Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-12-13
THE MASSAGE.
To The s.nase and House OF Rspresenta-

To the ssnate and House Of Representa-
tives:
Notwithstanding the added burdens
rendered necessary by the war. our peo-
Die rejoieo In q very satisfactory and
steadily increasing degree Of prosperity,
evidenced by the largest volume OF bus,-
neas ever recorded. Manufacture has
been productive. Agricultural pursuits
have yielded abundant returns. labor IN
all fields Of industry v better rewarded.
revenue legislation paased by the present
congress has increased the treasury
receipts to the amount estimated by liz
authors: the finances OF the government
have been successfully administered and
its credit advanced to the hrst rank.
while Its currency has been maintained
at the worlds highest standard. Mill
tary service under common nag ana TOT
q 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. :.
In my last annual message. very full
considerable was given to the question
of the duty OF the government OF the
United States toward Spain and the Gu
ban insurrection as being by far the most
important. problem with which we nave
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. ms logically
unfounded or practically inadmissab!e.
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 IL was honestly due to our friend
ly relations with Spain that she should
be given reasonable chance TO realize
her expectations OF reform 10 which she
had become irrevocably committed.
Within few weeks previously she had
announced comprehensive plans which II
was confidently asserted would be efiica-
cious to remedy the evils so deeply NJ
fecting our own country. so Injurious To
the true interests Of the mother country
as well IA To those of Cuba. and so re-
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 10 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 H. No tangible relief
was afforded the vast numbers OF un-
AnGvtsa IN
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
iiiusory; 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 n
strange region among unsympathetic
strangers hardly less necessitous than
themselves.
Ry the end 81 December the mortality
among them had frightfully increased.
The war continued on the old footing
without comprehensive plan. developing
only the same spasmodic encounters.
barren OF strategic result. that had
marked the course Of the earlier 10
years rebellion rs well as the present In
surrec,ion from It's 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.
Al this Juncture. on Feb Is last. oc-
CURED the destruction 81 the battleship
Maine. while rightfully lying In the har
Dor OF Havana on mission OF interna-
tional courtesy and good VILLA catas-
trophe the suspicious nature and horror
OF which stirred the nations heart pro-
foundry. II Is a 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-
ceding events in Cuba. did not move them
10 an instant desperate resolve TO tolerate
no longer the existence OF n condition OF
danger and disorder at our doors that
made possible such deed. by whumso-
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 az inquiry
established that the origin OF the ex-
plosion was external by submarine
mine. and only halted. through lack OF
positive testimony. 10 fix the RESPONSE
bility Of It's authorship.
All these things carried conviction Ia
the most thoughtful. even before the
finding Of the naval court, that n crisis
In our relations with Spain and toward
Cuba was at hand So strong was this
belief that IL needed but brief executive
suggestion 10 the congress to receive i'm
mediate answer 10 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 unanimous
vote OF both houses on March ap-
propriating 5s0o0.0 900 for the national
defense and for each and every purpose
connected Herewith. 10 be expended at
the discretion OF the president"
That this act OF provision came none
too soon wac disclosed when the applica-
ton OF the fund was undertaken. Our
coasts were practically undefended. our
navy needed large provision for increased
ammunition and supplies and even num-
bers 10 cope with any sudden attack
from the navy OF Spain which comprised
modern vessels OF the highest type OF con.
tinental perfection. Our army also re-
quired enlargement OF men and NUM-
lions. The details Of the hurried prep
arat!on for the dreaded contingency are
told in the reports Of the secretaries OF
war and of the navy and need not be re-
peated here. II IL sufficient To say that
the outbreak OF war, when Il did come.
found our nation not unprepared TO meet
the conflict.
Grieyed and disa pointed at this barren
outcome OF my sincere endeavors 10
reach practicable solution. | felt II my
DUTY to remit the whole question TO con
gress. In the message of April II. 1895
I announced that with this last overture
In the direction Of immediate peace In
Cuba and It's disappointing reception by
Spain, the effort OF the executive was
brought to an end. Iagain reviewed the
alternative course OF action which had
been proposed. concluding that the only
one consonant with international policy
and compatible with our firm-set his
toricai traditions, was Intervention as a
neutral to stop the war and check the
hopeless sacrifice Of life. even though
that resort involved hostile constraint
upon both the parties To the contest, as
well to enforce a truce as to guide the
eventual settlement"
In view OF all this the congress was
asked 10 authorize and empower the
president to take measures To secure a
full and final termination OF hostilitles
between Spain and the people OF Cuba
and TO secure In the island the establish
ment of a stable government. capable
of maintaining order and observing Its
international obligations insuring neacs
and tranquility. and TIE security OF IL
citizens as well as our own. and for the
accomplishment Of those ends to use the
military and naval forces of the United
States as might be necessary. with ADDED
authority TO continue generous relief TO
the starving people Of Cuba.
The response Of the congress. after nine
days Of earnest elaboration. on April Il?
by vote of ~ to IS In the senate, and 81
to in the house Of representatives.
passed the memorable Joint resolution.
This resolution was approved by the
executive on the next day, April 20. A