Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-03-25

to-day. The galleries were packed with
people, many of whom arrived at the cap
itol as early as $3.50 a. m. in order to OBJ
tain seats. Even the diplomatic gallery,
which is rarely occupied, was filled. among
those in it being Senor Mendonca, the Bra
lillian minister. and party; ex-Secretary Of
State John w. Foster and Mrs. Foster.
and many ladies and gentlemen from the
various foreign legations.
Within a few minutes after the senate
convened, every senator who could be pres
ent was in his seat. and by the time Mr..
Thurston began his speech dozens of MEM
bers Of the house were either standing or
occupying chairs in the area without the
semicircle Of seats.
A jar Of roses had been placed on Nr.
Thurston's desk, but he spoke from that
of Mr.. Hawley, in the central part OF the
chamber.
His first sentence in which he stated
that he spoke by command of silent lips
a delicate and touching reference to the
less of his wife on his memorable trip to
Cuba-commanded instant attention. A
hush fell over the great audience, which
hung with almost breathless attention and
interest upon every word. Some surprise
has been expressed that Senator Thurston
should appear in public prominently SO
soon after the demise Of Mrs. Thurston,
but the first sentence of his speech fur
nished key to his action.
1t is true that Mr.. Thurston's speech to-
day, viewed from one standpoint. was an
unusual proceeding. but it was justified by
the conditions attending it.
Mrs. Thurston's Dying Request.
Mrs Thurston's dying request to her hus-
band was that he should lose no time on
account of her death to do his utmost to
save and free Cuba and its people. In ac-
,fc
ator Thurston sacrificed his personal feeling
and delivered his speech-a speech that was
his tribute to the memory of his wife.
Without knowing the motive which ami
mated Mr.. Thurston and inspired him to his
best efforts, his auditors instinctively real
lied and sympathized with his evident emo
ton.
The speech was very generally regarded
as a mastery effort. and even those who
could not agree with his conclusions con-
ceded the power of his grafton. As he
neared the end of the speech. his voice.
which had been clear and ringing, notice.
ably. broke. He was almost overcome
with emotion, but rallied with an effort and
closed in a manner that thrilled his audi
tors.
Staid and dignifed senators turned away
and wept, and in the galleries tears welled
TO hundreds of eyes. 1t was a remarkable
scene, ana tfe StlllHeSS uEtll lHe last "OrQ
had been pronounced was as of death it
self.
As Mr.. Thurston sank into his seat and
buried his face in his hands. the galleries
were swept by such a tumult of applause as
has not in long time been heard in the
senate chamber.
AS brother might have done, Mr.. Allen,
Mr.. Thurston's colleague from Nebraska,
walked to him and. placing his arm over
his shoulders. quietly led him from the
chamber. The act was one of the spontan-
eous and touching amenities amid the tur-
bulence and dscord Of political life.
Senator Thurston's Speech.
Mr.. President" began Mr.. Thurston, II
am here by command of silent lips to speak
once and for all upon the Cuban situation.
I trust that no one has expected anything
sensational from me. Goo forbid that the
bitterness of a personal loss should induce
me to color in the slightest degree the
statement that feel 1t my duty to make.
/ shall endeavor to be honest. conservative
and just. / have no purpose to stir up pub
lie passion in any action not necessary and
imperative to meet the duties and neceSsi-
ties of American responsibility, Christian
humanity and national honor. / would
shirk this task if l could, but 1 dare not.
l cannot satisfy my conscience except by
speaking, and speaking now"
Mr.. Thurston said that he had gone to
Cuba firmly believing that the condition of
affairs on the island had been greatly eX-
aggerated and that he had directed his ef-
forts in the first instance to the exposure
of the supposed exaggerations. He had
concluded. however. that an overstatement
of the horrors of the situation was impossi-
BILE. He was prepared, he stated, not only
to adopt every word of the careful. con-
else and specific statement of the senator
from Vermont (Mr. PROCTOR, but he
even convinced that he has undSrStafei
the facts.
Mr.. Thurston then tersely summarized his
observations and conclusions as follows:
After three years of warfare and the use
of 2250c0 Spanish troops. Spain has lost
control of every foot of Cuba not sur
rounded by fortified intrenchment and
protected by a fortified picket line She
holds possession with her armies Of the
fortified seaboard towns, because they are
under the virtual protection of Spanish