The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1898-04-06
la DECLARATION OF WAR
AGAINST SPAIN PROPOSED IN THE
HOUSE AND SENATE.

AGAINS SPAIN FROFOOSc IN iFIG
HOUSE AND SENATE.
Jolrt Resolutions Introduced to that Ell
feet by eading Senators and Rspresen-
tssives and Recognizing The Inde pendenc
Cuba-war Fe cling at High Tension.
Interest in the Cuban situation
reached a climax in the United States
Senate on last Tuesday as on previous
days of discussion of the Cuban cues
ton, thousands OF people fiocked to
the capitol, only few of whom, COM
paratively, could gain admission to
the galleries. Within five minutes
after the senate convened Mr.. Allen
OF Nebraska introduced resolution
recognizing the independence OF the
Cuban republic. This was followed
by q resolution proposed by Mr.. Raw
lins of Utah declaring war against the
kingdom of Spain. Mr.. Foraker of
Ohio then introduced resolution de
claring for such intervention in the
Cuban war as would bring about the
independence of the Cubans. FOLLOW
ing this came resolution by Mr..
Frye of Maine demanding that Cuoa
be made free. The resolutions follow
ed one another so rapidly as almost to
stun the auditors, both Senators and
spectators,
This was the condition when the
Vice President recognized Mr.. Mason
of Illinois, for his announced speech
| on the Presidents message. transmit
ting to congress the findings OF the
Maine court of inquiry. Mr.. Mason
read his speech from manuscript, but
it was delivered with all the vigor and
fire of which he is capable. The IN.
tensity of the feeling of those in the
galleries was elected by his declara-
ton that be was for war. Vice-Presl-
dent Hobart mad difficulty in suppress
ing the demonstration.
The resolution of Mr.. Rawlins is as fol-
lows
Whereas, the war waged by the kingdom
of Spain against the people Of Cuba has de-
stroyed the commerce between them and the
people of the United States and its revival
will be impossible SO long as such war msy
continue, and,
Whereas, by the authority Of that kingdom,
in the course of such war much American
property has been destroyed and many
American citizens, without just cause, have
been imprisoned and some assassinated IN
their prison cells; and,
-h;1a shin Maine at an
chor in the harbor Of Habana, within the
dominion and under control of the kingdom
of Spain at place designated by her autho.
rity; that ship and most of the men on board
in the service of their country, by the ex-
plosion of submarine mine were Tllfully,
wickedly and treacherously mangled and de-
stroyed; and,
Whereas the kingdom of Spain has proven
herself incompetent to tranQuilize the island
Of Cuba either BY the methods ofpeace or BY
( means of civilized warfare; and accordingly
has proceeded to make desolete the homes
of its peaceful inhabitants, driving men, wo-
men and children into guarded camps, de-
tanning them there without making provls-
I ion to shelter, clothe OF feed them, thus vii
fully causing their determination to the
number Of hundreds of thousands-by the
slow and tortuous process Of starvation; and
Whereas, against these wrongs, against
these revolving acts Of inhumanity this gov.
ernment has time and again made peaceful
protest to the kingdom Of Spain, at the same
time endeavoring By helpful charity to re-
ieve those whom she has brought to such
dire distress, and our repeated protests hay
ing been disregarded and our efforts Of
philanthropy having proved unavailing
and
Whereas, firmly convinced that further
peaceful protest will prove equally il vain
and that the recognition Of the independence
Of the republic of Cuba and armed interTen-
ton in its behalf by this government will
alone be effective for the redress for the
past and the prevention Of future wrongs,
and
Whereas, while regretting the necessity
now imperious- such action, but mindful
of our duty to neighboring people and to
humanity and with consciousness as to the
business Of our cause and that our action
wG meet with the approving Judgment OF
all civilized people, now, therefore; be 1t
Resolved, By the senate and the house Of
representatives Of the United States of Amer
ica IN congress assembled, that the indepen-
dence of the republic of Cuba be, and the
same is hereby recognized, and that war
against the kingdom Of Spain be and the
same is hereby declared, and the President
is hereby authorized and directed to employ
the land and naval forces Of the United
States Of America to wage such war to sue
cess.
Mr.. Mason first spoke of the condI-
ton OF affairs in Cuba and the picture
painted By those who had visited the
island. Speaking of the destruction
of the Maine, Mr.. Mason said:
''The battleship Maine, our gallant ship,
went down and 26S of our gallant citizen
sailors with her. At the time, every citizen
of the United States, familiar with the Span
ish character. felt it was Spanish treachery.
Suppose 80 Of the sailors who were murdered
had been United States senators, suppose the
balance had been members Of congress or
made up of judges and leading professional
and business men, would four weeks have
elapsed before war began? And suppose each
senator had son or father there? DO we
tell our children the truth when We say that
the life of every American citizen is Of equal
value before the law? They were not sena-
tors, they were sailors. Their widows and
orphans cry aloud to US, the silent appeal OF
268 seamen comes to US again and again,
Saying, we are flesh of your flesh, bone of
your bone and blood of your blood, We loved
and died for the flag that shields you. What
is to be our answer? Shall we answer with
money? Mr.. President, speak only for
myself, and am for war. But gentlemen
may say: Don't say you are for Tar-say
that you are for armed Intervention, which
means war believe in calling things by
their right name. If we belve that murder
ing our men, sinking our ship and lowering
our flag is not cause for war, say so, and re,
fer it, as they did the Vlrginius affair, and
allow our brothers to be sold like stock for
gold. If it is cause for war; let's assume
the responsibility put upon US by the con-
stitution, and say so, not only to Spain but to
the whole world. Let US not say one thing
For Gods sake let