The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-12-08
THE MESSAGE.

President Cleveland's last commune
cation to congress is marked by the
strong patriotism which has grown
with his services to his country. 1t has
breadth Of view, strength of convic-
ton and a wonderful earnestness Of
purpose. It Is marred by the habit
into which all presidents have fallen
too easily Of making their messages
mere summaries Of information that
should be sought in department reports
Its dramatic interest is somewhat les
sened by the publication a few weeks
ago of the settlement of the Venezuelan
question and the preparations for a
general arbitration agreement, and by
the understanding that the Monroe
doctrine would be declared to extend
to Cuba, in as far as interference by
any power other than ourselves would
be concerne% These would have been
sensational features if they had ap-
peared first in such a state paper. Now.
they come as records of an achieve
ment which, though already past, will
make this administration the greatest
In our history as far as relates to the
conduct of our foreign affairs.
That portion Of the message which
will be read with greatest interest deals
with the Cuban question. 1t appears
that the United States government
made overtures to Spain some time
ago to secure for Cuba such degree of
local autonomy as would satisfy the de-
mands of her people without reouir-
Ing too great a sacrifice of dignity at
Madrid. 1t is limited that this offer.
while not then accepted, is coming to
be regarded with more favor; and there
is also mention Of the possibility Of a.
purchase by this country, in case Spain
should be found willing to sell. But
beyond this the administration has
found no way out Of its embarrass-
ments and is not able to indicate any
to congress. This rises from the fact
which Mr.. Cleveland makes palmer
than it has ever been made before. that
there exists no government in Cuba
today of any party or faction or ma
tionality. There is military rule in
the little area within the Spanish
camps. There is guerrilla rule in the
country occupied by the insurgents.
constantly on the move But the last
Vestige of civil authority has disap-
peared, and both contestants are now
occupied in laying waste every living
thing on the island. To this we be-
heve that an end should be put. There
are duties to humanity which rise
paramount even to those which we owe
TO the other nations of the world. We
recognize the immense difficulty of
dealing with this case and the caution
and wisdom of the administration: but
we believe that the time has come to
put an end to the bloody business 60
ing forward in Cuba and to prevent the
future desolation which the message if
self shows to be inevitable, by any
measures that may be necessary. God
save us from war, but God save us
first from dishonor is the right petition
for every nation.
We have no space to touch here unon
the portions of the message that deal
with the condition of the various
branches of the public service. the i'm
provements that have been made and
the recommendations that are laid be-
fore congress. They are more or less
familiar, and are almost wholly rou-
tine. When he reaches the questions of
revenue and currency, Mr.. Cleveland
again assumes the high patriotic tone
that marks the man. That congress is
sure to plunge us into a new tariff agi-
fRtion does not prevent him from point
ang out the superf1uity and the cruelty
OF such step. And that congress has
In the past refused to make a begin
ming Of currency reform and has had
alis suggestions before it for the last
-FOUR years, only emphasizes the earn
estness with which he makes this last
appeal. The greenbacks should be re-
Hired; either by. the issue Of bonds or
sby the more gradual process of refus-
ttng to reissue them when redeemed
The Sherman notes could well be re-
deemed in silver dollars in that event.
These financial changes would at least