Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-04-20
The Final Step Is Taken.

last step toward 1t has been TAKEN
The resolution upon which Congress
finally agreed, Tuesday morning, after
an all night session that will be famous
in history. was in all effects and pur-
noses a declaration of war. The reso-
luton as it at last passed the two
branches Is the Senate resolution with
ont the clause recognizing the present
Cuban government. 1t is really the
House resolution for immediate, armed
intervention differently Worded, and
with an added clause disclaiming any
intention on the part of this country to
exercise sovereignty. jurisdiction or
control over Cuba. Each body held out
tenaciously for its own resolution, ana
the session of Monday and Monday
night was the most exciting and I'M
portant that Congress has known for
third of a century.
The final victory was With the Presl-
dent and with the House Republicans
who so Loyalty supported him under
the aggressive leadership of Speaker
Reed. A few Republican extremists III
the House as in the Senate joined the
Democrats who We're playing pollticS
and using every tactic to embarrass
the President and place him and his
party in a false light before the coua-
try. They failed as they deserved to,
and their treacherous and disloyal
craftsmanship at a time when patriotism
and united action We're needed can
only react upon Democracy and
strengthen the administration. Now
that war is upon us. it does not seem
possible that any Democrat worthy
the name of American will fail to give
the President his cordial and hearty
support.
The action of Congress, as the news
spread over the country. yesterday
morning. was received With sigh of
relief. Just week had elapsed Sine"
lllp message VI Ing L ItSltNiiI w WI
gress, and the public was tired of de-
bate and delay. To he sure the debate
was made up of the abest and mos
eloquent speeches heard in Congress n
recent years, and the delay was well
improved in completing on land and
sea the preparations for war, but the
country wanted action. For some time
there has been no doubt that war was
inevitable. Every effort for honorable
peace has been made, but it was clear
that war must come. 1t was our right
and our duty to stop existing condi-
| tons in Cuba. to drive Spain from this
hemisphere, and give the struggling
Cubans an opportunity to establish a
| own. Moreover the loss of the Maine,
| over two months ago, was unavenged
and unatoned for. Spain would not
listen to reason, nor heed the warning
of the European powers. 1t has long
been known that the only price IF
peace was the final withdrawal of the
Spanish flag from Cuba and an ample
| indemnity for the Maine. Spain would
| not back down; would do nothing but
procrastinate and pile up diplomatic
lies and bluffs. Hence the general pub
lie, the country at large, wanted an end
II ltuit, md %
tain delay. and definite and aggressive
action taken.
The resolution means war. 1t de
mandS that Spain at once give up Cubs
forever, and, as there is no prospect u
| a peaceful compliance of this reques'
the part of the resolution authorizing
and directing the President to use the
land and naval forces of the country
to drive out the Spaniards will go int
immediate effect. The ultimatum t,
Spain informing it's government of th'
action of Congress and giving ii one
last chance for peace is mere matte
of form. 1t is the last grim act il
clearing the decks for action. Whe,
the President signed the joint resolu
ton, Tuesday afternoon, it was Will
a full realization that it meant war
But he stands ready to do his full dut,
: and only asks that the American PEG
!. pie do theirs by giving him unqualitie,
2 and united support.
We are strong and our cause is just
If ever war was holy. our conflict witt
Spain will be holy warfare We tigh
in the name of humanity. and in de
fence of our own just rights. w
carry the light of liberty to down
trodden people whom hellish tyrann
and barbarian oppression have kept il
the dark. We fight to maintain Oh
national honor and to avenge tn
y mangled martyrs of the Maine, tn
victims of the most infamous crime il
SPANS long list of unSpeakable deeds
The United States does not fight as tn
O coward who cannot run away, or a
:, the bully because his antagonist
:, weak or as the robber who coVet