Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-04-16
THE BA1TLESHIP TEXAS.

substantial progress toward the suppression
of said revolution, AMI has conducted the
warfare In a manner contrary to the laws Of
nations by methods inhuman and I'M
more than 200, 900 innocent non-comb atants.
the natives for the most part being
helpless women and Children intiicting
intOlerable injury to the commercial inter-
ests Of the United States, involving the de-
struction OF the lives and property OF many
millions OF money In patrolling our coasts
and policing tho high seas III order to main
tain our neutrality and
Wher cas-, this long series OflOsses injuries
and burdens for which Spain is responsible
has eliminated in the destruction OF the U. s.
battleship Maine in the harbor OF Ha-
vana and In the death OF 1858 OF our sea-
men:
Resolved, that the president Is hereby an
thorized and directed to intervene at once to
stop the war In Cuba to the end and with the
purpose OF securing permanent peace and Or
der there and establishing by the free action
Ofthe people thereof a stable and Independent
government of their own In the island Of
Cuba; and the president IL hereby authorized
and empowered to use the land and naval
forces OF the United States to execute the
purpose OF this resolution.
The Senate committees majority resolu-
tions, adopted by Il vote OF ll9 to 81 and
which Will III OuCS Uc ucUutcu, are.
Whereas, the abhorrent conditions which
have existed for more than three years In
the island Of Cuba. so near our own Dor
ders, have shocked the moral sense OF the
people OF the United States, have been
Disgrace to Christian civilization, cul-
minating as they have In the destruction
ofaU. $ battleship with 26G OF its officers
and crew. while on u friendly visit in the
harbor Of Havana, and cannot longer be en-
dured. rs has been set forth by the president
OF the United States in his message to Con-
gress on April IL, 1898, upon which the ac-
ton OF Congress was invited therefore,
Resolved. First, that the people OF the
and independent. Second, that 1t is
tho duty of the United States to de-
mand, and the government Of the
United States does hereby demand,
that the government OF Spain at once re-
linqui.h its authority and government In the
island Of Cuba, aud withdraw Its land and
naval forces from Cuba and Cuban waters.
Third that the president OF the United States
be and he hereby Is, directed and empowered
to use the entire land and naval forces OF
the United States and to call into actual
service OF the United States tho militia OF
the several states to such extent as nfsty be
necessary. to carry these resolutions into eff
feet.
Scenes in Congress during the presentation
OF these resolutions were the most exciting
which the House has witnessed since the de-
bato which led up to the civil war. This is
the irst step taken by the government col
lectively In the path toward war. In addi-
tionlthe time has been made noteworthy by
the presentation to the Senate of rrsOlu-
tions adopted by rhe Senate COMMITTEES
on Greign relations directing and en-
powering the president to use tho en-
tire land and naval forces OF the United
States to compel Spain to at once relin-
qush her authority and government in the
island of Cuba. and these resolutions were
accompanied by report from the COM
mittce on foreign relations, which, both as a
literary composition and presentation in
the high court Ofjusttcs Of the world OF the
case OF the United States against Span. Is u
most mastery argument. This report is
destined to form part OF the history OF the
country, and the action OF Congress will
make the period forever memorable. 1t is
the hope Of the conservatives in the upper
branch that the House resolutions instead of
the Senate will be- finally adop!e'ih ny CONGRESS.
but while the r, sOlu'ionsd rect the president
to intervene, those OF the Senate force him to
compel Spain TO withdraw her sovereignty