The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1898-12-08
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE


To the Senate and House Of Repre-
sentatives:
Notwithstanding the added burdens
rendered necessary by the war our peo-
pie rejoice In a very satisfactory and
steadily increasing degree OF prosperity
evidenced by the largest volume OF
business ever recorded Manufacture
has been productive. agricultural pur-
suits have yielded abundant returns.
labor in all fields Of industry Is better
rewarded. revenue legislation passed
by the present congress has increased
the treasury's receipts to the amount
estimated by Its authors; the finances
of the government have been success
fully administered and Its credit ad-
vanced to the first rank: while its cur
rency has been maintained at the
worlds highest standard. Military ser
vice under a common flag and for a
righteous cause has strengthened the
national spirit and served to cement
more closely than ever the fraternal
bonds between every section OF the
country.
A review Of the relation of the Uni
ted States to other powers, always ap-
propriate, Is this year OF primary i'm
portance in view Of the momentous is
sues which have arisen, demanding in
one instance the ultimate determination
by arms and involving far reaching
consequences which will require the
earnest attention of the congress.
In my last annual message very full
consideration was given to the question
of the duty of the government of the
United States toward Spain and the
Cuban insurrection as being by far
the most important problem with which
We were then called upon to deal. The
considerations then advance6t-and the
exposition of the views therein ex-
pressed, disclosed my sense OF the ex-
IRENE gravity of the situation. Set
ting aside, as logically unfOunded OF
practically inadmissible, the recogni-
ton Of the Cuban insurgents as bellig-
J erents the recognition of the independ-
ence Of Cuba, neutral Intervention tc
end the war by imposing a rational
| compromise between the contestants
| intervention in favor of one or the Other
party, and forcible annexation Of the
| island, l concluded it was honestly due
| to our friendly relations with Spair
| that she should be given a reasonable
| chance to realize her expectations o.
| reform to which she had become IRE
| vocably committed. Within a few
| weeks previously she had announced
| comprehensive plans which it was con
i fidently asserted would be efficacious t,
| remedy the evils so deeply affecting
our own country, so injurious to tn
true interests of the mother countr.
| as we'll as to those Of Cuba, and 81
| repugnant to the universal sentimen
| of humanity.
Spain's Violated Pledges.
The message then proceeds to shov
that no relief was afforded the stricken
reconcentrados in Cuba, despite Spain
reiterated professions made in that re
gard, and follows with a discussion o
the relief measures started in thi
country and managed by the America
Red Cross. The message proceeds:
| At this juncture, on the 18th of Feb
ruary last, occurred the destruction Q
the battleship Maine while rightfull
lying in the harbor Of Havana on
mission Of International courtesy an
goodwill-a catastrophe the suspicion
nature and, horror of which stirred tn
nations heart profoundly. 1t is
striking evidence of the poise an
sturdy good sense distinguishing GU
blow, falling upon a generous people
already deeply touched by precedin
events in Cuba, did not move them t
an instant, desperate resolve to tolerat
no longer the existence of a conditio
of danger and disorder at our door
that made possible such a deed, b
whomsover wrought. Yet the instin,
of justice prevailed and the natio
anxiously awaited the result of til
searching investigation at once set Q
foot. The finding of the naval boar
Of inquiry established that the origi
, of the explosion was external by a sui
marine mine, and only halted, throug
lack Of positive testimony, to fix tt
responsibility of it's authorship.
All these things carried conviction
the most Thoughtful, even before tt
finding of the naval court, that cris
in our relations with Spain and towal
} Cuba was at hand. So strong w:
e this belief that it needed but a bril-
executive suggestion to the congre.
to receive immediate answer to tt
duty of making instant provisie
for the possible and perhaps speedi
| probable emergency of war, and tt
l remarkable, almost unique, spectac
+ | Of both houses, an the 9th Of Marc
9 appropriating fifty million dollars ''f
= the national defense and for each al
1 | every purpose connected Herewith to
J. expended at the discretion of the pres
e dent" That this act of provision can
0 none too soon was disclosed when tt
!. application of the fund was undertake
After referring to the notes present,
hyy hn toll hat -,
j. mainly and moderation might ma
b the course of this government and pc
= ple," and declaring that still, animat
by the hope of a peaceful solution al
obeying the dictates of duty, no effo
was relaxed to bring about speet
ending of the Cuban struggle" t.
president discusses Spain's puerile sc
forts" to produce peace and then /
Is message of April H. 1898, in which
:. declared that 1.-The long trial has pro
/ ed that the object for wh;c.. Spain h
} waged the war cannot be attained"
II Our Citizens Patriotic Response
b Then follows review Of the even
# Immediately preceding the declarati
Il of war, and reference to his procl
nation of April 26 announcing t
treatment proposed to be accorded
J vessels and their cargoes as to bloc
ade, contraband, etc. The MESA
, / continues:
q Our country thus, after an inter1
of half century of peace with all I
It lions, found itself engaged in deal
q conflict with foreign enemy. Eve
E. nerve was strained to meet the EN-,
y gency, The response to the initial c
+ for 125, 900 volunteers was instant a
complete, as was also the result Of I
. second call of May 25th for $4,000 &
ditional volunteers. The ranks of
regular army were increased to the Ii
its provided by the act Of April rs, Is
The enlisted force Of the navy on
le 18th day Of August, when it reached
4 maximum, numbered 24,123 men g
apprentices. One hunderd and tn