New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-19

there Is lack Of confidence in the personnel OF
Navy but know he cannot find honorable or
decent patriotic citizen who will stand UP be
fore the country and indorse for an instant the
ntterances which the Senator has made
Il do not underrate the Importance OF this branch
OF the Government. It's dignity and Its importance
and the openness Of it's discussion but what we
need now In my opinion. is decent and dignifed
reticence in the face OF the appalling calamity that
has fallen upon our people. There are times for
speaking and there times for silence and this
Is time when face the awful calamity that
mas overtaken US. wher we should restrain any ex-
preston OF opinion expressions Of our belief as
to the means by which thi. awful disaster was
brought about until in proper, regular and formal
way an investigation may he had which We all
know will he conducted with the utmost upright
ness and the utmost integrity.
AN APPEAL TO PATRIOTISM
Mr. President. / speak as one who sympathizes
deeply with the citizens OF that unfortunate island
now engaged in this terrible deplorable conflict.
/ yield 10 nobody In my desire to see the conclusion
OF that war. but do say II ever there mo-
ment when should abstain from outrageous
and gratuitous insult TO a friendly nation. that
time is to-day. II there time when
should lend help to every department OF the
Government. II should he to-day. II there
time when We should refrain from unjust and ig-
norant criticisms II is to-day. All. Mr.. President.
war may come. I think myself the day may he
not far distant. and when II will fight 1t
alone. for there will he other nation 20 lift
hand TO fight with When that day comes our
course must be eternay grounded In the right,
and until IL comes there is nothing belittles this
people. in my opinion. these unjust and out
rageous attacks upon a friendly government. An.
Mr.. President is grim and when IT comes it
must come that The people OF the world. whether
they fight with or not, can at least respect our
conduct and position and. above all. Mr.. Pres
ident. It must come under circumstances which
make respect ourselves.
Mr. LODGE DEFENDS THE NAVY.
Mr. wolcott was followed Immediately by Mr..
| Lodge who had also been uneasy under Mr.. Ma
sons reflections the Navy Department.
He spoke with Intense earnestness. saying: Mr..
President. I have no desire and no intention OF
saying word in regard TO the war that Is rag
Ing in Cuba. No one detest tho horrors enacted
| in that island more than /. No one desires more
than I 70 the Spanish power swept from that
island II has been from all the States OF South
America. But. Mr. President. that question Is not
here. We face TO face at this moment with a
great National calamity. The American people
have received the awful news Of the sinking Of the
warship Maine with a splendid silence and SELF
restraint both In Congress and throughout the
country. They waiting sternly quietly. TO know
the truth. and the truth they will have. This Is
not a question which involves Cuhans or Span
lards This is a question which involves brave
American seanen gone to their death in foreign
port.
In the presence OF that calamity what We want
IL the truth. How 70 get ~ BY the inves-
legations Of a committee OF Congress which knows
nothing which has witnesses 70 summon.
which has no expert knowledge which is miles
from the place where the disaster occurred? There
Is only way 70 get at the truth Of this matter
and that is through the naval officers who have
been selected already TO perform that duty. Can
any one suppose that the naval officers Of the
vrbo IN he -
and whose conduct in the present there IS not and
ma. never been a blemish. would seek 20 conceal
the facts IN such case as this7 ] would rather
trust this investigation TO the officers Of the
American Navy than 20 any other men in the coun-
try.
EULOGY OF CAPTAIN sIGsBEE.
Does any one suppose that the captain Of that
ship who wounded. stunned by the explosion. re-
NAMED the last upon the sinking vessel and who.
In the midst of all that awful terror and excite
ment with every duty nobly done. sent a dispatch
70 this country showing a cooness and nerve
which are an honor the American name-does
any one suppose that Captain Sicsbee. capable OF
such splendid conduct is going TO lie about his
ship7 The Secretary OF the Navy is man OF dis
,,nguished ability OF honor and patriotism. II any
one inlagines that Secretary Long Will not tell the
truth and insist upon the whole Of It. he little
knows the character Of the man who has the honor
20 I'll that great post head of the Navy. and
FOR one trust that Congress will await the action
NJ tho n-oper Department charged with this In
ouirv and will not attempt 10 DO anything which
could IN the least degree derogate from the attl-
tude which the American people and congress
should hold In the presence OF calamity 50 dire
and so tragic As that which befoll the battleship
Maine I think those who know the Hon. Theodore
Roosevelt who Is Mr.. Longs right hand. would be
slow 70 believe that he would seek 70 conceal the
truth in regard this disaster
THE WHOLE TRUTH WANTED.
"Mr President. am sorry that any debate has
arisen on this question. II seems 70 me that the
attitude of Congress ever since that awful news
arrived has been in the highest degree digniied and
worthy worthy Of itself and worthy OF the Amer
can people. We have not shrieked or talked. We
have waited in silence Of much deeper meaning
than any words We want 70 know the truth. II
{, WAS an accident which destroyed the Maine. then
10, us provide 60 FAR as human foresight can.
against recurrence. n II was treachery tnen the
righteous wrath OF tho American people will take
signal vengeance for the treachery which sent that
shin 70 the bottom and let no think to stay IT,
NJ Mason did not speak at any length in making
his replv 'MisGuotation and general spasm will
not drive me from the discussion OF this question
IN the Senate" he began. He shared. he said IN
the general admiration Of the various departments
Of the executive branch Of the Government. and MT
Wolcott could not excel him in that respect Il
am only sorry" he said. that while the Colorado
Senator fs giving he such lecture about the Navy
Danar,men, he does not slop and give the
Treasury Department some Of his praise"
Mr. MASON's DENIAL.
fra .uIlv Endorsed nil that Mr. Lodge had said
obou. -he head OF the Navy. with whom ne had
ssr,.ed IN tho House and whom he knew 70 be
-r., ~ ability OF great head and warm heart But
NJ Long could not himself object 10 an investisa-
,lon and # was no part OF friendship to him to try
- shield him from such inquiry as vas pro-
nosea II h. himself were managing the Depart
ment. he would under the circumstances want me
,,,oe,,ea,ion He denied that his remarks con-
-. o,v collection on Mr. Longs integrity or
- or ,ha lntegrlfy honor Of he officers ~ tne