The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-19
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has given to the effect that the people OF
these United States have lost confidence
in one of the great departments of the
government"
Mr. Mason here resumed his standing
position, and he interrupted to say thar
the Senator from Colorado was entirely
mistaken.
II made no such statement" he said.
Mr.. Wolcott l declined TO be interrupt
ed. / ask to have the remarks read from
the reporters notes.
Mr.. Mason Isaid that some people were
losing confidence in the department.
Mr.. Wolcott--I decline to be Interrupted
ed. ask to have the reporters notes
read.
The reporters note quoted Mr.. Mason as
follows: II understand. that the navy de-
partment will make the investigation, but
/ also understand that an investigation
could be made by this branch of the gov
eminent that would not in any way in
terfere with the naval Investigation.
also understand that the people of this
country are fast coming TO the conclusion
that the real situation is not only being
concealed from the people, but from the
members of Congress and senators. The
people have a right to know something
about the situation. j say that the Leo-
pie do lack confidence in some of the de-
partments of the government, and they
sometimes, perhaps, do in this department
What possible harm can it be to a fair
and full investigation that two depart
ments of the government are investi5at-
ing the same thing at the same timer
Mr.. Wolcott then continued: 1.-THE Sen
ate would" he said, bear him out that
he did not mlsquote the senator from IL
linois to the extent of a single word or
single syllable"
Resuming, he said: fI desire to resent
as utterly unfounded the suggestion that
there is a patriotic citizen in the broad
confines of this land who has not the full
est confidence in every department of THIS
government, and in the department. of the
navy particularly. It'has been true in ev-
cry administration since the time of
Washington. The people OF the United
States have never yet been called upon to
distrust one of the coordinate branches of
this government, and they never will while
the flag floats Least of all is II decent
In my opinion, that in this
chamber there should be insin-
uations cast at this critical time
that there is a lack in the minds of the
people of the United States of confidence
in the navy of our country. MIR. Presl-
dent, from the time of Paul Jones until
now, our ships have sailed in every war
with their face to the foe. The records of
our naval battles are the most glorious
history in the pages of any country in the
last one hundred years. and from the esr-
Hest days until now there has never been
step backwards. To-day, as always, the
officers of our navy are honorable, cour-
ageous, upright men, and, above ell, they
tell the truth, The captain Of this Inflated
battleship was walking his deck at 10
o'clock on the night of the 18th when this
awful explosion happened. 1t may be that
his public career is ended forever, but the
awful disaster that took his ship will
count for nothing by comparison with the
degrading insinuation made here that an
officer of our country, with the oath and
with the flag above him, would lie and
cast responsibility where it did not belong.
Mr.. President, we can stand much dis
cussion and debate; we can endure much
Of public discussion when there should lie
silence, but there is one thing this conn
try can never stand, and that it is 10 lis
ten, and without resentment, to an iusi a.
uation that the officers of our navy are
not men of honor and integrity and of
truth. The officers appointed to investi-
gate will do their duty. / do not know
what the slums the senator from Illinois
may have dragged to find the expression
of an opinion that there is lack of con-
fidence in the personnel of our navy, but
/ know he cannot find an honorable or a
decent or patriotic citizen who will stand
up before the country and indorse for an
instant the utterances which the senator
has made.
Il do not underrate the Importance of
this branch of The government. believe
IN its dignity and its Importance, and in
the openness of its discussion, but what
we need now in my opinion is decent and
dignlneu reticence in the face OF the ap.
palling calamity that has fallen upon our
people There are times for speaking, and
there are times for silence and this is a
time, when we face the awful calamity
that has overtaken us, when we should
restrain any expression Of opinion, or ex.
pressions of our belief as to the means by
which this awful disaster was brought
about until in proper. regular and for
NAL way an investigation may be had
which we all know Will be conducted with
the utmost uprightness and the utmost in
tegrity
''Mr President ! speak as one who SYM
pathizes deeply with the citizens of that
unfortunate island now engaged in this
terrible deplorable conflict. 1 yield to no.
body in my desire TO see the conclusion OF
that war, but do say IL ever there was
moment when we should abstain from out
rageous and gratuitous insult to a friend
ly nation, that time is to-day. II ever there
was time when we should lend our help
TO every department OF the government II
should be to-day II there ever was a time
when she should refrain from unjust and
ignorant criticism it Is to-day.
"Ahl Mr.. President, war may come.
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