Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-03-25

try in Order That Tyranny May
Be Driven From the Hemisphere.
Washington, March "A scene,
dramatic in the intensity OF its in
terest, was presented in the Senate to-
day during the delivery by Mr.. Thurs
ton, of Nebraska, of speech on the
Cuban situation
Not since the Inauguration OF Pres
ident Mckinley have so many people
been on the Senate side of the capitol
as were there to-day. The galleries
were packed with people, many OF
whom had arrived al the capitol as
early as $50 a. m, in order TO obtain
seats. Even the diplomatic gallery.
which is rarely occupied, was filled,
among those in it being Senior Mon
donca, the Brazilian 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 present was in his seat, and
by the time Mr.. Thurston had begun
his speech dozens of members of the
House were either standing or occupy
ing chairs in the area without the
semi-circle seats.
A JAR OF ROSES
had been placed on Mr.. Thurston's
desk, but he spoke from that of Mr.
Hawley in the central part OF the
chamber.
His first sentence, in which he said
he spoke by command Of silent lips-a
delicate and touching reference to
the loss Of his wife on his memorable
trip to Cuba-commanded instant at
tention. 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 furnished
the 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 to her
husband 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 accordance with this request,
therefore, Senator 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 animated Mr.. Thurston and in
spired him to his best efforts. his audi
ence instinctively realized and thor
oughly sympathized with his evident
emotion
The speech was very generally re-
garded as a mastery effort, and even
those who could not agree with his
conclusions conceded the power of his
Grafton. AS he neared the end of the
speech his voice, which had been clear
and ringing, notieeably broke. He was
almost overcome by emotion, but raj
lied with an effort and closed in
manner that thrilled his auditors.
Staid and dignifed Senator'S turned
away and wept, and in the galleries
tears welled to hundreds Of eyes. 1t
was remarkable scene and the still
ness until the last word had been pro-
nounced was as of death itself.
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 spontaneous and touch
ing amenities amid the turbulence and
discord of political life.
SENATOR THURSTON'S SPEECH.
Senator Thurston began by saying:
Il am here by command Of silent lips
to speak once and for all upon the
Cuban situation. | trust that no one
has expected anything sensational
from me. God forbid that the bitter
ness Of personal loss should induce
me to color in the slightest degree the
statement that | feel it my duty to
make. l shall endeavor to be honest.
conservative and just. l have no pur-
pose to stir the public passion in any
action not necessary and imperative
to meet the duties and necessities Of
American spOnsibility, Christian
humanity and national honor
would shirk this task if I could, but
l dare not. l cannot satisfy my con-
science except by speaking and speak
ing now"
Mr.. Thurston said that he had gone
to Cuba firmly believing that the con-