The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-03-25

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WASHINGTON. March sl..-A scene
dramatic In the intensity OF It's interest
was presented In the senate to-day dur
Ing the delivery by Mr.. Thuraton. o;
Nebraska, OF a speech on the Cuban
situation. ~ !, 4 4. 4. =. Z. ,l5., n
Not since the Inauguration OF Presi-
dent Mckinley have SO many people
been on the senate side OF the capitol
az were there to-day. The galleries
were packed with people. many OF
whom had arrived at the capitol as
early as 800 a, m. In order 70 obtain
seats, Even the diplomatic gallery.
which Is rarely occupied, was filed,
among those in &: being senor, Men
donca, the Brazilian minister, and par
ty; ;ex-secretary of State John w Fos-
ter and Mrs, Foster. and many ladies
and gentlemen from the various foreign
legations. \
Within q few minutes after the SEN
ate convened, every senator who could
be present was in his chair, and by the
time Mr. Thurston had begun his
speech dozens OF members OF the
house were either standing in the area
without the SEMI circle OF seats.
A jar ofiroses had been placed on Mr..
Thurston's desk, but he spoke from
that of Mr.. Hawlev, In the central part
OF the chamber.
His, first sentence. in which he said
he spoke by; command OF silent lips-a
delicate and touching reference to the
loss OF his wife on his memorable trip to
Cuba---commanded instant attention.
A hush fell over the great audience,
which hung with almost breathless at
tention and interest upon every word.
Some surprise has been expressed
that Senator Thurston should appear
In public prominently go soon after the
demise OF Mrs. Thurston, but the first
sentence Of his speech furnishes the
key TO his action. It Is true that Mr..
Thurston's speech to-day, viewed from
one standpoint, was an unusual pro-
ceeding. but It was justified by the
conditions attending 1t.
Mrs. EThurston'a dying request 10 her
husband was that he should lose no
time on account OF her death to- do his
utmost TO save and free Cuba and It's
people. In accordance with this re-
quest. therefore, Senator Thurston sac
riaced his personal feeling and dcliv-
cred his speech-a speech. that was his
tribute to the memory OF u his wife.
Without knowing the motive which
animated Mr.. Thurston, and inspired
him to his best efforts, his auditors
instinctively realized and thoroughly
eympathized with his evident emotion
The speech was very generally re-
garded AZ mastery effort. and even
those who could not agree with his con-
clusions conceded the power OF his ora.
tion. AS he neared the end OF the
speech his voice, which had been clesS
and ringing. noticeably broke. He
was almost overcome with emotion, but
rallied with an effort, and closed in q
manner that thrilled his auditors.
Staid and dignifed senator's turned
away and wept, and in the galleries 1
tears welled to hundreds OF eyes It
was remarkable scene. and the still
ness until the last word had been pro-
nounced was us Of death itself.
As Mr.. Thurston sank into his seat
and buried his face In his hands, the
galleries were swept by such tumult
OF applause as has not In long time
been heard in the senate chamber.
aAss a brother might have done, Ir.
Allen, Mr.. Thurston's colleague from
Nebraska, walked to him, and placing
his arm over his shoulders. quietly led 4
him from the chamber. The act was
one OF the spontaneous and touching
amenities amid the turbulence and dis
cord OF political life.
After recountlng the horrible scenes
OF misery he had witnessed in Cuba,
Mr.. Thurston recounted the steps which
the President has taken upon the Gu
ban question during the past year, and
pronounced his course wise, statesmau-
like and In accordance with the, diplo-
matte usages OF the world It was the
plain duty OF the President OF the Unit
ed States to give TO the liberal minis
try OF Spain reasonable time In
which to test Its proposed autonomy.
That time has been given. Autonomy
is conceded the wide world over to be a
conspicuous failure. The situation In
Cuba has only changed for the worse
Sagasta Is powerless. Blanco Is power
less to put an end TO the conflict, to re-
,habllitate the island, or to relieve the
suffering. starvation and distress.
ss."The time for action has then come,
No greater reason for It can exist to-
morrow than exists to-day. Every
hours delay only adds another chapter
to the awful story OF misery and
death. Only one power can intervene
the United States OF America.
1T was her glorious example which
inspired the Cubans OF Cuba to raise
the flag Of liberty In her eternal hills.
I cannot refuse 10 accept this rcspon-
sibllity which the God Of the Universe
has placed upon US rs tho one great
power in thu new world What shall
OUT action be? isst t!5isi; 4; Il sS2,5.! +,
Mr.. Thurston briefly: adverted to the
proposition OF of5rccognlzlng the belllger-
Iency or the independence OF the Gu
bans. only to say that II was too late
Tor either. AS to annexation, he said:
.'Gor forbid! / would oppose annexation
with my Inst breath. The people OF
Cuba are not our people, * they cannot
easily asslmilatc with us; and beyond
ull that / am utterly and unalterably
opposed to- any departure 8 from tho
declared policy OF the fathers, which
Would start this republic for the first
time upon a career OF conquest and do
minlon,@" % }fsass
Mr. Thurston paid a high tribute TO
the government for the work It has ,ac.
compllshed In preparing for any cmer-
gency. and speaking OF Congress-, said: !:
L. "We, are not In session to hamper or
cripple the President: we are here to
5ndvlsct and assist him. Congress can
alone levy taxes: and to this Congress,
tho unnted people Of this broad land,
from sea TO sea, from lake to gulf,
tnt1aT all, :, u n