The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1898-04-16

island so near MS, and with which our peo-
pie have such trade and business relations;
when the lives and liberty Of our citizens
are in constant danger and their property
destroyed and themselves ruined; where our
trading vessels are liable to seizure, andNare
seized at our very door, by warship of
another nation, the expeditions of filabus-
tering that we are powerless to repress alto
gether, and the irritating Of citisens, and
the entanglements thus arise-all these and
others that need not mention, with the re-
sulting strained relations, are a constant
menace to our peace and compel us to keep
on a semi-war footing with nation with
we are at peace.
He speaks of the blowing up of
the Maine as follows:
Two hundred and ilty-eight brave sailors
and marines and two officers of our navy,
reposing in the fancied security of a friend.
ly harbor, have been hurled to death, grief
and want brought 10 their homes and sor-
/ row to the nation. The Naval Court Of In
quiry, which, it is needless to say, COM
mands the unqualified confidence of the
Government, was unanimous in its conclus-
ion that the destruction Of the Maine was
caused by an exterior exploson--that Of a
submarine mine. 1t did not assume to
place the responsibility. That remains 10
be fixed.
In any event, the destruction of the
Maine, by whatever exterior cause, it is
patent and Impressive proof of state of
things in Cuba that is intolerable. That
condition is thus shown to be such that the
Spanish Government cannot assure safety
and security to vessel of the American
navy in the harbor on a mission ssof peace
and rightfully there.
III speaking of the hopelessness
of the war, he says:
The long trial has proved that the object
for which Spain has waged the war cannot
be attained. The fire of Instruction may
flame or may shoulder with varying sea
sons, but it has not been, and it is plain
that it cannot be extinguished by present
methods. The only hope of relief and re
pose from condition which can no Longer
be endured is the enforced paciticaton o
Cuba. In the name of humanity, in the
: name of civilization, in behalf of endanger
) ed American interests which give us The
) right and the duty to speak and to act, tn,
war in Cuba must stop.
Conclusions of the President:
In view of the facts and of these consid
erations, / ask Congress TO authorize ant
empower the President 70 take measures tt
secure full and final termination of hostil
tiles between the government of Spain ant
the people Of Cuba and to secure in tn
island the establishment of a stable govern
ment capable of maintaining order ant
obeying its international obligations, insur
ing peace and tranquility and the securit
ofits citizens as well as our own, and 10 us
the military and naval forces of the Unite
) States as may be necessary for this purpose
I And in the interest of humanity and in al
, Of the starving people of the island, | re
Y commend that the distribution of food an
supplies be continued and that an apprc
priation be made out of the public taeasur
: to supplement the charity of our citizens.
!, The issue is nowwth Congress. It's
solemn responsibility. I have exhauste
q every effort to relieve the intolerable col
s dition of affairs which is at our door.
It Prepared to execute every obligation il
posed upon me by the constitution and tn
;. law. | await your action.