The Portland daily press., 1896-04-15
OUR HANDS ARE TIED.
Government Can't Participate In
Diplomatic Disputes.
SENATOR SQUIRE SAYS WE ARE
EXPOSED TO NAvIES OF WORLD.

Address on Subject of National Defences-
Americans Would Not Be So Compla-
cent If They Knew Actual Condition of
Affairs-Coast Bill Passes the House
Little OF No Opposition In Debate,
Washington, April 14.-Senator Morrill,
OF Vermont, who has reached the ripe old
age of eighty six years, was In his seat in
the Senate chamber today as active and
alert as any time within the last ten or
fifteen years. Rev. Mr.. Milburn in his
invocation, made proper illusions to the
occasion, and the prayer was ordered to
be printed in the records.
In the course of the morning business
Mr.. Morrill,, who is chairman of the
committee on public buildings and
grounds, gave notice that he would on
Thursday next ask the Senate to hear
him for ten or fifteen minutes when he
hoped to satisfy the Senate that an
additional building for the National
Museum is necessity.
Mr.. Squires, of Washington, addressed
the Senate on the subject of the national
defences.
Mr.. Squires said, in part: "What alb
sprd spectacle has the Congress of the
present session, by its persistent talk in
favor OF Intervention by the United States
in behalf Of Cuba and Venezuela. How
cheap is all this talk, sincere though it
may be on many an occasion. Every man,
who has informed himself ON the subject
of national defenoes knows that as a ma
tion we are not in condition to under
take anything Of the sort, because it will
certainly bring the greatest loss and
humiliation.
"Our courage and mum bers would not
avail; it is folly to depend upon the le-
sources and inventions of the hour. We
can talk loud and long, profess sympathy,
pass resolutions, make believe to our
selves we are actually taking a hand in
the diplomatic affairs and international
questions of great moment. but those not
self-deceived by eRotistica1 glamour, and
who know the facts are perfectly aware
of the painful truth that all this demon
stration ia mere talk, bluster, vapid sem
timent or at most, sympathy that is
easily satisfied with merely verbal ex-
pressi0ns.
Not that the great body of the Ameri-
can people understand it SO. They are
not acquainted with the facts, as to our
absolute inability to maintain a high,
dignifed, honorable and intelligent stand
on great International arguments, in
case we should be pressed by the threat
of war. the last argument of kings.
.The people do not know how shame
fully their interests are being banded
and played with by those who represent
them in the halls of Congress. They
~, 10 Cd io{t 81 ~ -
that we are prepared to protect ourselves
in case of war with any Of the second or
third class powers, or even against first
rate power. They know that the nation
has millions of brave and patriotic msn
who would gather at the call to arms.
They do not know that there are no means
Of aPming these hosts upon any emer.
genoy that may rise.
They do not know that the great sea
coast Cities through which extends the
arteries OF trade and commerce, with
each other and with people of foreign
lands, populous though these cities may
be, aud teeming with wealth, are
exposed and defenseless against an attack
by foreign nnvies, with vessels far out
do not know that our commerce can be
SO easily ruined. They do not know our
navy itself, may be hopelessly crippled by
the destruction of our navy yards
depots of supplies, dock yards, powder
mills and arsenals.
"If the people understood these facts
as they exist they would say: Stop build
ing ships, as you do not mean to protect
our cities, dock yards and bases of sup
plies. 1t is folly to spend so much money
upon the navy. If they knew the hollow
ness of their talk the people would cry
out for shame at this travesty upon the
maintenance o. the Monroe doctrine and
Intervention for Cuban independence.
II have no patience with the discussion
that has been going on, so devoid of
practical benefit to any one. 1t has not
only operated to make us ridiculous in the
eyes of those we'll informed, but has
brought ruin and financial embarrass-
ment upon thousands of people. who have
lost millions of dollars in consequence of
this agitation In Congress.
"Nay more, 1t has held out false and
elusive hopes to people beyond the seas,
hope Of relief and assistance never to be
realized in the very nature of things. It
is keeping the word Of promise to the ear
to break it to hope, and thus bringing un-
told misery upon hundreds of thousands
who look to America for help in the time
Of their struggles with tyranny and
bloody wrong.
"Whether all this is merely politics I
know not. 1t seems to me exceedingly
wicked and useless. If we are in earnest
and mean what we say, let us show our
purpose by our deeds, by preparations OF
wise, prudent and ample character to
enable us to be consistent and to make
good our professions.
After reviewing the pulley of the