The herald., 1896-02-29


this country was SS2, 100000 annually.
and the trade from the United States to
Cuba was $4,000 900.
"But mark it,r said Mr.. Sherman; II do
not favor the annexation of Cuba to the
United States. In my judgment this island
should become part OF Mexico. being OF
tha same people, and | would be glad to
see that end accomplished"
Sherman said he would now turn his at
| tention to "the saddest phase of this whole
| subject" He referred to the recall of Gen.
| Campos, a humane soldier, and his sue.
cession by Gen. Weyler, who has been
| weIl christened "the butcher
The events of the last thirty days in
connection with this appointment has
| changed the senator's whole feeling, he
| said. ! r4
"Ths man Weyler." he continued, 'is
| one of the worst men who could be sent To
pacify people. His warfare is massacre.
He openly avows it. He is brute. pure
and simple. His hands are stained with
| the blood of defenseless men and women "
In support of this statement, Sherman
| had sent to hedesk and read extracts
which were most startling and sensational.
They recited atrocities of Weyler's former
| command in Cuba which sent q noticeable
| murmur of horror through the crowded
galleries. One of the statements was that
General Weyler had captured parents and
their several daughters, pretty seuoritas.
He had ordered the young girls stripped
+, naked and then compelled them to dance
thus naked before the Spanish troops,
while the parents were driven to the point
of insanity. But this was not all
| Here the senator was interrupted and it
was asked that the recital might not be
| continued.
| The senator went on to give extracts
| from recent interviews with General Wey-
Ter in which he spoke of exterminating the
| Cubans. These showed him to be, said
| Sherman, demon rather than gentle
man. Then the senator added: "If this
| continues no earthly power can prevent
the president of the United States from 60
/ ing to that island, sweeping over it from
end to end and driving out these barbar-
| ians.''
At this fervid sentence the galleries
broke into loud and long applause, while
| the cice-president gave warning that, un-
peated the galleries would be cleared.
Mr.. Sherman said every Christian heart,
! every American heart, revolted at this rule
| of oppression. We did not want any
Armenia at our doors. We should not
shield ourselves, like Great Britain. by say
| ing Armenia was too far away. Cuba was
right beside us. The rules of civilized So
ciety, the spirit of the age, demand that
Spain should be compelled to stop these
cruelties. Not only the United States. but
the countries of the world, would unite in
this demand. And if Spain failed TO heed
it, and Weyler carried out his projected
| plans, there was not a point on the Aneri-
can hemisphere which would not send it's
| president to put an end to the infamy.
II share in the responsibility of the
| course we must take" said Mr.. Sherman
in closing, "and confident in the justice of
this course. confident in the justice of the
Almighty Ruler of the universe, l feel we
| = Co. H,rHr tI,<a "a
| liberty we now enjoy"
| Sherman was again warmly applauded
/ as he closed, and GallinRer took the floor.
| He graphically pictured the wrongs which
! Spain inflicted on the Cubans, quoting
many newspaper articles, and declared
that Weyler was beginning to live up to his
| fame. In conclusion he said: "God speed
the day when Cuba shall be Free"
Lodge asked to have placed in the record
the outline of Weyler's forthcoming pro-
clamation sent by the correspondent of the
! Associated Press, and this alone would
justify any action the senate should take.
General Weyler's policy of shooting down
defenseless people was begun; said Lodge:
| There was people struggling against
wrongs beside which the grievances which
led the American colonies to rebel against
Great Britain were nothing. The insurgents
had gained the right of recognition by a
| year of warfare. If further stress should
become necessary they would be apparent
in time, but as for the step now contem.
templated he believed it was one which the
civilized world would applaud.
Frye of Maine said: II am heartsick
and tired to see day after day this splendic
republic of ours doing police duty for ths
most wicked nation on the face of the
earth.''
of Bermuda, Mr.. Frye, continuing, said hs
had been mortified and bumiliated by il
beyond measure. Although recognizing
the supremacy of law he would have been
delighted if Almighty God, without loss OF
human life. could have sent a cataclysI
of nature to send skyward the seizing yes.
sci and speed the other Cubaward.
In closing ne said he would vote for any.
| thing that would aid the cause of the pa
triots who were so successfully struggling to
wrest liberty from the grasp OF a relentless
despotism.
Senator Gallery of Louisiana took an op.
posing view of the question. He declared
Spain must be treated as belonging to the
family of civilized nations and said all
rules of international law should prevail ir
the dealings of this nation with the rebel
lion. Attacks upon the past conduct oil
| Spain we're out of place in this discussion
Spain was not singular in her record fol
| ferocity. While her treatment of the In
dans of South America might have differed
in degree from the treatment given thii
race by all civilized nations, it did no
| differ in kind. What had we, asked the
| senator, to warrant a declaration oi
belligereucy, much less of independence!
There was not scintilia of actual evidence
warranting this action.
The senator said he did not favor any
course contemplating the taking up oi
arms against Spain in favor of Cuba. II
we interfered in the affairs of Cuba, sale
he, we do so with the implied threat tha
we will protect Cuba. Against the power,
of the United States, Spanish chivalry ant
valor would not last half campaign
| Weak as Spain is, she would resent an un
warranted interference. Lest we incur tn,
reputation of bullying weaker nation, tn,
United States should move with caution
Mr.. Gallery opposed the resolutions be
cause congress had no power, and the fact
did not warrant action if we had the power
Mr.. Allen of Nebraska read an argu
ment as to the legal right of congress II
recognize independence. The senate
spoke at great length. referring to Spail
as an ''outlawed nation and Weyler as
"bloody butcher while the crowde,
chamber was evidently desirous of Pre-
ceeding to a vote. Allen said he would no
on.y recognize Cuba, but he would estat
lish her as one of the nations of the earth
and for that purpose would summon ou
armies and fleets to Cuba's aid.
Let war come; it should not check us il
our duty.
At this point numerous amendments
some verbal, were offered. One, by Cal
of Florida, proposed proclamation by tn
United States recognizing the independents
of Cuba.