The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1898-04-15
THAT MESSAGE.
The President Sent IT To Con-
gress Monday.

-hOhh"N Fauu ~ liIoNeu ETeatcF uis-
appointment than the several de-
lays IS TO Its transmission.
The story about tho Queen r.
gent OF Spain having taken mat
tiers out OF the hands OF her Cabl.
net Ministers proved untrue. At
the solicitation OF the Pope, Spain
granted an srmistice in Cuba for
the pretended purpose Of treating
with Cubans for a satisfactory set
Element Of the war. The procIa-
nation was issued last Sunday, but
the insurgents refuse TO consider
any proposition except one Of alb
solute independence.
In his message the President re-
viewed at length his unsuccessful
negotiations with Spain for the pAc-
lacatiOn Of the island, and argued
against the recognition OF Cuban
Independence, dismissed the rec
ignition of belligerency as equally
unwise, and contended that In in
tervening at all the United States
should intervene as a neutral and
not as an ally Of either side.
Only two positive RECOMMENDED
tons are made. He asks
For authority to intervene to re-
store order, with power to use the
army and navy If necessary; and
For an appropriation to continue
the work Of relieving the victims
OF the Spanish recommendation pol
icy.
He justlfies intervention on four
grounds-in the name OF humanity,
for the protection OF American cit
liens, fo= the protection Of COM
merce, and because the war Is q
menace 10 our peace and imposes
an expense on our Government.
Characterizing the situation 10
Cuba rs 'intOlerable," he admits
that he has exhausted every ef-
fort to relieve it, and leaves the
matter in the hands OF Congress
asking authority ito take measures
to secure a full and dnal termina-
ton OF hostilities between the Gov
eminent Of Spain and the people
Of Cuba, and to secure in the island
the establishment Of a stable gov
ernmsnt," and TO use the army
and navy OF the United States II
necessary for these purposes.
Realizing the grave responsible
ty resting on the President, We
have no disposition TO unduly crit
icize him. Bat in order 10 give our
readers fair idea OF the reception
Of the message we quote some COM
msnts from papers which have
heretofore upheld the President.
The COurier-Journal says:
Washington, April ll.-The-e is
not a resOlute, imposing, clear,
ringing sentence 10 the entire mes
sage. Here and there tufts Of grass
are thrown at Spain, but nowhere
is q stone cast.
The President had . great oppor-
tunity to bring peace and inde-
pendence to Cuba and to make
himself famous, but he has thrown
il away. From a political stand
point the chances are that he has
ruined both himself and party.
The friends Of Cuban independence
in Congress will oppose the adop-
ton OF any resolution that will
give to the President the power to
intervene with force o. arms at his
discretion. They do not believe
that he will intervene OF his own
accord unless he Is driven to 1t by
the repetition OF another Spanish
outrage. The sentiment here to-
night Is to defeat any resolutions
that do not instruct the President
to take immediate, determined &C
ton.
The President is sharply criti-
cised for quoting what Grant said
twenty-three years ago, and what
Cleveland said three years ago.
The expressions Of those gentle
men then in no wise cover the sit
uation today. Conditions have
changed as much so as the cur
rency question. Since then the
Spaniards have starved 10 death
200, 900 men, women and children,
and made living hell out of the
island
Gen. Lac says so and ne knows.
1t now turns out that the Presi-
dent did not make any suggestion,
much less untimatum TO Spain
looking to the independence Of Cubs
and all that he asked OF Spain she
has conceded and this IL where the
President had got himselfin a hole
and as he cannot very we'll pull
himself out Congress will have 10
extricate him from his EN- barrass-
ing position. The President Is "pos-
itively assured" by the Spanish
Minister OF Foreign affairs, shat
Spain will do all that the highest
honor and Justice require in the
matter OF the Maine" Rot.
The idea Of Spain exercising the
highest honor aud justice" in any
thing would belle its history for
three hundred years. Some coun-
tries mar have honor and justice
left, but Spain Is not among the
number. What does Spain pro-
pose to do or rather what could