The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-04-06

prosperity, 1t must be known that we are at
all times ready for war"
If the spirit had animated US two years
ago that animated the first President when
he penned those words, we would never
have been placed in the humiliating sitna-
ton of taking money from the American
Treasury to feed American citizens who are
in the PRISONS of the Spaniards. We would
have demanded, as England or any other
selfrespecting nation. that the citizens Of
our country should have the right to pro-
coed upon the Island of Cuba to earn a le-
ultimate living. Our failure to respect our
selves has given us what was promised by
the Father OF his Country, the insults we
have invited.
The battle ship Maine, our gallant ship,
went down and 268 of our brave citizen sail
ors with her. At the time every citizen Of
the United States familiar with the Spanish
character felt confident that IL was Spanish
treachery. Our ship was there by right OF
custom, OF rendered hospitality, and also by
treaty contract she had an absolute right to
be there. The day closed, and she rode the
he rbor messenger of peace. No message
had been sent by our Executive inconsist-
ent with the national honor of Spain. Our
only offer was to try and restore peace,
alike honorable to all.
Our treasury had been opened to feed our
people. Definite plans were not even sug-
gested by the President, fearing to injure
our relations with Spain. Spain could not
conquer her own insurgents. Had we been
a grasping nation, we could at any time
within two years have made aggressive and
forcible annexation, taking advantage Of the
crimes Of Spain and the misfortune Of Cuba.
1.-THE night came on-a dark, gloomy
night, a natural and proper time for Spanish
bravery The remarkable part OF Spanish
history has been made in the night. Our
men were asleep in friendly harbor. They
were never challenged to try their courage.
They were not whipped in honorable battle,
but choked, burned, strangled and drowned
without a chance to die fighting for life,
without moment to say prayer. In the
twinkling of an eye they stood in the pres
ence of their Maker.
Suppose ninety of them had been United
States Senators. Suppose the balance had
been members of Congress, or made up Of
judges and leading professional and bust
ness men; would forty days have elapsed
had son or brother there! Do we tell our
children the truth when we say that the
life of every American citizen is Of equal
value before the law? They were not Sena-
tors; they were sailors. Their widows and
OF phans cry aloud to us. The silent appeal
of 268 seamen comes to us again and again,
saying to the Congress of the nation, 1--WE
are flesh of your flesh, bone of your bone,
and blood of your blood. We loved and
died for the flag that shields you" What
is to be your answer? Shall we answer
with money, Mr.. President? 1 speak only
for myself, and am for war. Applause in
the galleries.
But gentlemen may say, do not say you
are for war; say that you are for armed in
tervention," which means war. I believe
in calling things by their right names. II
we believe that muI deripg our men, sinking
for war say so; and refer it as they did the
| Virginius affair, and allow our brothers to
be sold like cattle for gold.
| II it is cause for war, let US assume the
| responsibility put upon us by the Constitu-
| ton, and say 30 not only to Spain but the
whole world. Let us not say one thing and
mean another. For Gods sake, Mr.. Presi-
| dent, let US not SpanshiZe our diplomacies,
but rather speak the truth and prove our
selves to be American citizens and worthy
| disciples OF James g. Blaine.
| We can hide no longer under the Execu-
tive wing. He can neither declare war nor
refuse IT, Congress alone can declare war
I for one am ready to vote now. You may
| continue to cry "Peace! peace!" but there
can be no peace while Europeans own and
| butcher their slaves on the same continent
where our flag floats.
But there are those who say that the courl
does not hx the responsibility. 1t was no,
necessary. The peace at any price" mar
cannot escape 80. The law fixes the re-
sponsibility. We were in Spanish waters
| anu ONof Opuhioh oOiis AhO hoi poh 10 Wv hou
controlled, and patrolled by Spain. The
explosives in that harbor were owned anG
controlled by Spain. II 1t was torpedo. |,
was Spanish torpedo; II II was mine, 4
was a Spanish mine. No explosives have
been on sale in Havana for over year t
private citizens. BY section Of Weyler's
proclamation 1t was crime TO buy, sell, Of
have possession Of explosives II 1t wa
gun cotton, 1t was Spanish gun cotton, anl
II it was dynamite, 1t was Spanish dyna
mite. The power to explode it was con
trolled by Spain as much az they controlled
the discharge Of their cannon. A Govern
ment acts only through its agents and OIL
GERS. 1t was owned, located, and exploded
by Spain, and Spain must answer.
Mr., President, have not made this state
ment without due elaboration. We hav
had more than forty days to deliberate.
1t had been the boat OF any live bushes
man, its owner would have had repor
within ten days. am not complaining.
cannot hope to escape criticism, but shall
not critioise. II ever there was time wheI
we should be open, frank and considerable O
each other, the time Is now. / am willinI
to be governed by the wish of a majority O
my friends who sit upon this floor 1 CLAIM
no monopoly on patriotism; 1 claim m
monopoly on love OF humanity; bring her
no pretense OF infallible Judgment. / de
sire to work in harmony for the honor an
glory Of this country with the Exeeutiv
and with Congress.
This 10 the only war-making power OF tbi
, nation. 1 am only one OF many, and 1t