The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-04-01
ONE VOICE FOR PEACE
1t is That of Lonesome Mr..
Johnson of Indiana.
CUBA MUST BE REDEEMED
But War is Not NeedfuI,
He Says.
CUBA MUST BE REDEEMED

Washington. March 31-For three hour
today the packed galleries and excite
members Of the house listened TO a pas
sionate outburt OF oratory on the Cuba,
question. during which the intensity 0
feeling was alternately manifested b.
cheers, jeers and Kisses. Time and agaiI
the excited throngs in the galleries wer
edmonished to be silent, and once at Ieas
1t seemed as If a motion would be mad.
to clear them. The three speeches whici
stirred the assemblage to its depths wer,
made by Mr.. Grosvenor of Ohio, who, i
was assumed, spoke for the administra
ton, and who practically pledged it t.
the cause Of free Cuba; Mr. Bailey on
Texas, the Democratic leader. who an.
nounced the Democratic position as fol-
free Cuba, without war if it could be
avoided; and Mr.. Johnson Of Indiana
who spoke for peace, declaring that il
was our duty to go to the extreme in
magnanimity in order to avoid the hor-
rors of war Mr.. Lewis, a Democrat
from Washington, provoked the speech
of Mr.. Johnson, which aroused the men,
bers and the galleries to the fever pitch
of excitement, Mr.. Lewis had denounced
the proposition that Cuba purchase her
freedom from Spain, which. it was al
legged, the administration was fostering.
Then it was that Mr.. johnson, in a brill
liant speech, pleaded for peace. He faced
the storm Of Kisses which swept down
upon him from the galleries, like Spar
tan, and with passionate utterance adj
1ured members to pause before they
plunged the country into war, the evils
of which would follow after in endless
train. The house has had before illustra-
tons of Mr.. Johnson's fearlessness. but
none so striking as today, when he es-
poused the unpopular cause and pleaded
TO let diplomacy have it's way.
MR.. LEWIS BEGINS IT.
The debate was precIpitated when Mr.
Lewis CDem., Wash.l denounced the al
legged agreement which rumor said the
administration was considering to ac-
cept a money naturalization from Spain
for the murdered sailors of the Maine.
MR.. JOHNSON IS KISSED.
His remarks drew from Mr.. johnson
fRep., Ind an indignant protest against
the cries for war which he heard all
about him. In one point OF his speech
the storm Of Kisses from the galleries was
so great that the chair was obliged to
warn the spectators against demonstra-
tons.
Mr.. johnson made some humorous re-
marks about Mr.. Lewis, saying sarcastic
ally that if he was set loose in Cuba the
Spaniards would depart. Turning to the
more serious part of the question, he
said:
Now, in all seriousness, in discussing
this cry Of war. that we have heard on
that side of the chamber do gentlemen
stop and reflect moment upon what it
means II we should enter upon hostilities |
"If the ot-headedness of men in public |
life should not force the president to
put Spain in an en1ba position |
which her proud spirit will not permit |
her to accede to; If the public men in |
congress would simply restrain their zeal |
and keep their hands off the president, |
he would be able to accomplish in a very /
short space of time, by the arts of diplo- |
macy, the independence of Cuba We |
hear that the Cuban junta in New York .
say that they are willing to raise and |
can raise a hundred million dollars in or
der to purchase their independence. Now,
you see we have brought those two an
forces together by the sue
cess of judgment, of diplomacy and exalt-
ed patriotism of the statesman in the !
White House (AppIause). and I believe If
we will give him fair opportunity to
larry out his purposes he will bring US
to a Triumphant conclusion without
shedding 4 ounce of American blood"
Great appiauSe).
SHACRLED BY THE SPEAKER.
Mr.. Lewis replied to Mr.. Johnson in a
lumOr strain for a time in which he
,reateC a great deal Of merriment. accus-
d Mr. Johnson of being muzzled by the
peak-c and afraid to shake off his shack
es. ailing when the speaker looked at
lin
NJ. Lewis closed by saying:
II do not know, Mr. Chairman, whether
he president OF the United States has ]
selected the gentleman as his Fidus
Achates, as his good friend and defender |
n this floor; but certainly II such is the
act. then as a humble adviser of the
resident I would suggest that he join 5
n the prayer of Caesar to be delivered
rom his friends. II II should come to
ass that the president should receive.
: some people in certain quarters hope.
nd others fear. his political death. then
hose who may write his obituary, II the
entleman from Indiana continues in the
curse he has been pursuing, may con-
ant themselves with the elegy "Too
luch Johnson" loud continued laugh :
n and applause).
PHE UNPOPULAR SIDE. .
Mr.. johnson rose as soon as Mr.. Lewis 7
ook his seat and made a speech which. =
lille it met much disapproval from the d
alleries, was listened TO intently. h
L have realized from the start" he n
aid, that the danger to the country $
as the hot-headedness Of those men (
no never stop TO reflect into what they q
ould precipitate the country. NV voice p
as been. and stu is for peace. Whether r
be proper or not I do not stop 70 care. v
am opposed to war-war with its dew q
stating consequences, war which in Il
Dives a vast expenditure of public d
oney. which involves burdens OF taxa G