The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-02-28
ALL FOR CUBA'S SAKE
MIR. VEST FLOODS THE SENATE
CHAMBER WITH ELOQUENCE.
An Ardent speech I'm Favor Of This
Country's Recognition of the Pa
triots as BeIligerents.
SPAIN A TOOTHLESS WOLF
HE SAYS, WHOSE CRUEL TYRANNY
HAS LOST HER ALL But ONE CUB.
MissOuris Orator Also Apotheosizes
Liberty and Predicts Cubanx VIII
Never A bin he Subjects.
NV VNIUENgNNym INr yuuUys UUnu-ctu,
EXCITEMENT In THE HOUSE
MIR. HITS BELLIGERENCY RESO-
LUTIONs CAUSE ENTHUSIASM.
Mr.. BOutelle Delays Their Passage
vOlve Us I'm War with Spain.


by Mr.. Vest In behalf of Cuba was the event
Of to-day in the Senate. 1t came unexpect-
edly, as Mr.. Vest seldom announces his
speeches makes preparations. The Senate
had agreed that the final vote on the Cuban
resolution would be taken at A o'clock
morrow afternoon, and the debate was pro-
ceeding Mr.. White. of California. and Mr..
Gray. OF Delaware, contending a legal
proposition that the United States could not
at this time recognize Cubas independence.
This aroused Mr.. Vest. first for questions of
'remonstranccs and then to one OF the bursts
of feIoauenee With which he at times eectri-
hes the Senate. He spoke OF Spain as the
foothless old wolf. who had lost one by one,
all her litter and was still cinglng TO this
single remaining cub. He pictured Spain
the impotent Giant Despair In the Pilgrims
Progress. gazing on defeat. In impassioned
words he made an apotheosis to liberty Of
rare beauty and fervor. adding, with ringing
emphasis. that the Cuban patriots would
never. never. never again become the unwill
Ing subjects OF spain. Al the close OF the
speech Mr. Gray, OF Delaware who opposed
Mr. Vest said that if eloquence could achieve
the freedom OF Cuba. then the burning words
OF the Missouri Senator would set her free.
The debate will be closed by MIR. Sherman
tomorrow. IL Is considered certain that
favorable action will be taken on of the
several resolutions. the only doubt being
whether II shall relate TO independence
belligerency, and as TO the extent of II.
When the Cuban resolution was taken up
AIr. Morgan asked unanimous consent that
final vote on the resolutions aud all amend
ments be taken at o'clock tomorrow. This
led TO considerable discussion, but the agree
ment was finally reached for vote at that
hour. Mr.. Sherman stated that he would
speak tomorrow, and Mr.. Morgan readily
assented that Mr.. Sherman, as chairman OF
the committee on foreign relations, should
close the debate.
nIr. White thereupon resumed his speech
on the Cuban resolutions. The Senator laid
down the principles that the United States
could not recognize the independence of an
insurgent government until the vital disturb
ance Is closed and actual independence Is an
accomplished fact.
SPANS CONDITION DESPERATE
Mr.. Vest disagreed with this proposition
Was 1t not for Congress TO determine the
question of fact as to whether the uprising
had not gone so far that Spain was power
less to suppress It? Is not. asked Mr.. Vest,
the condition of Spain to-day desperate?
Mr.. White answered that this was open TO
doubt. He sincerely hoped the Cubans would
win their cause. but. with Spanish power en-
circling the island, with Spain holding every
port in Cuba. with the insurgents unrecog-
nzei anywhere abroad, he could not con-
clude that independence had been accom-
plished.
Mr.. Vest pointed out, however that the
Cubans, without ships, without arms except
those manufactured by themselves, main
tained a rebellion for ten years IL this has
been the case, why cannot the insurgents
again maintain warfare until Spain was
forced to yield. Mr.. Vest added: IF this
proposed action is mere sympathy. let us
drop this question. for mere sympathy is a
miserable farce from beginning TO end"
Mr.. White closed with the statement that
while he hoped TO Cuba free. yet the
United States could not now declare that
Cuba was free and independent without be-
lying established facts.
At this point Mr.. Vest came forward with O
characteristic speech. His words came with
such fire and with such beauty of diction
that the Senate chamber was quickly crowd
ed 10 hear him. Where would the United
States be to-day. asked AIR. Vest. if the pol
Icy urged by the California Senator had been
followed? Instead of assembling here as a
Congress, this would be another British col
France recognized the independence of the
United States and sent her armies and fleets.
and placed on us debt of undying graft
tude. In ringing tones Mr.. Vest declared
that IL We. as the great republic OF the world,
proposed 10 stand by these people i'm their
struggle akin TO our own, then We must help
them in their time of need. And IL this aid
was not given by sending our fleets and our
armies-for no one expected that--then. at
least. 1t should be by stating 10 the world
| what the Senator believed before God
| to be true-that Spain could never again es-
| tablish her dominion over that island.
| SHE WOLF WITH A SINGLE CUB.
| Mr. Vest drew vivid picture of Spain's
bloody rule over the old Spanish-American
dependencies. 'Of all those vast dominions
| won by blood he added "won through tor
ture and fire. there remains to-day, to this
| toothless old wolf. the simple island of Gu
ba. And Spain to-day. like the Giant De-
| spa:r in that wonderful picture of Bunyan
| almost helpless. sits at the door of the DARK
| cave of despotism and grins with impatient
| rage at the procession of splendid republics
| that march on in the progress towards civ
| ilization and liberty. That wolf can never
| retain that single cub. Never can Spain
hold the island Of Cuba after she has been
| unable to hold one foot of soil south of US
in all the wide area OF the southern halt
/ OF this continent.
| Mr.. Gray interrupted to ask If, as a mat
| ter of existing fact, Cuba had now estab-
| lished a condition of existence
| With another burst of eloquence Mr.. Vest
| responded that IL was not for US TO deter
| mine that the Cdbans had completely estab-
| lished themselves. The question for US tc
! determine was. can Spain re-establish hei
power and dominion over Cuba? The Gu
| bans demonstrated to-day that they had
the power to resist Spain. year ago their
| uprising was mere emeute- Now every
homes and families for the cause of free.
dom. Spain may cxterminate them. But
said Mr.. Vest. with impassioned tones
Spain will lever, never. never again make
| them the unwilling subjects of her power
| The Senator SPOKE with contempt of the
| statements trat the Cubans were negroe.
| and mula.'oes. So much the more should
| they have our sympathy, said ne. .-Liber
| ty." he added. lives with the poor and op
pressed. not with the wealthy and powerful
1t throbs In the breast of the Gagged bird
and has gone with martyrs to the stake