Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1895-12-20
w. p. WALTON.

THE sensation OF the hour is President
Cleveland's message to Congress on the
Venezuelan question, which resffirms the
Monroe doctrine that no foreign power
shall obtain further foothold upon this
continent and gives the unsatisfactory re-
suit ola correspondence with the British
government with reference to it's seizure
of territory, which appears to properly
belonging to Venezuela. The British
government has refused this govern
ment's friendly overtures in settling the
boundary question by impartial arbitra
ton and the president says that the
course to be pursued by this government
in view OF the present condition does not
appear to admit OF serious doubt. Moth
ing remains but to accept the situation,
t. recognize its plain requirements and
deal with it accordingly. To this end he
suggests that Congress shall authorize an
appropriation for commission which
shall make the necessary examination
aud report without delay. "When such
report is made and accepted" says the
president, sit will, in my opinion, be the
duty of the United States to resist by ev-
cry means in it's power as a willful sg-
gression upon it's rights and interests the
appropriation by Great Britain OF any |
lands or the exercise OF governmental
jurisdiction over any territory which, sf-
ter investigation, we have determined Of
right belong to Venezuela. In making
these recommendations l am fully alive
TO the responsibility incurred aud keenly
realizs all the conse quences that may
follow" These are words with the bark
on them and when they were read in the
sleepy old: Senate the members 80 far
forgot themselves in the enthusiasm OF
the moment that they actually applaud.
ed, while the scene in the House even
more pronouncedy showed that the
president had struck popular chord and
the folowing.dsy it passed unanimously
bill authorizing the president TO appoint
a Venezuelan commission and appropria.
ting 100000 for expenses, while various {
bills were introduced directing the pres {
ident to strengthen the military power f
the United States by adding 1000, 600 in {
fantry rifles. 1000 guns for field ar {
tillery, and not exceeding 5000
guns for fertilization. Should the q
commission report in favor OF the f
claims of Venezuela nothing would
for this country to do but fight or 8
back down and II the present feeling con- v
tinues the latter will be out OF the ques.
ton. War between the two great Eng Il
lish speaking countries would be a ca o
lamity great and far reaching, but il the
honor OF the nation is involved we can a
not afford to do other wise than maintain Fl
Il. Peace with honor and war only after
all friendly overtures have failed, should s
be our motto. But il we have to fight a
We can present a solid front with the
south yieiDg with the North in its sup Is
port OF the common country and then II
sd be be who first cries hold enough"
The message has received the highest 81
praise everywhere, increasing the love N
md respect OF the presidents friends and
compelling the admiration OF bis enc p
nies. There is o.Jingoism about it; it "
8 American in tone and patriotic in SEN
imsnt, and the sentences show an alb d,
ence of stage play and a serious earn ~
stness that befits the subject He dep
e,ates wartsnd ia fully alive to its griev- fe
us results, but he adds and all the peo- Al
lie say Amer "There is no calamity
Vhich q great nation can invite which OF
q lals that which follows a supine sub. 70
Mission to wrong and injustice, and the st
ops squent loss of National self-respsct
nd honor beneath which is shielded es
nd defended peoples safety and great r,
cas-" The document will rank among Ju
ne creates. State papers as the author
ow and always will rank among the no
restest men this country has ever pro- Br
u ed. of