The herald., 1898-04-23
LOOKING BACKWARD

In the course of debate, on Wednesday
last Senator Foraker stated-upon in
formation which he declared to be au-
thentic, although not off1cial-that the
president within a very few days, would
declare the independence Of the provis-
ional government Of the Cuban insur-
gents. The orator is a Republican sem
ator, from the presidents own state. AT
that very hour Mr.. Mckinley was clos
eted with Senior Palma, representative
of the Cubans in this country, and "a
brigadier-general of the Cuban army"
He met those persons in their official ca
pacity, and the meeting is said to have
been at his own invitation. Therein he
practically recognized the government
of the republic of Cuba.
Upon the question of the wisdom oi
recognizing that government congress
had been divided for week-Democrats
Silver Republicans and Populists insist
ing upon immediate recognition. the Re-
publican majority opposing. The COM
promise agreed upon, as every fair per-
SOIl uOW COuCSNcS, Wos q SucotoiiSiai Wv
tory for the opponents of the administra-
ton, mainly Democrats, in that it de-
clares the Cuban people free and inde-
pendent and pledges the United States
to evacuate the island after its pacifica-
ton and leave it to be governed by its
own people. That was the only point
upon which there was a division in ethe,
house-the only point upon which loyal
Democrats and loyal Republicans failed
at first to agree.
The position of Democrats in house and
senate has been consistent throughout
1t has been in line with the declaration OF
the Chicago convention. 1t has also beer
in line with the declaration of the con-
vention that nominated Mr. Mckinley
The platforms of all parties on the Cuban
question formed the basis of the policy
of the Democratic minority in congress
from first to last And to it, with but
a single exception (Caffery), that minor
ity has steadfastly adhered through all
the stages of congressional debate. Sc
closely in touch with American public
sentiment has been this pa atriotic minor
ity that at one time it had almost Won
over sufficient number Of the. admins
tration party to give it control of a house
overwhelmingly Republican in its COM
position. But twenty-four Republican
votes were deemed sufficient to pass
through the house a resolution declaring
l., -
ment, and if a vote could have been had
at that time the administra ton policy
would have been defeated by the voice
of its own political adherents, for at a
conference of RepubTcans-Republ
willing to participate in a conference"
but not in caucus, lest a caucus should
bind them to policy which they loathed
-sixty-five agreed to join the minority
and to vote for independence and against
their president, should it be found that
the result could be reached in no other
way. That they failed to keep their
pledge when the crucial test came does
not argue against the wisdom, nor yet
the patriotism. Of the proposed action of
but only proves the potency Of the Re-
publican whip and justifies the jocular
characterization Of Speaker Reed in de-
nouncing a policy Of sixteen wobbles
to one positive action"
From first to last Democrats, Silver
Republicans and Populists, while dis
agreeing with the administration upon
the question of an independence declara-
tion, have been steadfast in support OF
every measure looking to the strength
ening of that administration and the
holding up of its hands in the trying or
deal to which it has been subjected and
through which it must pass. Ready
cheerful and patriotic acquiescence in
EVERY measure introduced by the ma