The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-12-22

a great mistake In not accepting the
suggestions of General Grant in rela-
ton to the annexation of San Domingo
This would have given US fortified
harbor in those seas. that in the future
we viii greatly need.
II believe also that we should annex
Hawaii. and I hope that the first act of
President Mckinley viii be to take steps
in that direction. The control of these
islands by the United States would
make us absolute masters OF the Pa
cihc ocean, and would afford us a safe
harbor and coaling station in those
seas in easy reach of the mouth of the
isthmus canal I do not know that the
Independence of Cuba would lead to
annexation to the United States L am
in doubt as to whether / should be in
favor of annexation. butt. as a free and
Independent state under the protection
Of the nited States. lit would always
be TO our navy a safe retreat, and
would give to us a commanding posi-
ton at the mouth of the gulf Of Mexico.
and within reach of the isthmus canal
Ny judgment is that within so years
and perhaps great deal sooner. this
canal Will De completed, and when it is
the United States Will of necessity be
c0mpelledto acquire, peaceably or 9th
erwise. commanding position in these
islands
as an independent nation should lead
to grave consequences, and even to
war i'm my Judgment we would only be
doing now what necessity would COM
pei us to 40 later on.
"Hut laying aside an of these consid-
eratiOns.Which are speculative and sell
fish, III seems to me that the United
States should not stand by and see the
people Of Cuba eNterminated, and that
we should recognize them at once and
afford them such rights as are usually
accorded to belligerents
with this statement of my position
in regard To the matter. I Will close nv
remarks. and call upon the next speak
er on the programme"
a
Leedy said that Governor Morrill, who
was next on the programme was de-
tanned i'm Hiawatha by the death of
his partner and could not be present
He then introduced ex-Chief Justice A
II Horton
Judge Horton spoke with more than
usual fire in his manner and he was fire.
quently Interrupted by applause
III ann gratified" said he ito see
the distinguished gentleman who has
recently been elected governor Of this
great commonwealth here to preside
over this meeting and to encourage
with his presence the cause of the pat
riots Of Cuba who are lighting to be
freed from the brutality of Spain
The speaker alluded to the assistance
given to the United States by the
French nation in the battle for indie
pendence and said that the United
states had as much reason for going to
the assistance of Cuba
Why should not America hold meet
ings like this to express our sympathy
Tor the people Of Cuba in their hour
of distress. We should demand thar
President Cleveland recognize the indie
pendence Of Cuba (applause) Such
action would mean the freedom Of Cuba
and the defeat forever Of Spanish bru-
tally and misrule on that island
The United States could free cuba in
a week. President Cleveland could do
it, but if ne refuses we can appeal to
congress Let the resolutions go to our
congressman and senators from this
meeting to stand up for Cuba. An
other star may then be added to the
republics of the world and Cuba viii
Capt p IT. Coney. who was the next
speaker, said startling things and plac-
ed the blame for the position of this
government upon President Cleveland
Who- he said lis playing the role of
bacchaualian nimrOd" At another time
he alluded to President Cleveland as
British spawn fOisted upon America
through British influence who sits in
his bacchanalian carousals and refuses
to do any thing to relieve the struggling
people OF Cuba 1T is with modification
ana dlsdain that 4 mention his name
before such an intelligent audience as
this and a apologize for doing So He
is as Indifferent now as he was during
the internicine strife from 1851 to 1865
when he took the position that he would
ather sacrifice his relatives and neigh
bors than to have his own peace of
mind disturbed for single moment
Maj j. K Hudson was the next
ing shame for this nation to sit idly
by while the patriots of Cuba are being
murdered. 1T is the province of this
nation" said he Ito stand between The
cppressor and the oppressed. They
say that we have not ships enough:
then We viii build more: they say We
nave no armies when there are 600 900
patriots waiting for an oppOrtunitv to
mafcn 70 the assistance Of Cuba p
Capt j. @. Waters was the next
speaker lie spoke lin his usual fiOWery
lmpassloned style, and his speech en-
tire is given in a sub article following
Ex-senator John Martin was the next
speaker. and he talked in favor of the
recognition of Cuba by the government
OF the nited States.
DIT H. w. Roby read the following re-
solutions, headed by verse Of his own
composition. which were adopted with
out dissenting voice:
A sister republic stands knocking
without.
Go bid her to liberty's feast.
A star that has risen to shine in the
SHAH never turn back to the East.
Whereas, on this Dist day of Deem
Der, lSS, then was introduced into the
senate of the United States, by the com
mittee on foreign relations, the follow
ing joint resolution.
Resolved. BY the senate and house
ot representatives Of the United States
of America i'm congress assembled that
the Independence of the republic If
cuba be and the same in hereby ac-
knowledged BY the United States of
America. BE it further
Resolved. That the United States
viii use its friendly Offices with the
government of Spain to bring to
close the war between Spain and the
republic of Cuba Now, therefore be it
fNeSYlNeu- Ky the people of Topeka.
haIl-- IN general and mass meeting as
sem pled. that We heartily endorse the
sentiment expressed in the above reso-
iutlons and urge our Kansas senators
ana congressman to use their utmost
lawful endeavors to secure the passage
- said resolution by the United States
congress. and be 1T further
hesolNed. That we urge President
Cleveland to use all the power and fa-
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