The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-21
THE SENATE'S POSITION.
Persist In Making a Mid Suggestion a War
Declaration.
NO DIMUNlTION OF THE WAR SPIRIT,
The appointment Of "a Commission to In
vsstigate the boundary Dispute Mat
ter OF Form to Give This Country
Standing with the World.


character
The anxiety OF several senators upon
both sides OF the chamber TO leave the
appointment OF commission entirely 20
the President seemed to indicate a desire
10 shift all responsibility for the conduct
Of the Investigation 20 the President.
lnasmuch as the sentiment Of both par
ties seemed. however. TO be divided re-
garded the proposition. IL is impossible 10
attach any political significance 60 the
remarks made.
II must be- confessed that the discus
sion In the Senate will hardly have the
effect either OF pacifytng the public
or increasing the respect Of the world
for the course this country Is pursuing.
While the suggestion OF war with Great
Britain was contained in the Presidents
message. 10 was merely mild suggestion
that this country should take firm
stand when 70 has once determined
what is demanded Of IL by the facts In
the case The proposition 10 appoint an
investigating committee is "a simple one,
and one that would be suggested by COM
mon sense. i'm almost any contingency
TREATING lT SERIOUSLY.
But the Senate persists in treating the
matter as seriously as il Il were equiva-
lent 10 a. declaration N war and while
prociaiming that theory do not believe
war will occur. 20 throw ont assertions
that must he viewed to some extent. as
buncombo. and which can only have the
effect of stirring public feeling 20 It's
depths.
As has been already stated in these
dispatches. the situation is grave one,
and the report of the commission IS
not likely 10 relieve IL particle But
the commission is a mere matter of form,
necessary TO give this country proper
standing before the world in the event
Of war. just a. II is necessary 10 take
formal preliminary steps in "a legal SUIT
TO give 10 standing I'm court.
But the Senate insists upon rendering
Judgment I'm advance. and gives to an
action which would otherwise hav, been
but an unlmportant step in the quarrel
between the United states and Great
Britain. Their speeches have been from
the start. Of "a character TO change the
proceeding which the President asks
them 10 take into "a vertual assertion
that the country will fight, unless Eng
DEFIANCE TO GREAT BRIT.
The arguments advanced by Senator
sherman urging delay IN passing the
resolution exaggerated its importance
while those who urged immediate action
virtually bid defiance 10 Great Britain.
and asked the Senate TO take a step from
which there should be no drawing back.
In this manner proposition 90 investi-
gate and ascertain the facts regarding
the boundary line between British Guiana
and Venezuela has been distorted into a
proposition OF war.
II Mr. Cleveland has exceeded the zeal
Of iingoists I'M urgingNan enforcement Of
the Monroe doctrine the Senate has gone
far beyond Mr.. Cleveland I'm making 1t
well-nigh impossible 20 avoid a war with
Great Britain In case Great Britain
proves as stubborn and War-like as the
senators declare the American people will
bc. When 10 As considered that there has
been no doubt that the Senate would
pass the bin from the moment IL was
introduced i'm the House. that at the
same time there DIS as yet no proposition
Of war between the countries IL is diff
cult 10 avoid the conclusion that the
members Of the Senate have been actu-
atcd 10y a desire TO eNaggerate both the
Importance of their action and the inn
portance Of themselves individually.
IT war We're inevitable IL is probable
that their talk would do little harm. but
as each senator processes 10 believe that
war will not occur their 'nnammatory
speeches are doing incalculable harm.
THE SILVER MEN.
The vote in the Senate this morning on
the resolution offered by Senator Allen.
instructing the Finance Committee TO re-
port upon the expcdiency of opening the
minis 20 the free and unlimited coinage
OF silver. the withdrawal of all bank
note currency. and the issuance of an
adequate volume OF full legal-tendei
Treasury notes. gave the silver men their
first opportunity 10 show their strength.
The resolution as originally offered by
the Senator from Nebraska was in the
nature of a war measure. and the reason
urged for its adoption was the possibility
Of a war between Great Britain and
this country might suddenly arise. But
when the preamble was withdrawn the
resolution became merely a resolution In
favor of silver and the vote of the Sen
ate h. significant only as showing the
strength of the silver sentiment i'm the
Senate The resolution. while IT'S effect
sin probably be productive of no greater
results than a report from the Finance
Committee. which is also controlled by
the silver men. must bc regarded as q
serious matter. inasmuch as IL threatens
the present financial system of the coun-
Try with changes which can only be pro-
ductve Of harm.
SILVER OPPORTUNITY.
The majority Of the silver men was so
clearly demonstrated. as was also their
eagerness 10 seize the first opportunity
offered 10 place themselves on record.
that il cannot Doe doubted. in the event
OF further strained relations between the
United States and England. that the
silver men would insist upon comph-
eating an preparations 10 might be ncces-
sary for this country 10 make for the
preservation of its dignity and positions
with legislation. providing for cheap and
fiat money 10 must be regarded as un-
fortunate that at time like the present
the advocates of free coinage should
make covert threat that their readiness
10 support the administration Is depend
ant 20 some extent upon the adoption of
their own ideas of finance
II was due 10 the last war that the
greenbacks became portion of the ma
tional currency and the evils which have
resulted have aided i'm bringing the coun-
Try 90 the verge OF bankruptcy after the
war has partially faded from the recOl-
icctions OF mon IL would. therefore.
seem 10 be little short Of madness TO
take advantage Of mere threat Of war
10 suggest a further extension Of the
same ruinous system. Fortunately how
ever. the silver men have but little stand
ing I'm the House OF Representatives, and
the President will never consent to have
the country further burdened with notes
which must impair It's credit and drain
its resources FOR years 10 come.
yIFUs or COLLIGE MN
They Generally Agree That the Monroe