The Columbus journal., 1898-03-30

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Mr.. President, the distinguished sen.
ator from Vermont has seen all these
things, he knows al these things, be
has described all these things. but aftes
describing them he says he has nothing
to propose, no remedy tO saRgest.
have. am only humble unit in the
great government Of tie United States.
but I should feel myself traitor did ]
! remain silent now.
It is tcc late &c talk ::inut resolutions
according bellissren. iiah;s. and mere
resolutions recognizi:': the independ-
ence of the Cuban Icr.t!ic would avail
but little Our platform demands that
| the United States shall actively use tts
influence fos the independeuce Of tho H.
| land
1t was the plain drty Of the president
| Of the United States &c give to the Lib
| eral ministry ct Spain q reasonable time
in hich to test its proposed autonomy.
That time has been given. Autonomy 10
conceded the wide world over to be .
conspicuous failure.
The situation in Cuba has only
changed for the worse. Sagasts 10 pow
erless; BlancO is pOwer:sss to put an
end to the conflict. to rehabilitate the
island, or to relieve the suffering, starva-
tion and distress.
What shall the United States do. Mr..
President?
"The government of Spain. having
lost control of Cuba, and being unable
to protect the property CT lives Ct resi-
dent American citizens, or to comply
with its treaty obligations, We believe
that the government Of the United
States should actively use its influence
and good Offices to restore psace and
give independence 70 tie island
am Republican. and turn to the
last platform of my party and read:
"From the horr Of achieving their
own independence the people OF the
United States have regarded with gym.
pathy the struggles Of other American
peoples to free themselves from Eu-
ropesn domination. We watch with
deep and abiding interest the heroic
battle Of tks Cuban patriots against
cruelty and oppression, and our best
hopes 60 out for the fall success Of their
determined contest for liberty"
Cubs Must 30 Frsed.
Mr.. President, when that declaration
was read before the st. Louis conven.
tion, over which I bad the distinguish.
ed honor to preside, it was greeted with
. mighty shout which seemed to lift the
very roof Of thst great convention hall,
and it was adopted as part OF the plat
form of the Republican party by unani-
nous vote. On the 29th of June. 1896,
William Mckinley, standing upon bis
vine clad porch at Canton. O.. in &C.
cepting the nomination then officially
rendered him. said:
1.-THE platform adopted BY the Rspub-
lican national convention has received
my careful consideration and has my
unqualified approval. Is is matter Of
qualification to ne, es am sure it must
be to you and Republicans everywhere
and to all our people. that the express
sions Of it's declaration Of principles are
90 direct, clear and emphatic. They are
too plein and positive to leave any
chance for doubt or question a. to their
purport and meaning"
The platform Of the Republican par
ty, that irdo1 amsnt by its nominee for
president, WAS ratified by more than
1000, OGO American voters. That plat
form has marked my path Of duty from
the hour Of its adoption up to the pres
ent time.
It Is an honored boast of the Repub-
lican party that it always keeps its
promises and that its platform declara-
tions are always carried out by its ad-
ministrations. ! have no reason to
doubt. have every reason to believe.
that the present chief magistrate of tie
United States still stands upon the Plat.
form OF the Republican party. have
no reason to doubt, have every reason
to believe, that he will make its fulfill
ment a part Of the glorious history of
the world.
Mr.. President, that platform was
adopted almos: two years ago. Has
there been any such change In the Cu.
ban situation as to relieve the Republic
an party from its obligations? None
whatever. There has been NO change sx-
cept such as to strengthen the force Of
our platform assertion that Spain has
lost control of the island. Twice within
the last TIVE years have voted for q
resolution according the rights Of bel.
ligerents to the Cuban revolutionists.
Armed Intervention Necessary.
I believed at those times, I still be. |
lieve, that such . recognition ON our
part would have enabled the Cuban pa |
tEiots to have achieved independence for
themselves; that it would have given
them such standing in the money
markets Of the world, such rights ON
the sea, such fag on the land, that ere |
this the Independence Of Cuba would |
have been secured. and that without cost |
or loss Of bleed CT treasure to the people |
of the United States. But that time has |
passed.
The president further advised %:
"Tbe government has never in any way
abrosated its sovereign pEerogative Of
reserviDg to itself the determination Of
its policy and course according to ito
own high sense Of right and in conso-
nance with the dearest interests and con-
victions Of cur owe people should the
of the strife 20 demand"
This was the proper. the statesman.
like beginning Of the performance Of
the promise Of the Republican platform.
It was in accordance with the diplo.
matte usages and customs of civilized
nations. In the meantime the whole
apparently changed. In Spain
The Literal ministry Of Saeasta succeed
ed that of Canovaa The cruel and inhu-
man Weyler was recalled and succeeded
BY the humane Blanco. who, under tho
Sagasta ministry. has unquestionably
made every effort to hiring about peace
n the Island of Cuba under the promise
II autonomy-undoubtedly . decided
'dvance beyond any proposition ever be-
ore made fer the participation of the
.:absus in their own domestic affairs.
Mr.. President. there is only one &C.
ion poSs;k!e. IL aOv is tsLen-that in |