Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1898-12-15

message was delivered to congress yes
terday, and is one OF the most important
documents coming from an executive III
recent years:
TO the Senate and House of Represen-
tatives:
Notwithstanding the added burdens
rendered einier necessary by the war, our people
increasing degree Of prosperity. evidenced
py me ,largent volume of business ever
ductive, agricultural pursuits have yield
ed abundant returns. labor in all fields of
industry is better rewarded: revenue leg
has oy the
the amount estimated by its authors; the
finances Of tho !governTe at have been
advanced to the first rank; while it's cur
Irency has been maintained at the worlds
highest standard. Military service under
common flag and for a righteous cause
has strengthened the national spirit and
served to cement more closely than ever
the fraternal bonds between every section
In reviewing the controversy which led
up to the war with Spain, the president
takes up the thread of narrative where it
He concluded: ut was honestly due to
our friendly relations with Spain that she
should be given reasonable chance to
realize her expectations of reform to
which; 5; she had become irrevocably COM
II became eVloent, however, that the
proposed plans were barren of good re-
suits. No tangible relief was afforded the
reeonG ;e among whom the rate Of
expede ~ zones of
proved illusory; and it vas apparent that
nnothing save the physical, exhaustion Of
Of Or the sn island e c e Gould resas
from the struggle then in progress.
tt this ertieal the
corning it. the president saws:
lit is a striking evidence of the ooise
and sturdy good sense DISTINGUISHING our
blow, falling upon a generous people, al
in Cuba: did not move them to an in-
slant, desperate resolve to tolerate no
longer the existence of a condition of dan
ger and disorder at our doors that made
possible such decd, by whomsoever
Resuming the war narrative, the presi-
dent directs attention to the measures, in
elud1ing the $4,000, 200 appropriation for
SUFFICIENT to say that the outbreak of war,
wen it ad &c meet fGnnd 0ar nation not
Reference is made to the apprehension
OF coming, strife by, the Continental pow.
through their ambassadors and ENJOYS;
animated. however. by the hope of a
obeying the dictates OF duty, the PRESIDENT
relaxed no eort to bring about q speedy
ending Of the Cuban struggle. Negotia..
futile, SO far as practical results were
concerned. and when the president pre-
scented the question to congress-, saying:
I'm the name of humanity. in the name
Of civilization, in behalf of endangered
American interests. which give us the
right and duty to speak, and to act. the
war In Cuba must STOP.
The Declaration of War.
THO Of eft Of ho
. was the adoption Of the memorable joint
resolution by congress. declaring the pur-
pose Of the United States to intervene be-
tween the Spanish and Cubans. Follow
ing swiftly upon the enactment of the res
olution came the severance of diplomatic
relations between the two countries. the
proclamation of blockade of Cuban
ports the calling for volunteers and the
formal declaration of the existence of
state of war. All other governments
were Immediately notified Of the existence
of war, and each proclaimed neutrality.
1T is not among the least gratifying. in
cdents of the struggle that the .obliga-
charged by all. often under most delicate
and difficult circumstances
The president reviews at length the
work Of preparation for war, referring
particularly to the enlistment of the vol
unteers; to the material increase of the
navy in both men and ships and to the
protection of the seaboard coast and the
cities.
Maine to California"
Referring to "the ftlcult end important
character" of the work performed by the
signal corps, the president says:
:'Iihis service was invaluable to the ex-
ecutive in directing the operations Of the
army and tbs os M'tH by diseases IN
camp and field, officers and men included,
AS to the authorized loan Of 5000, 900, 900
which was taken entirely Dy small Did
ders the president says:
''This was IL most encouraging and sig
niheant resu'. S1q }%a dkstermination Of the
people to uphold their countrys honor
1t is rot within ne province e. Of 3fo tina M
traordina.y war 1ka' followed the Spanish
declaration of Apr.l list, but brief re-
itai of It's more sill lent features 81, IS ap-
i; IN point OF date took place April 27th.
when a detachment of the blockading
squadron made a reconnaissance IN 1orce
at Matanzas. SHIELDED the harbor forts ana
IemnIisheI several new works in con-
The next engagement was destined to
mark q memorable epoch in maritime war
fare. The Pacific fleet, under Commodore
George Dewey had lain fer some weeks at
lcng Kong Upon h the eol2n saa pr nnd Ihe
visionary .wenty-four hours notice be-
nr given II rspared Mirs ndy TO near the
n I."t jslnrds under telegraphed or
ders 70 Capture destroy the foym nia
spanish fleet then aS tn 1.f "a az Nav the
A, me HT FORCES or entered Manila bay. and
c, hours r M Gs sent,s G5f daet
' w, Of ten warships and a trans
po besides sat.rnnE s the "nninia E3st te
;, ~" LEI 20 nnvnl nowcr In the Pacific ocean
and COZ Completely controlling the BAY c,t Of
Manila With the ability ,d to , on our 1ns sh GIsy
a. a. WV" mnnndcd only numbering srven while
no, vHse was ma'eriaN'y sa '"!Hrsa %o
li',' INSTRUMENTATION ntly h,Stow Il ''nnn
sn ,S actors prcferment and substantial
recognitiOn: ,,,rkob,o Victory
,,n mn' ,ho Spirit OF our people and upon
II" fortunes Of tn" , WAR MnT ,hereby
cons. ~ or arms which continued
.Sss.T ,n"b" the struggle. Reinforoement'