The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-04-12


dents message is disclossd In the fcilow-
Ing paragraph near the close of the docu-
ment;
"In view of these considerations,
power the PRESIDENT to take measures to
secure full and final termination OF
h0stiiities between the government OF
Spain and the people OF Cuba. and To
ssours In the island the establishment
of . stable government capable OF main
tatning order and observing its inter
national obliaations. iDsurina ,peace anu
tranquility and the security Of its citizens
a1 Well rs our own, and to use the mifi-
tary end naval forces or the United states
a. may be necessary for these purposes.
In word, the President asks Of Con-
gress authority first to put a stop to the
disgrace and the horrors of the Cuban
war-by peaceful means n possible by
armed Intervention II necessary and,
second. to secure the establishment OF
stable government in the Island.
There can be no differences of opinion
on this proposition that the Cuban busi'
ness must stop, In the interests of the
oommeroe and trade of the United States
and In the interests of humanity the
latter being foremost and Imperative.
though the former, as the President indi-
Gates, would te quite sufficient to
prompt self-rsspsctina nation to order
the nuisuuce abated.
What precedes this plain, proposition
ought to be read by every eitizsn. We
have been getting good deal Of slush
anc sush confusina the facts or the Cuban
question sprinkled through. but the Pres
ident In his message gives us the facts
only, unobscured and clean cut The
message ought to be read by every one
who prstends to keep "up' in the Cuban
question and, since the disaster to the
Mniue. that means about all of US.
What the President otherwise accom-
rlishes by the message is to rsview the
points Of difference that have been dis
cussed for long time In Congress and
by the psople-dou btlsss. too in his own
cabinet. Congress has never been agreed
and is not now agreed as to the msshod
of procedure that would best ensure the
prompt disposition of the Cuban ques-
tion. Even the nrst step to be taken Is
not matter Of unanimous conviction.
Should We recognize the belligerenoy of
the Cubanss should we recognize their
assumed independenceS should we declare
war out OF hand on the basis OF the Maine
disastsri Should there be armed inter-
vention to abase the nuisance, relieve the
distress, and rs-estab ablish our own inter-
rupted commercial pursuitsP With all the
telling Of indignation toward Spain and
the sentiment Of patriotism in Congress
and among tho people no one would pre-
tend to say that resolution expressing
either of these propositions would rnd
anything like unanimous support in Con
gress or In the country. even II q major
ity OF Congress could be secured for any
of them.
But on one Of the prime issues, that the
business must bs settled and settled
quickly, there il no difference of opinion
and reoosnizing this the President offers
to assume the task. pIedsiug himself to
its fulnllment. The authority to proceed
Is asked of Congress.
1t is bold and courageous proposition
that President Mckinley thus offers. II
Congress accepts It, IL means that the
President must be held responsible for
what follows. To voluntarily offer to
assume such rssponsibililty and stand or
fall by the issue thus accepted before
his countrymen and the world Is heroic
in statesmanship. william Mckinley is
no plunger. On the contrary, we take
1t the proposition be makes is offered as
. religious duty q most sacred trust to
the performance Of which he is moved 10
pledge himself by reason of the strong
evidence that has come to him that the
people of this country above every other
public man, look TO him with unbonded
confidence to 30 guide the ship of
State that history will endorse the record
we are making in days the most critical
since the OWL conflict created an united
American nation.