St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-12-07
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
PEACE DUTIES OF OUR NATION.
Presidents Story Of the War.

rendered necessary by the WAL Jul Peo
pie rejoice in very satisfactory ana
steadily increasing degree OF prosperity
evidenced by the largest volume OF pusi-
ness ever recorded Manufacture has |
been productive, agricultural pursuits !
have yielded abundant returns, labor IN
all fields of Industry is better rewarded, |
revenue legislation passed by the present
congress has increased the treasurys
receipts to the amount estimated by Its
authors; the finances of the government
have been successfully administered ana
Its credit advanced to the first rank,
while its currency has been maintained
at the worlds highest standard. Mill
tary service under common nag ana tor
a righteous cause has strengthened the
national spirit and served to cement more
closely than ever the fraternal bonds be-
tween every section of the country.
4 A review of the relation Of the United
States to other powers, always appro-
pirate, is this year Of primary Importance
In view of the momentous issues which
have arisen, demanding In one instance
the ultimate determination by arms and
Involving far-reaching consequences
which will require the earnest altentioh
of the congress.
In nv last annual message, very full
consideration was given to the question
of the duty of the government OF the
United States toward Spain and the Gu
ban instruction as being by far the most
important problem with which we have
been called upon to deal. The considera-
lions then advanced and the exposition
of the views therein expressed. disclosed
my sense of the extreme gravity OF the
situation. Setting aside, as logically
unfounded or practically inadmissable,
the recognition of the independence of
Cuba, neutral intervention to end the
war by imposing a rational compromise
between the contestants. Intervention in
favor of one or the other party, and
forcible annexation of The island. con-
cluded it was honestly due to our friend
ly relations with Spain that she should
be given reasonable chance to realize
her expectations of reform to which she
had become irrevocably committed.
Within a few weeks previously she had
announced comprehensive plans which 1t
was confidently asserted would be efiica-
cious to remedy the evils so deeply af-
fecting our own country, so Injurious to
the true interests of the mother country
as we'll as to those of Cuba. and so re-
pugnant to the universal sentiment Of
humanity.
The ensuing month brought little sign
of real progress toward the pacification
of Cuba.
The autonomous administration set UP
in the capital and some of the principal
cities appeared not to gain the favor
of the inhabitants nor to be able to ex-
tend their influence to the largest extent
of territory held by the insurgents. while
the military arm. obviously unable to
cope with the still active rebellion. con-
tinued many of the most Objectionable
and offensive policies Of the government
that had preceded it. No tangible relief
was afforded the vast numbers of I'M
happy reconcentrados, despite the re-
iterated protestations made in that re-
gard and the amount appropriated by
Spain to that end. The preferred ex-
pedient of zones Of cultivation proved
illusory; indeed, no less practical nor
more delusive promises Of succor could
well have been rendered to the exhausted
and destitute people. stripped of all that
made life and home dear herded in
Strange region among unsympathetic
strangers hardly less necessitous than
themselves.
BY the end of December the mortality
among them had frightfully increased.
Conservative estimates from Spanish
sources placed the deaths among these
distressed people at over 40 percent
from the time General Weylers decree of
RECOMMENDATION was enforced. With
the acquiesence Of the Spanish authori-
ties scheme was adopted for relief by
charitable contributions raised in this
country and distributed. under the drec-
lions of the consul general and the sew
eral consuls, by noble and earnest in
dividual effort throughout the organized
agencies Of the American Red Cross.
Thousands of lives were thus saved, but
many thousands more were inaccessible
to such forms Of aid.
nba WOW continued ~, Tho ola footioo
without comprehensive plan, developing
only the same spasmodc encounters,
barren of strategic result, that had
marked the course of the earlier 10
years rebellion as we'll as the present in
Burrection from its start No alternative
save physical exhaustion of either COM
Blatant and Herewith the practical ruin
of the island, lay in sight. but how far
distant no one would venture to con-
lecture.
At this juncture, on Feb. Is last oc-
Cured the destruction of the batteship
Maine, while rightfully lying in the har-
Dor of Havana on mission of interna-
tlonal courtesy and good villa catas-
trophe the suspicious nature and horror
of which stirred the nations heart pro-
foundly. 1t Is striking evidence of the
poise and sturdy good sense distinguish
Ing our national character that this
shocking blow, falling upon a generous
people, already deeply touched by pre-
eeding events in Cuba did not move them
to an instant desperate resolve to tolerate
no longer the existence of condition of
danger and disorder at our doors that
made possible such a deed. by whomso-
ever wrought. Yet the instinct of Justice
prevailed and the nation anxiously
awaited the result of the searching in
vestigation at once set on foot The
finding of the naval board of inquiry
established that the origin of the ex-
plosion was external by a submarine
mine. and only halted, through lack of
positive testimony. to Ak the RESPONSE
bility Of its authorship.
All these things carried conviction to
the most thoughtful, even before the
Finding Of the naval court, that crisis
In our relations with Spain and iowa I'd
Cuba was at hand. So strong was this
belief that II needed but brief executive
suggestion to the congress to receive i'm
f1ediate answer to the duty of making
Instant provision for the possible and
perhaps, speedily probable emergency OF
war and the remarkable, almost unique
spectacle was presented of a unanimous
vote Of both houses on March an
proprIating $5O,000,000 "for the national
Gefense and for each and every purpose
connected Herewith, to be expended al
The discretion of the president"
That this act of provision came none
too soon was disclosed when the applica.
ton OF the fund was undertaken. ON
coasts were practically undefended. On
navy needed large provision for increased
ammunition and supplies and even mum.
bers to cope with any sudden attack
from the navy of Spain which comprised
modern vessels Of the highest type Of con
HnantQl narfanttnV n,,~