Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-11

nent. and we should now announce that
the speedy termination OF Spanish control
OF the Islands at the gateway of the Mexi-
can Gulf is necessary alike TO the welfare
OF those islands and to the people of the
United States.
THE WAR MUST STOP.
THE present situation cannot continue.
This war OF determination must stop.
The question to be determined is not
fully clear. except that the war must
cease
Whatever may be said regarding our
duty as nation toward friendly power
which Is striving to suppress an insur-
rection In Cuba. still no one, either In
America or Europe misunderstands the
situation. Every humane heart. Ameri-
can or foreign, sympathizes deeply and
sincerely, not with the rapine and pillase
by which the insurgents in Cuba seek 10
weaken their enemies, but with the spirit
which leads them TO look constantly and
with hope towards the star OF liberty,
which they believe will lead them to
Cuba Libre.'
Il repeat, that Cuba is already lost to
Spain.
Geographically considered. Cuba can
not belong to Spain a line drawn from
the South Florida headlapis to the mouth
Of the 'Orinoco places Cuba on the Amerl-
can side The great Antillean sea, when
surrounds Cuba and other Islands, is but
an extension of the Mexican gulf, and
geographically. Cuba belongs. as polit-
cally il ought TO belong to the American
continent OF republics. and not to Spain or
Europe Geographically cuba is in Ameri-
can waters. and politically it is entitled
10 statehood in the continent of American
republics.
This great continental question, there
fore. when stripped OF all its compilca-
tons becomes. in plain ana simple ian
guage: Shall Cuba be Free?
II believe it to be the duty Of the uhiteu
States to use the great power attaching
to the nation to declare and 10 malhtalh'
as a prerogative of right. belonging gene
rally to republicanism. and specifically TO
this republic. that no charnel-house OF
ruin shall be continued In the West IN
dian waters. where waves break at our
very frcnt gate any longer than the time
IN shall require to break 1t up. Ana il
the duty Of suppressing this damning piot
and erasing II forever from sight sAali
fan alone upon the United states, so pe
It,
"But. we shall not stand alone in the
warfare which may follow in beha1 OF
common humanity. Nation after natloh
VIII make lOlll tduSt Win hN ~ ''Nf+ -
struggle. and when we have succeeded.
and shall have made into law the princi-
ple. and made into history the fact. every
other country worth naming will regret
its mistake i'm not participating IN the
humane work.
"The effort cannot fail. We shall not
wage any warfare for the acquisition
OF territory for ourselves. We shall not
claim Cuba as a reward for saving her
mol hN .
that fair island turned again 10 the
mercies Of wild beasts and vutures OF
war. whose only stimulus is gain. Cupa
Iibre-free Cuba-is the reward, and What
a glorious reward will that be!
Every citizen Of the United States VIII
feel that his birthright as an American
freeman will mean something. Every
lover of liberty the world over VIII exuit
I'm the progress and advancement OF man.
The breadth and stature of indiyiduai
Americanism will be enlarged and en-
nObled.
PURCHASE OF CUBA.
oIf other means fail. we may consider
the propriety of a fair purchase of Cuba
That method has had its share OF con-
sideration under previous Administrations.
II is not that we want the territory
but we mean that the trouble snail nave
a iuet settlement and conclusion. Let
the end come and come quickly. Let the
bloodshed cease. and let freedom ana
humanity be glorihed.
"The wisdom and discretion of the ad-
rninistratiOn can certainly ma "a wa
10 determine the trouble without imperil-
ING the interests of our country or our
neople | have little choice or preference
as 10 the particular method, but l do
want and | know the public expects.
settlement on a humane and Just basis.
"Tbe United States can do no less than
initiate this effort for humanity ana
liberty"
House of Representatives.
The House to-day indulged in its first
poNtical discussion, and the verbal CON
test was sarcastic and humorous in It's
nature. Ii was provoked by the con-
sideration of a bill amending the law pro-
bibiting the alien ownership OF lahos III
the Territories, so as 10 permit anehs 10
acGuire possession under foreclosure u
mortgage. and hold the land Tor zen
years. within which period they must dis
pose of IL. -,
,rr Hepburn Republican,, OF Iowa,
aslced bv what right delegates from the
Territories sought TO change law now
In accordance with the platform the III
bobitants had approved by their votes at
,be last election. A breezy discussion
ensued in which the ethics Of Popuiisih
U.ore considered. taking a wide range
ond aaording considerable amusement 10
tho members. The Territorial delegates
urge the passage of the bill as matter
~ iustice to their people, who were no"
denriyed Of the benefits or the lhNeS'-
,nent of foreign capital, but the house
co IN 79-refused to pass the Dill 10
third reading.
AGAINST "COLD TEA"
Under the call of committees. bills were
raeeea nrohibiting the sale of liquor IN
the Capitol building-lOi to land pro-
tecting the rights Of dramatic authors
md musical composers in their produc-
tions. ,,. - ,,,--
T,be bi1l TO define the rights OF pur-
cbasers Of the Atlantic ana racine ran
road. under foreclosure OF the mor'edse'
authorized by act Of April 20 lSn. was
Ia over until Monday next, after havins
IN amended so as to forbid the issus
of carital stock by the new corporation,
axoont for full value at par on account oi
money paid in. or labor or material tur-
niebcd and until approved by the SecTe-
tary Of the Interior. -. 49,.
Hon. c. j. Boatner. elected from the
riftb District Of Louisiana. to NIL the
vacancy occasioned by the action OF the
tIo,,se ot its last session, declaring MS
90, vacant. appeared. and took the oath
Of Office. ., ,,,.u To
Al 41O the House adjourned until 10
morrow for lack Of quorum.