The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-01
REMARKS OF GEN. GROSvEN0R
WHO PRACTICALLY PLEDGED THE
ADMINIsTR ALTON TO FREE CUBA.
Democratic Position stated by DIR.
BaiIey-Tilt between Senators
Chandler ana Frye.
speclal 70 the IndlanapOlis journal.

Special to the indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON. March S1.-There was q
lively scene in the House this afternoon
during the running fve-mnute debate
over the paragraphs of the naval appropria-
ton bill. Lewis, of Washington, who.
though freak in appearance, is man of
real ability arraigned the administration
for its supposed course as to Cuba Mr.
Johnson, of Indiana, replied There was an
amusing exchange of wit and sarcasm at
each others expense, after which each gem
tleman stated his position seriously. Mr..
johnson spoke with his usual rapidity Of
utterance and with unusual force and elo-
quence. He held the attention of the
Hcus;e, as, indeed. he always does when he
speaks. He denounced war for the mere
sake cf fighting. He deplored useless blood
shed. He welcomed peace with honor as
the greatest of blessings He insisted that
every act of diplomacy should be exhaust
ed to avert war, SO that if war came It
would be just. He praised President Nc
Kinley for his wise and moderate course in
dealing with Spain. He passionately de-
Eounced the dragging in of partisan politics
in the consideration of our foreign relations.
He declared that he would utter that which
his conscience told him was right, despite
any possible effect 1t might have upon eiec-
tions He replied to question as to
whether he was in favor of compelling the
Cubans to pay $1O0 600 for their independ-
ence that he would rather they should pay
500, 100000 than that one drop of American
blood should be spilled His speech was
forcible plea against war for the sake of
war and against Mysteries in the conduct of
the legislative and executive branches of
the government.
An Associated Press Dispatch says: For
three hours the packed galleries and excit-
ed members of the House listened TO pas
sionate outburst of oratory on the Cuban
question, during which the intensity of feel
ing was alternately manifested by cheers.
jeers and Kisses. Time and again the excited
throngs in the galleries were admonished
to be silent, and once, at least, it seemed aS
if a motion would be made to clear them.
The three speeches which stirred the as
semblage to it's depths were made by Mr..
Grosvenor of Ohio, who, it was assumed,
spoke for ne administration and who prac-
tically pledged it to the cause of free Cuba;
Mr.. Bailey, of Texas, the Democratic leader,
who announced the Democratic position as
for free Cuba without war if it could be
avoided, but with war il necessary, and
Mr.. Johnson, of Indiana, who spoke for
peace, declaring that it was our duty to go
to the extreme in magnanimity to avoid the
horrors of war.
A BRILLIANT SPEECH.
Mr.. Lewis a Democrat from washington,
provoked the speech Of Mr. Johnson, which
aroused the members and the galleries to
the fever pitch of excitement. Mr.. Lewis
had denounced the proposition that Cuba
purchase her freedom from Spain, which, it
was alleged, the administration was foster
ing. Then 1t was that Mr.. Johnson, in a
brilliant speech, pleaded for peace. He faced
the storm of Kisses which swept down upon
him from the galleries like Spartan, and,
with passionate utterance, adjured MEM
bers to pause before they plunged the coun-
try into war, the evils of which would fol-
low after in endless train. The House has
had before illustrations of Mr.. Johnsons
fearlessness but none so striking as to-
day, when ne espoused the unpopular cause
and pleaded to let diplomacy have it's way
At the same time he gave it as his opinion
that if an uitimatum had been sent to Spain
1t meant war, as Spains pride would not
permit her to humiliate herself before the
world. He eulogized every influence that
made for peace, and declared his belief that
the Cuban Juhto would agree to pay $780,
OOc 600 for the independence of the island.
Mr. Bailey, the Democratic leader was
quick to seize the advantage which Mr..
Johnson's position had afforded, and in a
ringing speech which set his followers and
the galleries wild he announced his belief.
from what Mr.. johnson had said, that the
purpose of the Republicans I'm refusing to
join with the Democrats yesterday was to
give the administration an opportunity to
compel the Cuban patriots to buy the i'm
dependence they had won from the butchers
of Spain. He said he, too, deplored war,
and In describing its awful horrors as the
Southern people had known them drew
tears from the eyes of sone of his coll
leagues He declared there was yet chance
to avert war. He had been told within
twenty-four hours by a representative of
the Cuban Junto that they did not want to
involve the United States in war All they
wanted was to have their independence
recognized. With the munitions of war and
the recruits they could then obtain their
independence could be achieved. In conclu-
sion he said the Democrats were for free
Cuba without war If possible, with war II
necessary.
THE CLIMAX OF THE DAY.
The speech of Mr.. Bailey drew the fire
of the administration spokesman on the
floor. General GrosYenor. With his reply
the climax of the day was reached. He
charged Mr.. Bailey with attempting to
make political capital He denounced the
statements that The administration intended
to force Cuba to buy her freedom as the
silly invention Of an idiot and declared
that from the President dowr this admin
istration was for free Cuba. Recognition Of
her independence. he said, would be but
halfway measure lie thrilled his auditors
when ns asked what meant The war prep