The Indianapolis journal., 1896-05-17
PLEA FOR PATRIOTS
ANOTHER SPEECH by SENATOR NOR
GAN on THE CUBAN QUESTION.
He Urges Decisive Action Towards the
Recognition of the Warning In
surgents as Belligcrents.

WASHINGTON, May 16.-The Cuban ques-
ton was revived in the Senate to-day, when
Mr.. Morgan, of Alabama, who reported the
original resolutions, spoke in favor OF fur
ther and more decisive action towards the
recognition Of the Cubans as beligerents.
The Senator declared 1t to be the duty of
Congress to adopt resolutions on beiliger-
ency. which, unlike the previous concur
rent resolutions. would require the approval
of the President and thus fix the response
bility. AT the close of Mr.. Morgans speech
the Senate adopted, without division. the
resolutions introduced by him. directing the
committee on foreign relations TO inquire
into and report on the treaty relations be-
tween the United States and Spain. as af-
fecting the Americans now under condem-
nation at Havana, and also requesting
the President for the recent diplomatic cor
respondence with Spain on this subject
The resolutions have no reference to the
recognition of bellingerency. although they
served Mr.. Morgan as a text for his speech
on that line? Eulogies were delivered on
the late w. H. Grain, of Texas. after which
as further mark of respect to the de-
ceased the Senate adjourned.
Mr.. Morgan, in has speech, said the prox-
unity Of the island to our shores, our COM
mercial relations with the Cubans. the Amer
lean ownership of much property there, the
actual residence of many Americans there,
etc.. all combine to compel US to examine
into the conditions existing in CUBA and to
determine for ourselves whether state of
war or a state of peace existed. He spoke Of
the impatience of American people in wit
Messing the painful occurrences in Cuba while
our government measured the losses by dol
lars and submitted claims for compensation
for individual losses A great civil conflict
mad Waged in Cuba since the fall Of 1894. he
said, and had increased with startling mag
nitude until 100000 Spanish troops were In
the held. Yet on a denial Of these self-evi-
dent facts rests the position of Spain, that
the United States must not recognize a con-
dltion OF war as existing. Mr.. Morgan said
the ha3rant conditions existing might escape
the attention of those in authority, yet IL
must shock the world that diplomatic fall
lacy permits the assertion that no war ex-
ISIS. The diplomatic fallacy is sustained by
when the wise generalship Of the Cubans
Kept them from concentrating in forts. 1t
was sustained. also. by the claim that the
CuDans had no fleet and no seaports, when IL
was evident that these could only be main
tanned by heavy artillery and equipments not
possessed by the insurgents. These, said the
senator, were the assertions OF carpet
bic military leaders, gaining independence
rather than display Of sentiment, they
The Senator declared that the offenses
committed by those Americans now held at
Havana were no more serious than SNUG
Cling. 1t was the first duty of this gov
ernment to demand that the military trial
OF the American prisoners be set aside.
Until this was done no other or further
set aside, declared Mr.. Morgan, every day
is day OF national humiliation TO us as
people.
After reviewing the course Of the United
STATES in the struggles for free institu-
tons, the Senator compared it with the
search for technical and frivolous ex-
such ryrants as Weyler." He referred 10
the conclusive evidences of atrocities and
the shooting of noncombatants. With war
recognized as existing, the laws of war as
applied by the law of nations would be-
come applicable to our citizens now serving
In Cuba and would forbid Spain from treat
ing them as insurrecttOnists.
Mr.. Morgan said, in conclusion: ut Is
therefore the proper course for Congress to
observe to, send a joint resolution to the
President declaring that a state of public
war exists in Cuba and that the parties en-
gagged in that war are all belligerents, to
each of whom the laws OF nations equally
apply IL such is the opinion of Congress
This is duty of wise and sincere patriot
ism, although it may not be otherwise i'm
perative, for the reason that such declara-
ton is not legislative act and is not there
fore required to be sent TO the President
for his approval. Congress can waive that
question and should not O., raise I II in "a matter
Of the constitutional distribution Of the pow
ers of our own government whether IL is In
a state of war or peace. but only concerns a
duty We owe to our own people In determin-
ing for ourselves whether state of war or a
condition Of peace exists in Cuba. If the
President, acting on the assumption that a
declaration of the existence OF war in Cuba
and recognition of the rights of the parties
engaged in that war as belligerents
falls within his exclusive constitutional
power in conducting diplomatic inter-
course with foreign governments, should
choose TO ignore the existence OF such
a war, Congress- after the almost unani-
nous expression of opinion on tnat subject,
owes it TO the honor Of that body 10 de-
volve the responsibility on the President.
Under existing circumstances some depart
ment of the government must become re-
sponstO.e to our own people and to the
judgment Of mankind for continuing to per-
init the fa.sehood to remain unrebuked that
peace prevails in Cuba and that war does
the President that denies facts and repu-
dates the appeal TO the sentiments of our
people and the honorable duty of our gov
ernment, there will be a great account to
render in the end for the blood that pa
trots are shedding every hour in the cause
of human liberty that a word from Congress
or the President would STOP.
The resolution was adopted after being
changed so as TO request the President. in
stead of the Secretary of State, for copies
OF the correspondence regarding the protocol
and its bearings upon the trial and con-
demnation of United States citizens captured
in near Cuba. Then, after the Grain
eulogy the Senate adjourned.