The Van Buren press., 1896-01-04
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, D. C., Dec. 30, s5.

Ihe message OF the President In
regard to the Venezuelan controversy
w'iti; Great Britain came unexpected
and took every one by storm and both
branches of Congress have voted the
President unlimited confidence. Every
obstacle in his path has been swept
away and he now has carte blanche to
fully develop the American Monroe
doctrine so long lying dormant. The
following bill after passing the House
was unanimously adopted in the Senate
after free and full discussion:
That the sum of 800 600 or so
much thereof as may be necessary, be,
and the same is hereby appropriated, i,
fer the expenses of commission, to
consist of three members to be appointed
by the President to investigate and
report to him the facts in regard to the
divisional line between the republic of
Venezuela and British Guiana
1t is learned at the State Department
that ffur suIIie months consultations nave
been going on among several of the
South American republics for joint
expression on the Monroe doctrine as a
principle of international law which
will undoubtedly be of sufficient
emphasis to satisfy the Marquis of
Salisbury, 1t is not known here Just
when this expression will be made nor
what form 1t will take. 1t has even
been proposed to call another conference
of American nations similar to that held
in Washington in 1889, except that
there would be only one topic of
discussion, and that the propriety of a
united opposition to the occupation of
the American continent by European
powers.
One of the most eloquent and signifi
cant prayers in the history of Congress
ional procedure was delivered by the
Milburn, of the M. K. Church, at the
opening of the Senate proceedings on
the 22d ult. With the Venezuelan
resolution pending and the debate about
to be renewed, the direct references to
the horrors of war and the invocation
against the shedding of blood between
the two great English speaking people,
were followed with breathless attention
by the crowded galleries and with
noticeable attention and respect by the
Senators. At the close of the prayer
on motion, the Senate directed that the
invocation be spread at length ON the
Record-an unusual mark of respect.
"Forbid, invoked the chaplain, in
impressive tones, THAT the two fore
most nations of the world which bear
the name of Christians-with one
language, one. faith. one baptism, one
Lord-shall be embroiled in war, with
all its horrors and barbarisms. Grant,
|xrye hacnanh OF ha
from imbruing our hands in each
other S blood Let the spirit of justice
and magnanimity prevail among the
rulers of both nations and among the
people, the kindred people of the two
lands, so that all differences and
difficulties may be amicably and salts
factorily settled, and the Lord name
may be glorifed by the establishment
Of concord, amity, and brotherly kind
ness. May this become an august and
memorable Christmas in the history of
the English speaking world and of the
whole earth. Let health, prosperity
brotherly kindness, and charity pervade
all our lands and our motherland. And
may God be glorifed and the reign of
Jesus Christ, our Saviour be estab-
lished, we humbly pray Thee in His
sacred name. Amen.
After the prayer the chaplain moved
to the arena in the rear of the chamber,
where he received the congratulations
and thanks of many Senators.
The first test vote for silver was taken
in the Senate ON the Goth ult. and
resulted, as had been invariably
predicted, in an overwhelming victory
for the silver men. Senator Allen, of
Nebraska, the Populist leader, had
presented resolution declaring for the
free coinage of gold and silver to meet
the need for money in the possible
contingency of war. Mr. Allen
prefaced the vote on his resolution with
brief speech urging as measure of
financial safety that the free coinage of
gold and silver, on equal terms, be
considered by the Finance Committee.
The resolution was passed by vote of
36 to "a, which is as follows:
THAT the Committee on Finance be,
and they are hereby directed and in
structed to inquire and report, by bill
or otherwise, whether it would not be
expedient and proper for the govern
ment of the United States of America
at this time to open its mints to the free
and unlimited coinage of gold and silver
at the ratio of IS to 1 and in addition
thereto issue an adequate volume of full
legal tender Treasury notes in the same
manner such notes have heretofore been
issued, and in the interest of national
safety withdraw the issue power of
national banks and retire all bank
currency.
WHAT THE FOREIGN PRESS SAY OF THE