The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-03-31
GRANITE STATE.
An Enthusiastic Republi-
can Convention.
Senator Chambers Remarka-
bly, Stirring Speech.
Delegates Chosen Who Will Support
Reed in the Convention.

CONCORD, n. H, March 3f.-The Re-
publican party of New Hampshire has
taken complete possession of this city,
and no convntion for long time has wit
messed the presence of SO many leaders.
campaign, and candidates for Governor
and for Gallinger's seat in the Senate are
getting in some telling work.
The convention to elect delegates at large
to st. Louis was held at Phenix Hall,
which was crowded to the doors with en-
thusiaastic Republicans. The Presiden-
tial situation was the theme of discussion
last night, and this morning and the fact
that Mckinley has many supporters in
the convention was manifest from the
first. Reed sentiment was much the
stronger, however, and campaign buttons
bearing the portrait of the speaker were
seen on all sides.
Ii was generally believed that the con-
vention would be a harmonious gather
ing, without a contest in the election OF
delegates, and with no attempt TO in
struct them in the interests OF any candi-
date.
Ii was some time after IL o'clock when
Chairman Jewett OF the state committee
called the convention to order in Phenix
Hall, which was crowded to the doors.
But one ticket for delegates at large was
presented, and that bore the names Of
Hon. Stephen s Jewett of Iaconia, Gen.
eral Frank s. Streeter of Concord, N. H.,
Hon. Charles L. Means of Manchester
and Colonel James A. Wood of Acworth.
The chairman read the list OF officers of
the convention decided upon at Monday
nights meeting, and the same were
elected by acclamation and took seats on
the floor at the right OF the speakers
stand. Colonel Jewett then introduced as
chairman of the convention Senator
William Il. Chandler OF Concord, who
was greeted with enthusiastic and long
continued applause.
Senator Chandler made a stirring
speech, which he concluded as follows:
TWO present dnties are before us In TINS rels
ton. Venezuela is in a contest with England
in which we are bound to befriend the re.
public. This Is question whether or not,
with no decent color of right, the mouth Of the
great Crinoco river--the key to all the COM
merce Of venezuea-shall be seized and con-
trolled by the all-grasping. English speaking
nation OF the Eastern hemisphere. Here is an
opportunity which may not come again in half
century.
BY q regard for the Monroe doctrine, which
Is traditional principle OF the American gov
ernment, by consideration. not so very re-
mote. Of what is due to our own safety and
peace, and above ALL by our just and reason
to espouse the proper cause OF the little repub-
lie against the overgrown nation which threat
ems her. and to bind that republic, and all the
other South American republics, to ourselves
by ties Of indissoluble obligation and graft
tude.
Again. as to Cuba what Is our duty? We
have waited 81 years for our opportunity
properly and safely TO aid in establishing
Cuban Independence. There lies the great ISL
and almost within sight OF our coasts, in the
hands Of European power, a perpetual
menace to the United,States. IL has been for
threequarters Of a century almost a universal
American sentiment that whenever the right
time came, we should see Cuba released from
the cruel dominion OF Spain. In 1873 Cuban
Independence would have been recognized had
Il not been for the tendency of our Alabama
claims against England. which made General
Grant and Secretary Fish act with conserv.
atsni.
Eighteen years more OF misrule and oppres-
sion have brought on another insurrection.
The whole island Is in revolt almost as one
man and Spain is resorting to atrocities for
hidden by civilized warfare. We are not asked
to do what would gladly see done-to recog-
nize and maintain the Independence of Cuba
we are only asked TO recognize Cuban belliger-
epcy, which after year Of fragrant war, we
are more entitled 10 do than Spain was to
recognize the southern Confederacy early in
1861.
Upon that recognition by the United States
all the other independent republics of Central
and South America will also recognize bel.
ligerency, and the freedom OF Cuba will be
sured beyond the possibility of suppression.
Now is the time and now the hour for action.
The opportunity long waited for may not soon
come again.
But IL will be said TO me and TO others who
feel like myself ON this subject, that we are
not acting coolly and with tho restraint re-
quired by enlightened selfinterest; that we
are governed by sentiment merely, and sen.
timent to which we ought not to give way.
Yet 1 admit that I'm the case Of Cuba we are
not acting from a regard for self.interest only,
but In accordance with the impulses OF strong
sentiment. Thank God, we are a nation OF
sentiment
What is all we sec about Us OF riches and
grandeur, in this country, worth 20 us or to
our children N we are TO live as nation
wholly according to the principles OF selfish
ness, and are 10 turn deaf ear to the Mace
donan cry, come over and help u.s." from the
little republic OF Venezuela, and pay no heed
10 che means and groans OF dying Cuban pa
triots?
What are the memories worth of the New
Hampshire men OF the Revolution and OF the
brave spirits that went out from Us and gave
their lives on the battlefield I'm the great pro-
slavery rebellion II they do not teach MS now
that we are the wealthiest and one OF the most
powerful nations on the globe, 20 be guided in
our conduct at home and in our policies
abroad, not merely by self interest, but as well
by the highest and the holiest sentiments of
which the human heart IL capable, sympathy
for the weak and the down-trodden and affec.
ton for the slaves and victims OF oppression
and wrong everywhere on tho face OF the
globe, but especially when they cry to us from
the near islands OF our own seas and from the
feeble reprh i"a of IN western world.