The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-03-25
SENATE FORA FREE CUBA
Resolutions Passed According Bel|ig-
erent Rights to the Patriots.
WEYLER DENOUNCED ASADEMON

By Vote OF o. to . Measure ls Adopted
Declaring That We Should Accord to
the Cubaus Who Are Struggling for
Liberty the Rights of BelIiserents--.
Eloquent Speeches by Senators.
WARRINGTON, D. O., February 29.-By the
decisive vote OF 64 yeas to nays the Senate
adopted concurrent resolutions expressing
the opinion that a condition of public war
exists between Spain and Cuba; that the
United States should maintain neutrality be.
tween the contendinS Powers and request.
ing the President to use the good Offices Of
the United States in recommending to the
favorable consideration Of the Spanish Gov.
ernment the recognition of the independence
of Cuba.
Before tho Senate met the Foreign Rela-
lions Committee held meeting, and de-
cided, after some debate, that it would not
accept the resolution Of the House Commit
tee, but would cling to the one offered by
Senator Morgan, Of Alabama which is looked
upon as even stronger than any yer Serl-
ously considered adding to it the resolution
OF hir. Cameron fRep., PENN J, declaring tor
the independence OF the Cuban Republic. It
was also decided that the resolution should
remain concurrent one instead or being
changed to joint resolution. As agreed
upon the resolution reads as follows:
Resolved, by the Senate, the House Of Rep
resentatives concurrins, That, in the opinion
Of Congress, a condition of public war exists
between the Government of Spain and the
Government proclaimed and for some time
maintained by force of arms by the people
OF Cuba; and that the United States OF
America should maintain a strict neutrality
between the contending Powers. according to
each all 1.-The rights of beliigerents In the ports
and territory Of the United States.
Resolved, further, That the friendly offices
OF the Unided States should be offered by the
President to the Spanish Government for the
recognition Of the Independence Of Cuba.
Soon after the Sanate met, on motion OF
Mr.. Sherman, the business of the morning
hour was dispensed with, and the resolution
was taken up.
Mr.. Lindsay Dem.. Ky.) was the frs. to
address the Senate. He said that war WAS
being carried on of the very doors Of the
United States between tho people OF Cuoa
and the Spanish Government and it would
result either In the independence OF Cuba or
in the utter destruction OF her peo-
ple. Expressions OF sympathy would
avail nothing to the Cuban insurrectionists.
The United States had the right to demand
that Spain should give to Cuba some sort OF
respectable government, some sort OF pro-
lection, some sort OF liberty, that would
commend itself to the enlightened civliza-
ton of the age. Spain owed to Cuba as
much as Turkey owed TO Armenia, rs much
as the United States owed to Venezuela. II
Spain did not pay the obligations resting on
her. then the time had come for steps to be
initiated and they could be properly in
itlated only by the Government Of the
United States. Overtures should be male to
Spain for the sale OF the island to the Gu
bans, the United States to guarantee the
payment ofthe sum agreed upon.
did not disguise from himself the danger
and possibility Of hostile movements follow
ing the action Of Congress. Spain was o
sensitive, proud. and gallant Nation, and
would not submit to what she considered
An injustice. At the same time his convic-
tions were strong-made stronger every day
that the condition OF affairs in Cuba WAS
such that the Intervention Of the United
States must be given, sooner or later, to put
an and to crimes almost beyond description.
Resent to the Clerks desk and had read e1-
tracts from Spanish book, printed In u New
York newspaper, reciting horrible cruelties
charged against Weyler, some Of the Incl
dents being so bad that he di-
rected the Clerk to omit them. He
spoke Of these deeds as barbarous
atrocities and as inhuman cruelties, aud said
that Weyler was demon rather than
General. He denounced the idea of putting
such q man In command OF hundred
thousand troops to ride rough shod, kill
and slaughter feeble body OF people; and
he declared, In the most solemn terms, that
II this kind OF policy is pursued by Spain
in Cuna, and II the people OF the
United States be informed OF 1t, there is no
earthly power that will prevent the people Of
the United States from going over to that
island, running all ovsrits length and breadth,
and driving out from 1t those robbers and imi-
tators Of tho worst men that ever lived In the
world. Applause from crowdsin the gallery
"If." Mr.. Sherman continued. "Weyler
carries out bis projected plan, there is not
country in this hemisphere which will not
contribute to put aa end to this violence. 1t
has lasted long enough. That people ought
to be allowed, in their own way, to form their
own Government. to be as free as we are.
Whatever" Mr. Sherman concluded, "may
bs the result Of the adoption Of this meas
ure, desire to take my share Of the respon-
sibility for it. And, with confidence IN the
Judgment of the Almighty Ruler OF the uni
verse, believe it will be wise II we can as
sist, and il all the other Nations of America
will concur. in giving to the people of Cuba
the same liberties which we now enjoy"
GApplause.]
Mr.. Caffery Oem., La. } argued that Spain
rust be rsated as belonging TO the family OF
civilized Nations, and that there was not
scintilla OF evidence to show such a state OF
affairs rs would justify recognition either
OF Cuban bel!igerency or Independence. Con-
gresS had no power to make recognition Of
Cuban belliserency or independence, and.
IL 1t had the power, the facts did not justify
such recognition.
Other speeches favoring the Cubans were
made by Senators Gallinger, Lodge, Frye,
Allen, Hill, Gray, White, Vest, Pasco, and
Call
The vote was then taken, AMI the result
was the adoption Of the concurrent resolu-
ton by vote of 81 to 6, as follows:
Yeas-Messrs Allen, Alliso., Bacon, Baker,
Bate, Berry, Brown, Burrows, Butler, Call,
Cameron, Cannon, Carter, Chandler. Clark,
Cockrell, Culom, Daniel, Davis, Dubois.
Elkins. Faulkner, Frye, GalliDger, Gear.
Gibson. German, Gray, HawIey, Hill.
Irby, Jones (Ari) jones Nev. }
Kyle, Lindsay, Lodge, Mcbride,
Mcmillan, Mantle. Martin, Mills, Mitchell
{Ore.). Morgan, Nelson, Pasco, PETER. Per-
Iins, Pritchard, Proctor, Quay, Roach. Sher-
man, Shoup, Smith. Squire. Stewart. Teller,
Thurston, Turpic, Vest. Walthall, Warren,
White and Wilson-64.
Nays---Ipssrs. Caffery, Chiffon, George
Hale, Morrill, and Wetmore-6.
A MurIcrer's Awful Work.