The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1898-12-15
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

Notwithstanding the added burdens
rendered necessary by the war, our
people rejoice In very satisfactory
and steadily increasing degree of pros
perity, evidenced by the largest volume
Of business ever recorded.
A review Of the relation of the
United States to other powers, always
appropriate, is this year Of primary
Importance.
In my last annual message very full
consideration was given to the ques-
tion of the duty of the Government
of the United States toward Spain and
the Cuban insurrectlon as being by
far the most important problem with
which we have been called upon to
deal.
The war continued on the old foot
Ing without comprehensive plan, de-
veloping only the same spasmodic en-
counters, barren of strategic result,
that had marked the course Of the
earlier ten years rebellion as well as
the present insurrection from Its start
No alternative save physical exhaus-
ton Of either combatant and there
withal the practical ruin Of the Island
lay In sight, but how far distant no
one could venture tn conjecture.
At this juncture. on the 18th Of Feb
ruary last, occurred the destruction of
the battle ship Maine while rightfully
lying In the harbor of Havana on
mission of international courtesy and
good villa catastrophe the suspicious
nature and horror OF which stirred the
nations heart profoundly. The finding
of the Naval Board of Inquiry estab-
lished that the origin of the explosion
was external by a submarine mine and
only halted, through lack Of positive
testimony, to fix the responsibility of
Its authorship.
ALI these things c'rried conviction to
the most thoughtful, even before tho
finding of the naval court, that cris-
Is In our relations with Spain and to-
ward Cuba was at hand.
Nor was the apprehension Of coming
strife confined to our own country.
1t was felt by the continental powers,
which, on April 6, through their AM
bassadors and Envoys, addressed to
the Executive an expression of hope
that humanity and moderation might
mark the course OF this Government
and people, and that further negotia-
tions would lead to an agreement
which, while securing the maintenance
Of peace, would afford all necessary
order In Cuba.
In responding to that representation.
said I shared tho hope the ENJOYS
had expressed that peace might be
preserved in a manner to terminate the
chronic condition Of disturbance In
Cuba.
again reviewed the alternative
courses of action which had been pro-
posed, concluding that the only one
compatible with orr firm-set histor-
lcal traditions, was Intervention as a
neutral to stop the war and check the
hopeless sacrifice of life, even though
that resort involved hostile constraint
upon both the parties to the contest, as
well to enforce truce as to guide the
eventual settlement.
The grounds juctifying that step
were the interests of humanity; the
duty to protect the life and property
of our citizens in Cuba; the right to
check injury to OFT commerce and
people through the devastation of the
island, and, most Important, the need
of removing at once and forever the
constant menace and the burdens en-
tailed upon cur government by the
uncertainties and perils Of the stu.
alton caused by the uncomfortable dis
turbance in Cuba. l said:
That the long trial has proved that
the object for which Spain has waged
the war cannot be attained. The fire
of insurrection may flame or may
smolder, smolder with varying sea.
SONS, but 1t has not been and 1t is plain
that 1t can not be extinguished by
present methods. The only hope Of re.
lief and repose from a condition which
can no longer be endured Is the en-
forced pacifcation of Cuba. In tho
name Of humanity in the name Of
civilization, in behalf of endangered
American interests. which gave us the
right and the duty to speak and to
act, the war In Cuba must stop.
In view of this, the Congress was
asked to authorize and empower the
President to take measures to secure
q full termination OF hostllities be-
tween Spain and tae people Of Cuba.
The response Of the Congress, after
nine days of earnest deliberation, dur,
ing which the almrct unanimous senti'
ment of your body was developed Oh
every point save as to the expediency
Of coupling the proposed action with q
formal recognition Of the Republic of
Cuba as the true and lawful govern
ment of that island-a proposition
WHICH lhiicd VI SVuRTeSS,
after conference er the 10th day of
April, by a vote Of ~ to 35 In the Sen.
ate and 81 to 5 in the House of Rep.
resentatives, passed the memorable
Joint resolution, declaring:
First.-That the people Of the Island
Of Cuba are, and of right ought to ba
free and Independent.
Second.-That 1t is the duty of tho
United States to demand and the Cow
ernment Of the United States does
hereby demand, that the government
Of Spain at once relinquish It's author-
ty and government in the Island of
Cuba and withdraw its land and nayal
forces from Cuba and Cuban waters.
Third.-That the President of the
United States, be, and he hereby Is,
directed and empowered to use the
entire land and naval forces of thu
United States, and to call into the
actual service Of the United States, the
militia Of the several states, to such
extent as may be necessary to carry
these resolutions ih:o effect.
Foufth.-That the United States
hereby disclaims any disposition or
Intention to exercise sovereignty, juris-
diction or control over said island,
except fer the pacification thereof,
and asserts it's determination when
that Is accomplished to leave the gov.
ernment and control of the island to
It's people.
This resolution was approved by the
Executive on the next day, April 20.