The record-union., 1896-12-11
Senators Cullom of Illinois and Call OF
Florida.
The Former Delivers a Carefully Pre-
pared and Strong Speech in Behalf
of the Struggling Patriots to Free
the Island From the Rule of the
Spanish GOvernment-PrOceedingS
In the Lower House.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10.-The inde-
pendence of Cuba and the recognition Of
the insurgents as a regularly organized
Government had two advocates in the
Senate to-day in the persons Of Senators
Cullom (R.) of Illinois and Call CD of
Florida. Cullom delivered a carefully
prepared speech in support of his views,
while Call contented himself with brief
discussive statement.
The bill to restrict immigration was
ton by Gibson O) of Maryland to
postpone its consideration until the first
Monday in January having been de-
feated by a vote of 13 to 81. Various
amendments to the text of the bill were
offered or suggested, but no action was
taken on any of them although they
We're discussed couple of hours.
On motion of Aldrich (R) of Rhode
Island it was agreed that when the Sem
ate adjourn to-day it be until Monday.
A bill to authorize the Judges of the
United States District Courts to appoint
stenographers was introduced by Allen
Pop) of Nebraska, and was referred to
the Judiciary Committee.
A resolution was offered by Hermann
(R.) of Ohio, and was adopted, for the
appointment of three Senators to make
the necessary arrangements for the in
auguration of the President-elect on the
4th of March next.
At the close of the morning business
Cullom CR) of Illinois addressed the
Senate on the Cuban question. He pre-
faced his speech with the Introduction
of joint resolution declaring that THE
extinction of Spanish title and the ter
mination of Spanish control in the is
lands at the gateway of the Gulf of
Mexico are necessary to the welfare of
those islands and of the people of the
United States"
Cullom after a brief reference to the
Presidents message in regard to the
island of Cuba, said:
We are already placed III such post
ton that some certain course of ac-
ton must be adopted. Whatever
course it may be it must be such as
shall give proper recognition to the
rights. under the existing conditions.
belonging respectively to Spain and
rights and prerogatives of the world at
large-of the nations and the people
who stand aloof and watch with deep
est interest this struggle for independ-
ence and for liberty against absolu-
tism. And not the least of the respon-
sibilities imposed upon US as a nation
is the conservatism of our own rights
and interests. In fact, this latter is the
81 y,.;,, 20, rI,t1
our course.
While / am not disposed to criticise
President Cleveland, / may properly
say that l had hoped he would find oc-
casion to give more positive or en-
phatic expression of the true American
continental policy which ought to be
invoked in all cases where the liberty
and independence Of any of the peo-
pies of the American continent are in
volved. And. further / think we ought
never to hesitate or delay when the
lines Of this policy run parallel and
coincident with those of common hu-
manity.
There may be no warrant in inter-
national law for any interference be-
tween Government and its subjects,
provided that Government belongs to
the family OF nations, or is recognized
as one of the Powers of the earth
Still, does not the great heart of hu-
nanity beat in sympathy with the poor
souls apparently forgotten by the Mas
ter and left to bear the burdens of cruel
and relentless oppression? Is there no
way, no light. no hope? Must the bru-
tality of might alone define the offense
and mete out the penalty, with no hu-
man power to whom intercession may
be made?"
Having sketched the career of the
former Spanish American colonies, Mr.
Cullom went on: While all the prov
inces which have rebelled and separat-
ed from Spain have become prosperous
and fairly we'll conditioned, independent
countries. the feeble old mother coun-
try has gradually fallen into lower and
lower estate, depending and almost re-
living for existence upon the stolen gold
levied upon Cuba, Porto Rico and the
Philippine Islands. Spain continues to
be what she has always been-a robber
nation. I speak now of the nation, and
not of her people.
I'VE violated every precedent by the
declaration of our own independence on
July 1. 1116. We had no precedent. nor
did we even ask for advice as TO the
change in 1889 from a confederation TO
q union of States When we announced
the Monroe doctrine in 1S23 it was in
defiance of precedent, and was the de-
termination of a rule which has become
law, and will never be gainsaid.
When we announced not many months
ago that We should intervene in the
matter of the Venezuelan boundary
and see for ourselves II our rights were
to be concluded by foreign dictation.
We followed no precedent but that of
good American common sense. And
common sense has won.
We now have reached the time to
j. take another step in advance. We have
already proclaimed that the United
States will have something TO say re-
garding matters affecting the American
continent, and We should now announce
that the speedy termination of Spanish
control OF the islands at the gateway
of the Mexican Gulf is necessary alike
to the welfare of those islands and to
the people of the United States.
The present situation cannot con-