The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-01

backed UP II necessary by the army ana
saw OF the United States. After Mr..
Grosvenor concluded, the debate went on,
the most significant utterance being made
by Mr. CUMMINGS: a New , 9oaK D oearsta.
which the question was assuming as unpa-
triotic and unwise. Messrs. Grow (Rep.,
Ohiol. and Skinner Pop. N. CO also
spoke. Little progress was made with the
naval bill. The only important amendment
adopted was one appropriating $4,000 for
the erection OF new buildings at the Naval
SION after the opening of the session Mr..
Lewis denounced the alleged agreement
which rumor said the administration was
considering to accept money indemninca-
ton from Spain for the murdered sailors
of the Maine. His remarks drew from M.
Johnson (Rep.. Ind an indignant protest
against the cries for war which he heard
al about him. At one point in his speech
the storm of Kisses from the galleries was
so great that the chair was obliged to warn
the spectators against demonstrations.
Mr.. johnson made some humorous re-
marks about Mr.. Lewis, saying sarcastical-
" that if he was set loose in Cuba the Span
iards would depart. Turning to the more
serious part of the question he said: Now,
in all seriousness, in discussing this cry of
war that we have heard on that side OF
the chamber, do gentlemen stop and re-
fleet moment upon what 1t means II we
should enter upon hostilities. If the hot
headedness of men in public life should
not force the. President to put Spain into
an embarrassing position which her proud
spirit will not permit her to accede to- III
the public men in Congress would simply
restrain their zeal and keep their hands
off the President he would be able to &C
complish in very short space OF time oy
the arts of diplomacy the independence Of
Cuba. We hear that the Cuban Junto in
New York say that they are willing to
Iaise and can raise hundred million dol
lars in order to purchase their independ-
ence. Now you see we have brought these
two antagonizing forces together by the
success of judgment of diplomacy and ex-
allied patriotism of the statesman in the
White House (applause) and believe IL we
will give him a fair opportunity to carry
out his purposes he will bring US to
triumphant conclusion without shedding an
ounce Of American blood" Great APP
plause)
LEWIS GoADS JOHNSON.
Mr. Lewis replied TIC Mr.. Johnson IN a
humorous strain for d time, in which he
created a great deal of merTiment, accused
Mr. Johnson of being muzzled by the speak
er and afraid To shake off his shackles.
quailing when the speaker looked at him.
Mr.. Lewis closed by saying: Il do not
know, Mr.. Chairman, whether the Presi-
dent Of the United States has selected the
gentleman as his Fidus Achates. as his good
friend and defender on this floor; but GER
tainly if such is the case then, as hum
- bic adviser of the President I would Sug-
gest that he join in the prayer of Caesar
10 be delivered from his friends. If ii should
come to pass that the President should re-
cetve, as some people in certain quarters
nope, and others fear. his political death.
then those who may Write mis- obituary, IL
the gentleman from Indiana continues in
the course he has been pursuing, may con-
tent themselves with the elegy Too much
Johnson !" cloud continued laughter and
Mr.. Johnson rose as lIr. Lewis took his
seat and made speech which. while it met
much disapproval from the galleries, was
listened to intently. II have realized from
the start said he, that the danger to the
country was the hotheadedness of those
men who never stop to reflect into what
they would precipitate the country. My
voice has been and still is for peace.
Whether it be proper or rot | do not stop
to care. 1 am opposed to war war with it's
devastating consequences; war which in
wolves a vast expenditure If public money.
which involves burdens OF taxation to be
suing or paper money, which involves a
period OF wild speculation; war which,
while 1t affords opportunities for exalted
patriotism and heroic devotion 10 the flag,
at the same time opens up an opportunity
Tor the cOrmOrant who always preyS upon
the vitals OF the government and seeks to
take advantage of its necessity. / am op
posed to that condition of affairs which
would take away the flower of the Ameri-
can people, which would put women in the
garments of mourning and which would
bring to our unwilling ears the voice or the
orphansI | would go 20 war only as a last
can blood except our quarrel should be
just one, and the. first gun would bring ev
cry American citizen to the support OF his
coIntry's flag, that it would carry with 1t
the moral support of the civilized world.
And he who believes that he moral support
of the world is to be igflorcd in a conflict
between two great nations advertises him
self to humanity as a man who knows
nothing of those Influences which, in time
Of national conflict. tend toward peace and
toward ultimate victory.
Il believe that If this House had been as
pstient as It has heretofore been, and If the
Senate had been as aT-seeing as hereto
fore and if they had given to the President
time to press ali diplomatic and moral sua
eli f1nA mill t-k1a -.
Spain, thirty days from this time would not
have elapsed until Cuba would be an indie
pendent state. Spain knows she cannot
conquer the insurgents, and that If she pro-
poses to do so now it will be war with this
Nation. Gentlemen may talk about the in
fluence of the bankers and the monetary
and business interests Of the world as they
please. but before God. j win not criticise
airy influence, monetary or otherwise, that
President has sent an ultimatum to spain
II means war. If you tell her to get out
you will make war. You excite the Spanish
pride. You leave Sagasta in a condition
that he is not able 10 complete negota
tions. You will shed American blood. You
will expend millions of treasure in achiev-
ing Cuban independence. At what a cost
Stop and reflect minute"
DID NOT SPEAK FOR MKINLEY.
Mr.. Johnson said he had been accused Of
speaking for the President and this he de-
MED and continued HE has by his per-
sona acts and his exalted patriotism won
the respect of the people North, South East
and West without regard to party ties.
Shame on the man on the other side of this
chamber who dare to make party capital
out of this matter" Mr.. Johnson said this
government had better allow the Cuhans to
pay $2O0,0O0,0OO to acquire their independence
than that one drop of American blood
should be unnecessarily shed. Applause on
the Republican side and Kisses in the gall
lerieS) 1t does not make any difference to
me whether | am Missed or not. | believe
we are standing on the verge of q volcano,
and | hope to God that the ultima tum OF
the President will not strike so suddenly
that 1t will reach such a resentment as to
beat of my heart. every effort of which /
am capable, will be thrown into the scale in
behalf of a speedy victorious conclusion of
that war. l hope to God that the repre-
scntatives of the American people on this
floor, the senators who represent the
ereign States at the other end Of the Capt.
tQl, will pause and see where we are stand
ing. Let us uphold the President. He has
brought the parties nearly together; he is
trying to avert war. l am told by those
and concerned, and that he has declared
that he fees it is a solemn duty he owes 20
the country to avert war.
Let no nan mistake the temperament of
the American people They are not all for
. war. Many men of good sense and judg-
war But there is great conservative
sentiment in the country that iS opposed to
war except as a last resort. 1t is not the
temporary applause of the multitude that
they seek; Ii is calm, cool. dispaSsionate
Judgment that will be approved when the
drifted away. | appeal from the misguided
sentiment of these persons | appeal from