The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1898-04-15


messages from the people have been
needed. Men in public life who want
to remain In public life must act as
public servants and do the popular
will. Sometimes politicians can fool the
people on many things. and fool them
often, but this was n occasion when
the people were un - lously for a ma
tional act of vengeance. The congress-
men but responded to popular de-
mands."
Purchase of Danish Islands.
A purchase of the Danish islands in
the West Indies has been proposed at
frequent intervals for many years past.
1t has sometimes been considered, but
seldom very seriously. The prevailing
thought has been that the possession of
one of these islands would be Of great
value to any European nation that was
without a harbor or station in this part
Of the world but would not be worth
while for the United States.
In the present furry the idea has
been revived, and has advanced as far
as definite proposition reported by
the naval committee in the senate. 1t
Is naturally thought that coaling sta
ton in the near neighbofhood Of the.
thing to have, and IL seems to be as
sumed that Denmark is willing to sell.
Appropriation of $1,O0O.OOO.
On the eve of the adjournment of the
New York legislature Governor Black
asked as a precautionary measure that
an appropriation of 81 10000 be made to
meet the expenses of the national
guard, naval militia and volunteers of
the state in case Of war with Spain.
Bills were introduced simultaneously
In both senate and assembly, passed
under suspension Of the rules without
debate in either house and signed by
the governor within an hour after in
PRODUCTION. The bill became a law with
out being printed, and New York was
ready to respond to a call Of the presi-
dent for troops and pay the states ex-
penses at once.
Congressman Amos J. Cummings of
New York, who visited Cuba with the
congressional party some weeks ago,
addressed the house Of representatives
on his return and said.
II saw In Matanzas an American citi-
zen who, two years ago, was worth
100000. He had an estate six miles up
the Matanzas river. He married his
wife in Amherst, Mass. When Weyler's
order was issued his plantation was de-
stroyed and he was driven within the
trocha Of Matanzas with the other re-
concentrates. All, sir, here was the
initial step for Intervention by the
American government. 1t was at that
time that not only a protest but per-
emptory order should have been given
to Spain. She should have been told:
1.,;, to.
the pens If you see fit, but keep your
hands off from American citizens
Driven into the Pen.
"These American citizens were driven
into this pen. The consul at Matanzas,
Mr.. Brice, told me with his own lips
that he had reported this to the state
department, where the report has re-
NAMED buried to the present hour. This
American and his family are still
penned in at Matanzas, and are saved
from starvation by the $4,000 congress
sional appropriation.
"At Sagua, sir, Consul Barker told me
of an American citizen who, refusing
to obey the order of Weyler, was
murdered, his plantation destroyed, his
cattle killed. The consul sent to the
state department the affidavits of seven
eye witnesses of the murder, and that
report has remained buried in tho
state department out of sight of the
light of day.
"Mr. Chairman, / repeat, the Ameri-
can people want no politics here in
congress on this question. They de-
mand action as Americans. They de-
mand the action of an American con-
gress, and so far as l am concerned.
Mr.. Chairman, 1 shall vote with any
party and with every party that will
support proposition to give freedom
and independence to Cuba.
Politics Should BE Eliminated.
There ought to be no politics in such
a crisis. a plague on both your
houses. Behind you stand the Amer
lean people. They are not asking you
as Republicans whether you will recog-
nize the independence of Cuba, nor are
they asking the Democratic party on
this floor whether they are in favor of
1t. They ask your action as Americans
without regard to party, appealing, as
they have a right to appeal, as Ameri-
can citizens to an American congress.
They point, sir, to the fact that with
every day Of delay thousands of little
children, thousands of women and 9TH
er reconcentrados OF Cuba are dying OF
starvation. Every day hundreds of
deaths are heaped upon the heads of
congress because of it's policy of mac
ton. -
Zone word more, Mr.. Chairman. If
this is not done, and dishonorable
course Is taken, let the navy depart
ment paint it's ships in black, let the
Almighty drape the heavens and let the
American people sit down in sackcloth
and ashes, for there is one thing worse
than war, and that is national cow
| ardice."
That speech had great influence. 1t
brought the representatives of the peo-
| pie to their feet, and tremendous APP
plause from the galleries followed.
Cousins Poetical Quotation.
Another speech which greatly en-
| HANGED the war feeling was delivered
| by Congressman Cousins of Iowa, and
until this day, even In the present ex-
citment, his poetical quotation is fire.
quently reproduced in metropolitan pa
pers:
| Lord. God of hosts, be with us yet,
| Lest we forget, lest we forget"