The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-04-21
Queen Regent Given an Ovation on
Her Way to the Chamber.
TONE OF SPEECH THRILLING
Nation Called on to Defend Its
Honor.

Mdurlu, April Zu.-lne opening OIL tnS
Spanish Cortes to-day was magnificent
sight. All the wealth and beauty of Mad
rid were gathered in the Senate, where
every available foot of space was occu-
pied,
Large bodies of troops were drawn up
outside the building, including the hand
somely uniformed blue dragons and the
magnihcently attired palace guards.
All the members of the diplomatic corps
were present in full dress.
A wild cheer went up at 2:S0 o'clock
when the Queen Regent was driven to the
Cortes palace in a state carriage, escorted
by detachment of the Life Guards
The cheering was taken up within the
building as the queen Regent entered, the
cheers being accompanied by enthusiastic
cries of "Viva la Reinar' Viva Alfonso
Trecew "Viva Espanav'
A really tumultuously patriotic demon
stration.
The Queen Regent read the speech from
the throne while seated with the young
King Alfonso on her right and the prem
Ter, Senor Sagasta, standing near the King.
Her Majestys words were inaudible to
all but those in her immediate vicinity.
The reading was greeted throughout with
cries of viva Espanaw
A wonderful picture was presented by
the Queens encourage, consisting of most
of the highest personages in Spain in brill
forms.
At the close of Her Majestys speech
there was renewed cheering, after which
Premier Sagasta declared the Cortes open
ed, and the Queen Regent and the boy
King, accompanied by the court, left the
building amid another wild burst of en-
thusiasm.
The Queen Regents speech began: "The
grave anxieties which saddened my MIND
the last time I addressed you have In
creased and are heightened by public un-
easiness, conveying the presentiment Of
fresh and greater complications as re.
suit of the turn which events in Cuba
have taken. These complications were
brought about by a section of the people
of the United States which, seeing that the
autonomy previously offered in my mes
sage was about to be put in force, foresaW
that the free manifestation of the Cubar
people, through ats chambers would frus
trate forever the schemes against Spanish
sovereignty which have been plotted BY
those who, with resources and hopes sen
from the neighboring coast, have fettereC
the suppression Of the instruction in tina
unhappy island Should the government O.
the United States yield to this blind cur
rent, menaces and insult which we hav,
hitherto been able to regard with indffer
ence, for they were not an expression o
the sentiments of the true American ma
ton, would become intolerable provoca
tions which would compel my governmen
in defense of national dignity to sever re
lations with the government of the Unite,
States.
I'm this supreme crisis the sacred voie'
of him who represents human justice OF
earth was raised In counsels of peace anC
prudence, to which my government hat
no difficulty in hearkenlng, strong in thu
consciousness of its right, and calm Il
the strict performance of its duties"
Her majesty added: SPANS gratitude
is due to the Pope, and also to the grea
Powers, whose action strengthens my con
victlon that Spain's cause deserves uni
versal sympathy and that her conduc
merits unanimous approval.
Possibly, however, the peace effort
| may fail to control the evil passions ex
cited against Spain. Lest this moment ar
rive. 1 have summoned the Cortes to de
fend our rights, whatever sacrifice the,
may entail. Thus identifying myself wiz
the nation / not only fulfil the OATH
swore in accepting the regency. but fol
low the dictates of mothers heart. trust
Ing to the Spanish people to gather benin
NV sons throne, and 10 defend It until h
Is old enough TO defend Il himself, as wei
as trusting TO the Spanish people 10 de
fend the honor and the territory OF tn
| nation"
The Queen Regent then referred TO In
| trouble in the Philippine Islands. and, con
| tfnuing, said. Although dark an
gloomy future Is before US. the difficult
| lies are not beyond our powers, with ou
/ glorious army, navy and the united na
| fcnrtt,,,,aa "a, rrtfth pagcA