The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-04-27
The Queen Regents Speech
She Regards the Impending
War as the Result Of the
Prejudices and Passions of
the United States.


the Spanish Cortes to day vas magni.
6cent sight. All the wealth and beau
ty of Madrid gathered in the Seoa!e,
where every available foot of space was
occupied
Large bodies Of troops were drawn
up outside the building. including the
handsomely uniformed blue dragons
and the magni6ceotly at.ired palace
guards.
All the members Of the diplomat
corps we're present 10 full dress.
A wild cheer went up at 2 30 P. NJ.
when the Queen Regent was driven to
the Cortes Palace 10 State carriage.
escorted by detachment of Life
Guards. The cheering was taken up
within the building as the Queen
Regent entered, the cheers being ac-
companied by enthusiastic criee Of
"Viva La Reina p viva Alfonso
Trece T. "Viva Espana !" q really
unanimously patriotic demonstration.
The Qaeen Rsgeut read the speech
from the throne while seated. with the
young King Alfonso on ber right aud
the premier, Senor Sagasta. standing
uesr the King Her Majesty's words
we're inaciib!e to all but those 10 her
immediate vicinity The readiog vas
greeted throughout vita cries of "Viva
Espaoa!'
A wonderful picture was presented
by the Qusen's entourage. consisting of
most of the highest persooages in Spain
in brilliant Court, military. naval CT
palace uniforms
At the close of her Majesty's speech
there was renewed cheering, after
which Premier Sagssta declared the
Cortes opened and The Queen Regent
and the boy King. accompanied by the
Court, left the building amid another
burst of enthusiasm.
The Queen Regents speech began
1.-The grave anxieties which sadden-
ed my mind the last time l addressed
you have increased, and are heightened
by public uneasioess, osnveying the
presentiment of fresh aud greater CON-
plications as q result of the turn which
events in Cuba have taken. These
complications were brought about by a
section of tie people of the Uoited
States which, seeing that the autonomy
previously offered in my message
was about to be put in force,
foresaw that the free manifesto
tions the cuban people, through Its
chambers. would frussrate forever the
schemes against Spanish sovereignty.
which have been plotted by tboas who
with resources and hopes sent from the
neighboriog coast, have fettered the
suppression of the insurrection in
that unhappy island Should the Gov
ernment of the United States yield
to this blind current, menaces and
insult, which we have hitherto been atle
10 regard with Indifference, for they
we're not an expression of the ssnti-
meuts of the true American nation,
would become intolerable provocatiops,
which would compe! my Government.
10 defeoce Of the natiooal dignity, to
sever relations with the Government of
the United States.
''In this supreme crisis the sacred
voice of Hin who represents human
justice on earth vas raised iu couusels OF
peace and prudence. to which my Gov
ernment had DO difficulty in hearkeuiog,
strong iu the consciousness of it's right,
and calm in the strict performance of
it's duties -
Her Majesty added: 'spaio's g7as-
itude is due to the Pope, and also to
the great Powers. whose action
strengthens my conviction that Spain's
cause deserves universal sympathy, and
that her conduct merits unanimous
approval.
POSSIBLY. however, the peace efforts
may fail to control the evil passions e1-
cited againss Spain. Lest this mo-
ment arrive. have summoned the
Cortes to defennd our rights, what.
ever sacrifice they may eotail. Thus
iodeotifying myself with the nation, l
not only fulfill the oath | swore 10 ac
ceptiug the regency, bnt follow the
dictates Of mothers heart, trusting to
the Spanish people to gather behind my
sons .hrooe, aud to defend it until he is
cd enough to defend it himself, as we'll
as trusting to the Spanish people TO de-
feDd the honor aud the territory Of the
nation. -
The queen Regent then referred to
the trouble in the Philippine Islands,
and. continuing, said /: although q
dark and gloomy future is before us,
the difficulties are not beyond our pow
ers With our glorious navy aud the
nbited nation hefore foreien AGGRESSION.