The Daily Texarkanian., 1898-03-09
CONGRESS TALKING.
The Public Defense Bill Passes
the House.
The STARS AND STRIPES TO FLOAT
MoRae and Terry and Many Of the
Southern Members Speak in Fa
vor Of the Appropriation.

vor Of the Appropriation.
Washington, March Sin the
house this afternoon during the
limited debate upon the passage of
the Dill appropriating fifty millions
for the national defense. Congress-
man T. C. McRae delivered a most
eloquent and effective speech. Mr.
McRae was in fine voice and his ring
ing and patriotic remarks were lis
tened to with closest attention by
the members and senators gathered
and by the crowded galleries. Mr..
McRae said:
"Mr. Speaker: This is an impor-
tant occasion-perhaps the most
important since the memorable one
that divided our people and put
them to fighting among themselves.
1t is an occasion when patriotism
should, and l dare say will, obscure
sectionalism and partisanship 1t
is an occasion when Americanism
should assert itself in behalf of
American honor. The pending bill
is an extraordinary measure and
grants and extraordinary power
and discretion to the chosen chief
executive of our government. 1t
can only be defended upon the
ground that he and others in re-
sponsible authority have asked for |
it und have said to congress that |
conditions of our diplomatic affairs |
demand it. The condition is peri |
Gus. Our duty is plain. We must |
trust him.
THE heroic valor a manly cour-
age of the revolutionry fathers
made it possible for this republic to
exist and for the cause of freedom
to be extended. 1t cost them much |
blood and treasure but the govern
ment is wor h all it cost. With the
protection and hope vouchsafed to |
American freemen by this govern
ment twice baptized IN blood, they
have cut pathway for humanity
and liberty throughout the world;
they have planted their banner or
barrier that twharted their prog
ress; they have covered the earth
with their monuments of glory and |
humanity and Christianity and have
found in them vaIorous champions.
"Mr. Speaker, the flag which |
floats over this house and the nag |
that so gracefully hangs over our
heads is the flag of the south as it is
of the north. We have no other
fag-we want no other flag 1t is
good enough for us, and has behind |
it power enough to protect every |
American citizen, and in this hour |
of impending war every man who |
claims to be an American and who |
would exalt American manhood |
should bury partisanships and by
his vote on this bill say that the
honor of his government and the
liberty and rights of our people |
shall be protected at all costs.
(Applause.)
At the close of Mr.. McRae's
speech, Chairman Cannon offered a
bill carrying $50, 900, 900 for nation
al defenses, and 100000 for coal
for our navy.
This bill met with spontaneous ap-
plause, and when a member who
was opposed to the bill, asked for
three hours debate on the same,
he was met with Kisses and cries of
vote, vote.
After this dramatic episode Mr..
Cannon took the floor and explain
ed that a crisis was at hand and the
country stood in need of this appro-
priation.
He was followed by Sayers of
Texas, Terry of Arkansas, Dockery
of Missouri, Livingston of Georgia,
Allen of Mississippi, all made pa
trlotic speeches which were ap-
plauded.
The bill was passed with only
three votes recorded against it.