The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1898-04-02
ONE VOICE FOR PEACE.
THREE STIRRING A0-
DRESSES IN HOUSE.
CHEERS, JEERs AND Kisses
johnson OF Indiana braves the Kisses
OF the Galleries with Passionate
Anti-war Speech Grosvenor
Pledges the Admtntstration
to Free Cuba Mr
BaiIey's speech


WASHINGTON, April For three
hours yesterday the packed galleries
aud excited members OF ths House lis
tened 20 passionate outburst OF ora
tory on the Cuban question. during
which the intensity OF feeling was
manifested by cheers,
ieers and Kisses. Time and again the
excited throngs in the galleries were
Gdmonished to be silent, and once
at least It seemed as if a motion
would be made TO clear them. The
three speeches which stirred the
assemblage TO its depths were
made by Mr. Grosvenor OF Ohio, who,
1t was assumed, spoke for the adrsin-
istratiou, and who practically pledged
il TO the cause for free Cuba; Mr..
Bailey OF Texas, the Democi attic
leader, who announced the Demo
cratic position as for free Cuba, with
out war II il could be avoided, but
with war, II necessary, and MIR. John
son Of Indiana, who spoke for peace,
declaring that IL was but our duty TO
go TO the extreme in magnanimity in
order to avoid the horrors Of war.
Mr.. lewis, a Democrat from Wash
lngton, provoked the speech of Mr..
Johnson, which aroused the members
and the galleries to the fever pitch Of
excitement
Mr.. Lewis had denounced the propo-
sition that Cuba purchase her freedom
from Spain, which, it was alleged, the
administration was fostering. Then
II was that Mr. Johnson, in n brilliant
speech, pleaded for peace. He faced
like a Spartan the storm of Kisses
which swept down upon him from the
galleries, and with passionate utter
ance adjured members TO pause before
they plunged the country into war,
the evils of which would follow after
In endless train. The House has had
before illustrations Of Mr.. Johnson's
fearlessness, but none SO striking as
yesterday, when he espoused the un-
popular cause and pleaded TO let di-
plomacy have its way. At the same
time he gave 1t as his opinion that If
an ultimatum had been sent to Spain
it meant war, as SPANS pride would
not permit her to humiliate herself
before the world He eulogized every
influence that made for peace and de-
clared his belief that the Cuban junta
would agree to pay si0o, Ooo, 900 for the
indie pendence of the island
Mr. Bailey, the Democratic leader,
was quick TO seize the advantage
which Mr. Johnson's S position had af-
forded, and, in a ringing speech which
set his followers and tho galleries
wild, he announced his belief. from
what Mr. johnson had said, that the
purpose of the Republicans in refus-
| ing to join the Democrats was to give
the administration an opportunity TO
compel the Cuban patriots 10 buy the
independence they had won from the
butchers Of Spain He too, deplored
war, and in describing its awful
horrors as the Southern people had
known them, drew tears from the eyes
OF some OF his colleagues He declared
there was yet a chance TO avert war
He had been told within twenty four
hours by a representative of the Cuban
junta that they did not want TO in
volye the United States in war; ali
they wanted was to have their inde-
pc ndence recognized, and with the
munitions of war and the recruits
they could then obtain, their inde.
pendence could be achieved. la con-
clusion, he said the Democrats were
for free Cuba, without war II posi-.
Bile, with war II necessary
This speech of Mr. Bailey's drew the
FIRE of the administration spokesman
on the floor, General Grosvenor OF
Ohio. With his reply the climax OF
the day was reached lie charged
Mr.. Bailey with attempting to make
political capital He denounced the
statements that the administration In.
tended to force Cuba 10 buy her free
dom as the silly invention of an idiot,
aud declared that, from the
President down, this administration
was for free Cuba Recognition
OF her independence, he said
would be but a halfway measure. He
thrilled his auditors when no asked
what meant the war preparations that
were going on night and day, IL not
that, when action was taken looking
to the independence Of Cuba, II would
be backed up, II necessary, by the
army and navy Of the United States
After Mr. Grosvenor concluded tho
debate went on, the most significant
utteranees being made by Mr. Cum
mugs, a New York Democrat, whS
denounced the political character
which the question was assuming a
unpatriotic and unwise.
Little progress was made with th'
naval bill The only important amend
ment adopted was one appropriatinl
$500, 600 for the erection OF new build
ings at the naval academy.
Arangureu Avea.esd
HAtagA Anil Ii tia announca.