Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-04-10
Foa FREE CUBA.
Eloquent Speech Of Hon. Seth [. MilIiken.

The following is the full text Of the
eloquent speech Of Congressman Mil
| liien upon the report of the conference
committee in reference to Cuban bel
liserency. Mr.. Millikcn said:
AIR. Speaker: l had not hitherto ex-
pected to say word on this question.
although my convictions upon this sub
Ject have from the beginning been set
tied. 1T Is question upon which, for
tunately for myself differing in thls
respect from some others.) | have new
or had any doubt in my own mind
Sir, we approach these resolutions
tonight in somewhat different atti-
tude from what we would occupy IL
this were absolutely a new question or
If the question were whether we should
recognize the rebels in Cuba as bellig-
ercnts or should do nothing Now. sir,
the Senate has adopted, by large ma
1ority, resolutions In favor of recognize
ing the Cuban patriots az bellgerents.
When those resolutions came IN for
consideration i'm this House we passed
Il somewhat different and stronger
proposition. substantially. however.
of conference. and the question tonight
~ whether we shall adopt the resolu-
tons AS agreed on by that committee
or repudiate the action that has been
taken ana defeat the committees re-
port.
We are now 50 placed that Ne must
speak either for or against the patriots
IN Cuba We must give to the Cubans
struggling for independence our moral
influence, our encouragement our in
d"rselnent, or we must give counte-
nance ana encouragement to Spain in
her effort To- crush this struggling peo-
pie. In adopiirg these resolutions. a.
have no doubt we shall do next Mon
day, this great government. with all It's
influence. viii voice. az believe. almost
thu universal sentiment of our people
and indorse the efforts of 4 people bat
Ting for freedom on neighborina
island bravely striving To- throw of
the yoke Of perhaps as grinding ~
ranny az has cursed mankind in mod
orn times IT, on the contrary. we
should vote these resolutions down.
what would bc the effect Who
would be encouraged by our action
What kind az word should Ne send
forth - the world9 How would aui
action he looked upon hy the cubansc
How would II be- looked upon by tn,
Spaniards2 How would ID be looked |
upon by thc great nations Of the
earth
Why. gentlemen. this government
eyer since il has been established has |
been tito great fortress and home of |
freedom upon the face Of the globe I, |
has been the only great. well-organ- |
szed. well-cstahlished republic on the |
earth. Everywhere. in every country |
where men and women We're hoping |
and struggling and praying for free |
dom. for better government. for equal |
laws. fer independence from tyranny |
they have looked To this great republic |
as the mariner looks To the north star |
Tor guidance. This republic has been /
their hope and their encoura cement |
And. sir believe that II this republic |
IN It's struggle against the rebellion |
had been destroyed the loss of our in |
iluence in the earth would been calam- |
itous To mankind. If we had not main |
tanned the integrity of the @t-nion |
France would not be a republic today. |
Brazil would not have put off the pan |
"ply of monarchy and put on the habit |
iu'eu's "i democratic government.
'-"N'""u ahd Germany and the Other |
N"N't hi'eiitS OF the "ld world would |
'iot nav hceh Hhefanzed as much a. |
'heH h"Nc hecil- ne success ana tht |
"'iIEh influence 81 TINS great republic |
SaNF d" impetus 10 liberty and the |
tP""i ilN'l'S ~ IMAM such as they nave |
tc'e'Ne' i"ii 70 "thef great humaf |
az '.'eN t'''et''-
NV 'ie iuesti"h recufs. whether oul |
4i - ~ Siidh continue n the SAINT |
'ii'''l"h ~ Whirh " mas heretofore
N"il" ~ ~ "ht'htr W" shaii continu, /
y ~ t'i' ptacoh liSht LOT every people |
suuNNl'"S iH Tree government, tor in
=. i"'hHV"'e' l"l ihe liberty OF the in |
Wy aud' ana the masses, or whether |
W. S'"i 'ake backward course anc |
'"i"N tne ihii ueh'e "I inns great ma
''n III '"N"f VI oppression
MY E"tleaSuo 'Mr- h"oteIleD from
Mn"m dislike IL differ. talked ycster-
'1s "'""t inc sentiment al IN" people |
vi i",S country pelnE stirred up by pie
''i'a' representations IN the newspa
''' tn''Ih II ne eontd feel the
pu'Sh '"'uS "l IN" great heart of the
Ifniir ~ tnlS country ne would fine