The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1898-03-12
PATRIOTIC U%TTERANCES.
Missouri Congressman Speak for
the National Defense.
Representatives Bland, Dockery and Coch'
ran support the Cannon Bill, Declar-
ing that the Presidents Hands
Must be Upheld.

WASHINGTON, March s.-There were
just three Missodrians who spoke on
the Cannon S5O.O OO, 900 bill. They were
congressman Dockery, Bland and Coch-
ran. Their speeches were as follows:
Mr.. Dockery said:
Mr. SPEAKER: l will detain the house but a
few moments. The time for discussion has
passed. and the hour for action is arrived.
Confronted as we are with the present
emergency, I believe that no American citi-
zen will falter or hesitate. Divided We may
be among ourselves upon questions of do
nestle policy, as to our relations toward
other nations we present an unbroken front
lApplause.l Party lines fade away, and we are
ready on this side OF the chamber to join the
other side in support of all proper measures to
protect the country and to uphold the national
dignity and the national honor. This bill
places at the disposal Of the president. for the
national defense. S50.0O0.O go l SUPPORTED 1t in
committee; it was reported unanimously, and l
give it my hearty and enthusiastic support now.
l am willing now and at all times to vote to
maintain the majesty of this gOvernment and
to promote its vigor and power.
Mr.. Speaker. We have inherited through
great tribulations the priceless blessing Of lib
erty and self-gOvernment from the Industrious
military and naval heroes OF this republic. Let
us show ourselves worthy of our forefathersO of
tiC lCHOluGlOI'd ll il u pair VIM III Oil
the later wars, have upheld upon land and sea
the principles of republican government. Sir,
let there be no discordant note in our response
to the universal voice of the American people
Summoning US here and now to stand by the
government and support this appropriation"
Mr.. Cochran. of st. Joseph, spoke as
follows:
MIR. l shall vote for this bill be-
cause l regard it as another step in the attain
ment of manifest destiny; because l believe that
1t will be Il message of joy to the heroes who
follow Gomez and are lighting for the liberation
of Cuba; because l believe it is another step in
tee direction. of dedicating this New World to
liberty and repubiicanism rs tradition and his
tory have dedicated the Old World to mon
archy; because l believe it is but Signalling
the passage of another of the great powers that
has wrecked and accurSed and incUmbered the
earth, and the building up of another COM
monwealth so that men may be happy in
the sunlight OF liberty. 1 vote for it because
l believe that it is an admonition to Spain that
Cuba is forever loSt-a notice to the world that
this great country has 1T last arrayed itself on
the side of liberty and against the murder. the
rapine and barbarity that characterize the OPP
precision of the Cuban patriots. 1 know 1t
sounds well to the ear to say that this Isl peace
measure. 1t is an admonition to Spain to let go
of Cuba, or it is i war measure; and We had as
well understand it that way. The history of the
Cuban struggle is one long succession of abuses,
OutrageS, murders and unheard-of atrocities.
The fOrbearance, the patience with which the
American people have witnessed its struggle
Signalized their devotion to peace. This is the
signal that they are AZ the same time prepared
for war. IApplause.l
Mr.. Bland spoke as follows:
Mr.. Speaker. it was unnecessary to say in
the beginning that no debate on this bill was
essential to it's passage. A debate is i important
for the reason that it shows to thu country and
to the world that the American people, without
distinction of class, condition or party, are
ready to uphold the administration in the pres
cnt crisis. We are told that this is 4 peace
measure. l hope it is, Mr.. Speaker. No man
who loves his country, no man who is a philan-
thropist and loves mankind. can wish to invite
war for wars sake. 1 take it for granted that
war is a calamity under all circumstances and
only should be entered upon when all else fails,
when diplomacy itself is exhausted. when the
honor and the dignity Of the nation are involved.
l have confidence, Mr.. Speaker, in the chief
executive OF this notion, and that he will do
right in this emergency. l care not whether
he be republican or a democrat, or 4 popul1St,
he is an American and VT are all. l am will
ing to trust him and his discretion and patri-
otism, not only with this fifty millions. but
twice that if it is deemed necessary. We have
no jealousieS in this governm mt like that
NhICh COLlltS lEOLn II CEONL tu utdlS VI Eu-
rope. where plots and counterplotS are entered
into for the purpose OF everthrowing the dy-
nasty. While w may have our domestic diff
ferenceS OF opinion, while We may be divided in
politics and as to our policies. yet we can trust
our president because we know that if he is not
faithful to his trust it requires no plot or cOun-
terplot to remove him from office every four
years: for this is 4 republic, and all abuses can
be remeiied at the polls. But, Mr.. Speaker.
while We don't favor war, and hope war may
not come. yet if it should come We are apprO-
priating the means to prepare Tor it.
Il hope this is Il peace measure: still. it may
be necessary as a war measure. Mr.. Speaker,
tne present situation and the situation for some
time past has shown the strength and power CT
this government. We don't move in Il hySter-
icaI way. Our people demand nothing but
what is right. They rely implicitly upon them
selves in their belief that right will prevail.
End the right policy will be pursued. We are
not in q hurry to go to war with anyone.
We know our strength, and. relying upon
tn" strength and patriotism Of this people.
we can wait and bide our time. But when war
does come, and God forbid that it should, let
our people make n swift and victorious decision
Of the contest. lApplauSe-l l am glad to know,
Mr.. Speaker. that We have the means in the
treasury to furnish the appropriation without
taxation. l am glad TO know that if We must 20
to war we can engage in the contest without
bonding our people to the money changers Of
the world"