Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1898-04-01
RELIEF AND MUsKETs.
Senator Thurston Urges Immediate In
tervention in Cuba.

! est WAS presented III Ile SclaIC IouaJ
during the delivery by Thurston Of
Nebraska, of a speech on the Cuban
subject. Not since the inauguration OF
President Mckinley have so many peo-
pie been on the senate side OF the capi-
tol as were there today. The galleries
were packed with people, many Of
whom had arrived at the capitol as
early as $3.50, in order to obtain seats.
A jar of roses had been placed on
Thurston's desk, but he spoke from
that of Hawley, in the center part OF
the chamber. His first sentence, in
which he spoke of the command Of 81
lent lips-a delicate and touching ref
erence to the loss of his wife on his
memorable trip to Cuba-commanded
instant attention. A hush fell oven
the great audience, which hung with
almost breathless attention and inter-
est upon every word. Some surprise
has been expressed that Thurston
should appear in public prominently so
soon after the death Of Mrs. Thurston,
but the first sentence of his speech fur
nished key to his action. 1t is true
that Thurston's speech today, 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 the re-
quest, therefore, 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 Thurston and inspired him
to his best efforts, his auditors instinct
lively realized and sympathized with
his emotion. The speech was very gen.
orally regarded as mastery one, 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, noticeably broke.
He was almost overcome with emotion,
but rallied with an effort, and closed
in manner that thrilled his auditors.
Staid and dignified senators 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
Thurston sank into his seat and buried
his face in his hands, the galleries
were swept by such tumult of APP
pause as has not in long time been
heard in the senate chamber.
AS a brother might have done, Allen,
Thurston's colleague, walked to him
and, placing his arm over his shoul-
ders, quietly led him from the cham
ber. The act was one Of the spontane-
Gus and touching amenities amid the
turbulence and discord OF political life
Thurston said he had gone to Cuba
firmly believing that the condition OF
affairs in the island had been greatly
exaggerated. He had concluded, how
aver, that an overstatement of the hor-
rOrs of the situation was impossible.
He was prepared not only to indorse
every word of the careful, concise
speech of the senator from Vermont
,Proctar), but was even convinced that
ne had undestated the facts. In de-
failing the incidents and reciting the
facts that came under his observation,
Thurston said he had no desire to deal
in horrors.
OF the 225, 900 soldiers Spain sent to
Cuba, less than 60, 900 are now avail
able for duty. The remainder are
dead, sick or returned to Spain inca
pacitated.
81 do not believe" said he, that
the entire Spanish army of Cuba could
stand one engagement in the open field
against 90, 900 well-disciplined Ameri-
can soldiers. The Spanish soldiers of
all people on earth would most gladly
welcome any result that would enable
them to return to their homes.
The time ior action has come. No
greater reason for it can exist tomorrow
than exists today. Every hours de.
lay only adds another chapter to the
awful story OF misery and death. Only
one power can intervene-the United
States OF America.
"We cannot refuse to accept this re-
sponsibility, which the God of the uni
verse has placed upon us as the one
great power in the New World. What
shall our action be-"
Two Battle ships Launched.
Newport News, Va, March &C.
The first great battle-ship launched
from private yard in the South kissed
the waves in James river at 1000
O'Clock today at the plant of the New
port News Ship Building and Drydock
Company, in the presence OF $4,000