The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-03-25
SENATE IS MOVED TO TEARS
MR. I'll URSTON's HEART REAoHING
 SPEECH ON CUBA.

Request That He Should Lose No Time
 on Account of Her Death to Do His Ut-
 most to Save and Free Cuba-A Remark
 able scene-A Deathlike stilIness-The
 Speech.
 Washington, March 24.-A scene dra- matic in the intensity of it's interest was presented in the senate to-day during the delivery by MT. Thurston of a. speech on the Cuban question. Not since the inauguration of President Mckinley have so many persons been on the senate side of the capitol as there were to-day. The galleries were packed. Even the diplomatic gallery, which is rarely occupied, was filled, among those in it being Senor Mem donca, the Brazilian minister and par- ty, ex-Secretary of State John w. Foster and Mrs. Foster and many la-a dies and gentlemen in the various for eign legations. Within few minutes after the senate convened every sena- tor who could be present was in his seat and by the time MT. Thurston had begun his speech dozens of mem- bers of the house were either stand ing or occupying chairs in the area. without the semi-circle of seats. A jar of roses had been placed on MT. Thurs tons desk, but he spoke from that of MT. Hawley in the central part of the chamber
 His first sentence in which he said he spoke by command of silent lips was a delicate and touching reference to the loss of his wife on his memorable trip to Cuba and commanded instant attention. A hush fell over the great audience which hung with almost breathless attention and interest upon every word. Some surprise has been expressed that Senator ThurstOn should appear in public prominently as soon after the demise of Mrs. Thurston, but the first sentence of his speech furnished the key to his action. It is true that MT. Thurstons speech to-day, viewed from one Standpoint was an unusual proceeding, but it was justified by the condition attending it.. Mrs. Thurston's dying request to her husband was that he should lose no; time on account of her death to do his utmost to save and free Cuba and ita! people. In accordance with this re- quest therefore, Senator Thurston sac-l rificed his personal feelings and de- livered his speech-a speech that was his tribute to the memory of his wife
 Without knowing the motive which animated MT. Thurston and inspired him to his best efforts, his auditors in-E stinctively realized and thoroughly sympathized with his evident emotion. The speech was very generally regards ed as a masterly effort and even those who could not agree with his conclu- sions conceded the power of his ora-. ton. As he neared the end of his speech his voice which had been clear and ringing, noticeably broke. He was almost overcome by emotion, but ral- lied with an effort and closed in a man. ner that thrilled his auditors. Staid and digni1ed senators turned away and wept and in the galleries tears welled to hundreds of eyes. It was a remark able scene and the stiffness until the last word had been pronounced was as of death itself As Mr. Thurston sank into his seat and buried his face in his hands, the galleries were swept by such tumult of applause as has not in a long time been heard in the senate chamber. As d brother might have done, MT. Allen, MT. Thurston's col | league from Nebraska, walked to him and placing his arm over his shoulders, quietly led him from the chamber. The act was spontaneous ana touching amid the turbulence and discord of po- litical life.
 The Speech.
 MT. President" said MT. Thurston. T am here by command of silent lips to speak once and for all upon the Gu | ban situation. I trust that no one has l expected anything sensational from me. God forbid that the bitterness of 1 a personal loss should induce me to | color in the slightest degree the state- | ment that feel 1t my duty to make. shall endeavor to be honest, conserva- tive and just. have no purpose to stir the public passion in any action not necessary and imperative to meet the duties and necessities of American ] responsibility, Christian humanity and national honor. I would shirk this task if could, but I dare not. I cam not satisfy my conscience except by speaking, and speaking now"
 MT. Thurston said that he had gone | to Cuba firmly believing that the condi- l ton of affairs on the island had been | greatly exaggerated, and that he had | directed his efforts in the first instance to the exposure of the supposed exag- gerations. He had concluded, however, that an over-statement of the horrors of the situation was impossible. He was prepared. he stated, not only to adopt every word of the careful, con- else and specific statement of the sem ator from Vermont (Mr. Proctor), but he was even convinced that he had un- derstated the facts.
 | The Exact Situation.
 MT. Thurston then tersely summarize ed his observations and conclusions as | follows:
 After three years of warfare, and the use of 225,00O Spanish troops, Spain has lost control of every foot of Cuba not surrounded by an actual intrenchment and protected by a fortified picket line. | She holds possession with her army of the fortified seaboard towns, because they are under the virtual protection of Spanish warships, with which the | revolutionists cannot cope.
 The revolutionists are in absolute and almost peaceful possession of nearly
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