Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1898-08-25

ment refused TO become neutral and
continued TO DO an ally OF Spain, spend.
ing millions of dollara TO hunt down
Americana who sought 10 aid the
struggling Cubans. Recognition OF
the belligerent rights Of the Cubans
was denied by Cleveland and Mckinley
alike, After the battleShip Maine had
been blown up In the harbor OF Hava.
ma and two hundred and slxty'six OF
Ut our snllers murdered, Mckinley sent
a pacific message TO congress referring
TO this rs an "incident" and express
ing confidence that Spain would make
proper restitution therefor and oppos-
ing even the granting OF belligerent
rights to the Cubans Soon after the
blowing up OF the Maine, distinguished
American citizens who had visited
Cuba reported to tho American people
the barbarlties and cruelties that we're
practiced upon the non.combatants
and women and children OF Cuba,
which called from the American poo
pie an indignation that knew no
bounds The administration still re-
fused to discontinue its criminal alli-
ance with Spain,
Not until largo and influential
number OF republican congressman,
fearing the wrath Of nm outraged peo-
pie, decided to protect their own po-
litical fortunes by breaking away from
Mckinley and Reed and joining with
the democrats, popullsts and silver re-
publicans to give belligerent rights TO
the Cubans was the administration
forced TO accede TO the demands Of the
American people for intervention In
behalf Of the suffering Cubans
War was declared against Spain and
congress unanimously voted unlimited
means to prosecute the same. Tho
people OF tho country were patricia
one and all; party lines were unknown
when tho call to arms was sounded,
and side by side, actuated by the high
est motives Of patriotism and love OF
liberty, marched republicans, demo-
Gratis and populists to extend the bless
ings Of liberty to mankind and drive
Spanish misrule, cruelty, and oppres-
sion from the western hemisphere,
The only Tories found on American
soil in this supreme hour was the gold
combination, Cold blooded unpatri-
otic, 1t stands demanding tho fulfill
ment Of the pledges secured for the
advancement Of campaign funds in the
election of 1896 onerous taxes might
DO imposed upon tho people, debt
might be piled upon the nations back,
but incomes must not be taxed and the
silver in the vaults OF the treasury
must not be coined. The Tory gold
com bination represents all that 10 sell
fish and unpatriotic, and Is turning
the necessities Of the government TO
account at this hour when tho nobler
impulses Of our people are active, and
they hesitate not TO make sacrifices TO
extend the area Of human freedom.
The republican party was born In
the name Of human liberty Oh, how
fallen, when this same party to-day
bases It's hope to be continued In pow
er TO serve the most relentless, cruel,
and unfeeling taslsmaster OF all time,
the gold combination, upon the pre-.
sumption that the American people are
blind to their truckling subserviency
TO tho money power and will make
them the residuary legatecs Of the val
or Of American arms In the war for the
freedom OF Cuba which was forced on
an unwilling administration.
The war has not narrowed the vision
OF our people or dwarfed the desire for
the fullest and freest opportunity for
the development OF our great resour-
ccs On the contrary, is has aroused
greater activity, both national and IN
dividual ambition, and infused into tho
people the spirit Of nobler indepcnd-
cnce and broader self-reliancc.
Therefore, tho issue OF 1900 Is now at
the disposal Of the politicians, The
republican party will meet with as
much success in substituting fiction
for an issue in 1900 MS Palmer and
Bucl,ner did in securing democratic
votes in 1896. The issue that is para
mount to all others and cannot be dis
placed by any other until 1t is settled
correctly, is the battle for financial
and industrial independence. The
Chicago platform was the Lexington
in this grand struggle, and In 1900 the
seige OF Yorktown will follow Silver
Knight.
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