The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1898-04-02
RESPONSIBLE FOR EXPLOSION.

iA-'A -''ASib vi IsNi AO'AN-N
The battleShip Maine, our gallant ship. went
down, and 25S of our gallant citizen sailors with
her. At the time every citizen of the United
States familiar with the Spanish character felt
confident it was Spanish treachery. Our ship
was there by right of custom, OF rendered hos
pitallty, and also by treaty contract. She had
absolute right To be there. The day closed, and
she rode the harDor a messenger of peace. No
message had been sent by our executive incon-
SistenU with the national honor of Spain. Our
only offer was to try and restore peace. alike
honorable to all. Our treasury had been opened
to feed our people. Definite plans were not
even suggested by the president. fearing to in
Jure our relations with SPAN. Spain could not
conquer her own insurgents. Had We been a
graSping nation we could any time within two
years have made aggressive AMI forcible an
nexation, taking advantage of the crimes Of
Spain and the misfortune OF Cuba.
The night came on, a dark, gloomy night,
natural and proper time for Spanish bravery.
Our men were asleep in a friendly harbOr. They
were never challenged to try their courage.
They were not whipped in honorable battle, but
choked, burned, Strangled and drowned without
a chance to die fighting for life, without a mo-
ment to say a prayer. In the t~winkling Of an
eye they stood in the presence of their Maker.
Suppose 81 OF these had been United States
senators; suppose the balance had been mem
bers of congress or made up Of judges and lead.
ing professional and business men. would &C
days have elapsed before war began: Or sup
pose each senator had a son or a father there.
Do we tell our children the truth when we say
that the life of every American citizen is Of
equal value before the law: They we're not
senators; they were sailors. Their widows and
orphans cry aloud to us; the silent appeal of
26o Seamen comes to u again and again, say
ing: we are flesh of your flesh, bone OF your
bone and blood of your blood; we loved and
1fal Tor fhn Rnrf hat Ehfa1l- - " - - 10
our answer: Shall we answer with money!"
II AN Fol WAR"
Mr.. President. 1 speak only for myself. and l
am for war. Applause in the galleries. But
gentlemen may say: Don't say you are for
war-Say you are for armed Intervention, which
means war" l believe in calling things by
their + ght names. If we believe that murder
ing our men, sinking our ship and lowering our
flag is not cause for war, say so, and refer to it,
as they did the VirginiuS affair, and allow our
brothers to be sold like stock for gold. II it is
q cause for war, let's assume the responsibility
put upon US by the constitution and say so, not
only to Spain, but to the whole world. Let US
not say one thing and mean another. For God
sake let US not SpaniShiZe our diplomacies, but
rather speak the truth and prove ourselves true
disciples of James G. Blaine.
:.
We are in Spanish waters and over Spanish
BOIL. Inc narDOr IS owned and controlled by
/ Spain. The explosives in that harbor were
owned and controlled by Spain. II it was a
torpedo. it was 4 Spanish torpedo; il it was a
mine, it was L Spanish mine. No explosives
have been on sale in Havana for over q year 70
private citizens. II it was gun cotton, 1t was
Spanish gun cotton. and if it was dynamite, it
was Spanish dynamite. The power to explode
1t was controlled by Spain. A government acts
only through It's agents and officers. 1t was
owned, located and exploded by Spain, and
Spain must answer.
NO COMPROMISE WITH SPAIN.
1t is claimed by some that Cuba ought to bG
willing to pay SPANS Cuban war debt. Cuba