The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-03-28
PETERS sTIRs THE HOUSE.
Raises His Voice for War and Pays a
Tribute to Kansas.

Washington, March 28.-Congressman
Peters of Kansas City, Kan, made a
short speech in the house on the naval
bill, which was roundly applauded. He
spoke elOquently for a navy sufficiently
large to meet the requirements of any
situation which this country might have
to face He also dwelt upon the crisis
now before the American people.
Among other things, Mr.. Peters said:
eve are all conscious that this is a
most solemn and trying hour. We have
hoped and prayed that war might be
avoided, but we stand face to face with
the inevitable. The presidents course
since the $50 000, 900 appropriation has
met with universal approval. Congress
and the country have waited with mar
Vicious patience for him to work out a
definite policy. At last, his supreme
hour has come. His duty is clear. If
he performs it, he will be supported to
a man; if he falters or waivers, a mighty
and irresistible storm of indignation
will sweep over this country.
1.-The people of the United States, at
the first alarm of war, have rushed to-
gether in defense of the nations honor
with a magnificent abandon which has
been the establishment and admiration
of the world. We have been hating,
hesitating, waiting, while the cries and
grOans and agOnizing appeals of the
starving and dying are ringing in our
ears. Nay, even our president is in
suited; our countrymen are imprisoned
and murdered; our ships destroyed be-
fore our very eyes, while the voice of
our people is calling in no uncertain
tone, demanding that, in the name of
God and humanity, we take the decisive
step which shall stop this reign of
carnage. Once Cuban belligerence was
the remedy, but now it is war.
IF we had a formidable navy the
Spanish torpedo flotilla would not now
be steaming across the Atlantic. A war
between the United States and Spain at
this time would be fraught with deep
significance. 1t would result in the ex-
altatiOn of a principle which would be
an object lesson to the world for all
time. 1t would not be simply the Uni
ted States pitted against Spain 1t
would be the opposing forces which
have been at work shaping human des-
tiny through all ages.
ION the one hand, the ShriVeled, de-
crepit survival of a semi
system of oppression, cruelty, inhuman-
ity and violence; on the other, civil and
religious liberty, equality, human rights
and progress. On the one hand the di-
vine right of kings; on the other, the di-
vine right of men.
why need we shrink from such
conflict? Such a war would be bless
ing to the world
of the west he said: This section, [
say, which any man might be proud to
call his home, has been misunderstood
moderated and ignored and discrimi-
mated against. The natural growth of
this state of things is the much-abused
and maligned POpulist party, which is
the exponent of ali that is best of pure
Amercianism. The two states-Kansas
and Nebraska-which are now cOntroll-
ed by that party, stand in the vanguard
of progressive states. The percentage
of illiteracy in these states is less than
any two states in the Union. These
two states present more nearly the
ideal of pure democracy which possess
ed the founders of the republic. The
old question is flung back at US today:
Can any good come out of Nazareth?'
the same answer is applicable as of
yOre, Come and see.'
1.-The people who compose this much
maligned party are the bone and sinew
of the Acknowledgment farmers and
wage-earners, who earn their bread by
the sweat of their brow-hOnest, God
fearing men, the type of men who al
ways come to the cOuntry's rescue in
the hour of peril. Many of them are
the sons of Revolutionary sires. 1t is
for these, the rank and file the great
masses of the common people, for whom
the Populist party stands