriated two millions OF dollars 20
buy Florida. Is this all Have you nor
seafsea,ed the public debt? Or at any G..
vent the Louisiana stock? Most certainly
you have voted money to bribe asleyranG
No, / assure you, we have done nothing
more than appropriate TWO millions OF a'''
lars for lAe purchase OF Flor'da ia aiaw'
containing precisely the same words WHO
the one passed for that purpose, IN the year
1908, and supported by the very PerseSs
who have denounced this neaanrs. Gen
tlemen have attic mp,ed to draw distinction
be,ween the situation of the United States
in the wear 1903, and in the year 1906.
ara not so uacandid as to say that the pre-.
sent diHsrsaeea with Spain. ara precisely
such as ws had in the year 1908. ais'
however, will say, thss every sDleetioa
urged against the present aPPropr'a''o',.
applies with equal force TO the measur OF
1908. Let us examine what YVES TIE sta'
alton Of the United States with Spain at.
reese two psriods.
In the year 1908, Spain had comnls'ed
sea!iatiens on eur commerce 10 a consider
able amount, the paymsnt of which has
been either whslly or 10 part refused one
had snt off the Whole western eoanuy frem
an cutie, to the ocean, by prohibiting
deposi. at Orleaas, and refusing 10 assign
an equivalent one elsewhere, as stlPuiatsa
by treaty. The remedy adopted by the
collected wisdom of the nation was hslding
in readiness a detaehment OF militia, and
making a secret APPROPRIATED to BUY re.
rida.
la the wear 1906, Spain had refus d an
arnicable adjustment. OF limits; had refused
40 pay spoliation. on Our commerce had
in one instance violated oar territory. !ke
remedy resor,sd to has been to mold in rea
diness detachment of militia, and 70 ap.
propriate money for the purchase OF Flo
ridao
This was the situation Of the nation at
these two periods. Whether at either Pc.
Rod, the wissst course has been pursued,
shall ne, at,smp, 20 prove. la both cases
the nation adopted the came principle. To
avoid war if possible, and to purchase ter.
risory, rather than 6ghs for it. AL the
s,roag objections urged against the mea-
sure at present adopted, apply win equal
force TO the measure adopted IN 1908.
The two laws contain precisely the same
words, and asither specify the objess OF
appropriations. The law Of 1903 was pass
ed in secret with closed doors. he law
of 1906 was passed in the same manner.
The appropriation in 1908 was not recon.
meaded by the executive, bat founded On
resolution submitted by nenbsr OF he
mouse Oh representatives.. Az oFPi'P'iA
ton in 1906 was not recommended by tins
executive, but founded on a resolution
submitted by member Of the house of
representatives also. The object OF the APP
propria,ion in be year 1905, was concealed
from the people twelve mon,hs-in 'he
year 1906, made public III few weeks.
Geatlspep may draw nice distinctions, but
they will fnd it diRicult to make she, pee
pie believe that the measure adopted III
1905 was wise aue virraeas, and the came
1neasure Ia 1906, Infamous. appeal with
confidence to the people, they will snd
must see, that this is the very same mea.
sure adopted three years ago, without
noise, in law eontsi sog he sane words
passsd In secret Ia the same naanfer, and