The herald., 1895-12-21

one and II was only recently that the
United States had taken cognizance of the
question. The presidents message invites
no haste. The American people need no
special incitemeut to their interest in up.
holding the Monroe doctrine. He said
that while he had insisted upon preventing
European encroachment upon American
soil, we had ourselves disregarded the doc
trine in the case of Mexico in taking pos
session of Texas and California. AS a
matter of fact the doc ctrine had never been
applied in any specific case. England, be
said, is taking a very grave view of this
matter.
II am firmly convinced" he said, "that
this controversy will be settled by England
and Venezuela, and that not drop of
American blood will be shed i'm its adjust
ment."
Mr.. Sherman proceeded to argue
earnestly for the adoption of the amend
ments suggested by the committee on for
eign relations. He regretted that there
should be an attempt to pass this bill
under the stress of excitement, especially
as that excitement was not founded on
actual danger. He counselled deliberation
and deprecated undue and eager haste as
unbecoming to the dignity of the senate.
Mr.. Mills democrat, Texas) who next
took the floor, thought thai throughout the
discussion the senate had overlooked the
most important consideration. Mr.. Allen,
he said, had announced that money was
the essential element in the successful
1t might be possible, he said, that If the
mints were thrown open and the printing
presses were started, the people might
have more money in their rockets, but
when we propose TO go to war with the
greatest nation on earth, the question of
where our revenues were to come from
was confessedly vital matter.
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The strength of the enemy was not to be
underestimated. With Senator Sherman,
he said, his voice was for peace, but it
must be honorable and consistent peace.
Today the United States and Great
Britain stood face to face. They had tried
to reach an agreement and had failed. The
president had said we should insist upon
our position and resist England with all
our power.
I'VE are standing on the brink of bat
tle," said he, land prudence requires that
we should look 10 our strong box.'
He pointed out the vast differences be-
tween our resources and obligations now
and during the civil war. Then, said he,
we did not have burden of $lSO,OOO, 900
OF pensions to carry, and we had as a
source OF revenue an income tax of un-
questioned legality and taxes on domestic
manufactures. The latter had been re.
pealed. The former had been swept away
by a decision OF the supreme court. Prac-
tically. the only source left was the GUS
toms duties on imports. But where were
the imports to come from if the States
we're to war with the mistress of the sea:
And now, standing on the edge of this
conflict, the country is without the means
of taxation to raise the revenue essential
for such vast undertaking,H he declared.
The senator demanded, before we plunge
into this conflict, that this congress adopt
a constitutional amendment, to be at once
submitted to the legislatures, for the tax
alton of real and personal property. The
American people would never tolerate such
a law under ordinary circumstances, but
when the American honor and the Ameri-
can dignity were at stake the people are
always ready to shoulder the burden essen
tial TO carry forward any conflict that may
come.
Mr.. Lodge (Rep., Mass.) said he would
not offer his amendment, heretofore pro-
posed, limiting the inquiry to April 1st
next. He said he regarded it essential that
there should be no division ON this subject.
The senate, the house and the president
should stand together. They should show
to the world that we are as firm as ada
mant. The assertions made in London
that Il is was only an electioneerinR dodge
should be answered by united and definite
action which would leave the subject be-
yond the possibility of msconstruction.
I'VE should say to those people in Lon
dom" proceeded Mr.. Lodge, "that the
American people can not be dismayed or
diverted by the efforts to cause a scare by
selling American stocks, calling American
loans and endeavoring to cause a panic in
Wall street."
There was hearty applause from the gall
leries as Mr.. Lodge closed
Mr.. Stewart pointed out the constant en-
croachments OF Great Britain in Venezu-
ella, Nicaragua and various points in the
western world. The senator did not be-.
lieve war would come, but if it did the
country would uphold every step the presi-
dent might take in supporting the Monroe
doctrine.
Again the galleries. broke out with ap-
plause.
Mr.. White (Dem.) of California, urged
that the president be left unhampered in
the selection of the commission. The sen.
ator did not believe the warcloud was as
ominous as it appeared to some senator's.
He could not think that a solution was i'm.
possible, consistent with the dignity of the
two nations.
Mr.. Mitchell (Rep.) of Oregon, in brief
colloquy with Mr.. White, took occasion to
state what he believed to be the correct in
depreciation of the Monroe doctrine,
namely, that no European power should be
permitted to acquire one foot of soil in ad-
dition to what they now own in the west
ern hemisphere.
Mr.. Caffery, Democrat of Louisiana, fol-
lowed in a slow and measured speech,
which was listened to with great attention.
VT is because think war imminent" he
said, "if the contentious of either side are
strenuously pressed, that hope for con-
servative action by the senate. Should
war come, ON the senate and house of rep
resentatives must rest the responsibility,
for congress is invested solely with the war
making power.
'Why should there be haste?" asked the
senator, ''in determining our course on
suoh a momentous issue? Was our COM
merce hampered or our ships delayed? Or
is there any condition which calls for
hasty action?"
The senator urged calm and dispassion-
ate consideration of the case. He had
he could not view without the deepest ap.
prehension course which might bring war
to this country. The very appointment of
this commission seemed to him warlike
step. 1t was, he believed, very extreme
application OF the Monroe doctrine which
made the United States fix the boundaries
between European and a South Ameri-
can government. He believed the people
of the United States would respond to
call to arms and furnish adequate revenue
for the prosecution of war with the greatest
nation on earth. 1t is said that there was
no danger of war. He did not share this
Mr.. Chandler followed Mr. Gallery in a
speech replete with keen sarcasm, but
in its advocacy of immediate
action.
Yesterday, he said, he thought it would
he wise To amend the hill. TO-DAY ho did