Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1898-12-10
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

1AlEeSs
Notwithstanding the added burdens
rendered necessary by the war our peo-
pie rejoice in a very satisfactory and
steadily Increasing degree Of prosperity
evidenced by. the largest volume Of bus
ness ever recorded. Manufacture has
BEEN productive agricultural pursEits
have yield q abundant returns. lcs7r ~
all fields or industry is better rewarded
revenue LEGISLATION passed by the pres
ent congress has increased the treasu-
RVS receipts to the amount estimated
by it's authors. the finances Of the Gov-
eminent have been successfully admin
isterea and it's credit advanced to the
first rank. while its currency has been
maintained at the worlds highest stand
ard. Military service under a common
flag and for righteous cause has
strengthened the national spirit and
served to cement more closely than
ever the fraterEal bonds between every
section of the country.
A review of the relation of the United
States to other powers. always appro-
pirate, is this year of prim&ry impor-
lance in view of the momentous issues
which have arisen. demanding in one
instance the ultimate determination by
arms and involving farreaching conse-
quences, which will require the earnest
attention of the congress.
In my last annual message very fun
consideration was given to the ques-
ton of the duty of the government of
the United States toward Spain and the
Cuban instruction as being by far the
most important problem with which We
have been called upon to deal. The con-
siderations then advanced and the ex-
position of the views therein expressed
disclosed my sense of the extreme gray
ity of the situation.
Spain's Due.
Setting aside as logically unfoUnded
or practically inadmissible the recog-
milton of the Cuban insurgents as bell
ligerents, the recognition of the indie
pendence of Cuba, neutral intervention
to end the war by imposing rational
compromise between the contestants,
intervention in favor of one or the
other party and forcible annexation
of the island, / concluded 1T vas
honestly due to our friendly relations
with Spain that she should be given a
reasonable chance to realize her eEpec-
tations of reform, to which she had be-
come iTrevocably committed. Within a
few weeks previously she had an
nounced comprehensive plans which it
was confidently asserted would be effica-
cious TO remedy the evils so deeply af-
fecting our own country, so injurious to
the true interests of the mother coun-
try as well as to those of cuba, and so
repugnant to the universal sentiment
of humanity.
The ensuing month brought TITLE sign
of real progress toward the pacffication
of Cuba. The autonomous administra-
ton set up in the capital and some %
the principal cities appeared not to gain
the favor of the inhabitants nor to be
able no extend their influence to the
large extent of territory held by the in
surgeTts, while the military arm. OBJ
viously unable to cope with the still
active rebellion, continued marry OF the
most Objectionable and offensive poll
cies Of the government that had proceed
ed IT. The war continued on the old
footing without comprehensive plan,
developing only the same spasmodic en-
counters, barren of strategic result,
that had marked the course OF The ear
lier ten years rebellion as wen as the
present Instruction from its start. No
alternative save physical exhaustion Of
either combatant and therewfthal the
practical ruin of the island lay in sight.
but how far distant no enc could ven
ture to conjecture.
The Maine's Destruction.
At this iuncture, on the 18th of Febru-
airy last. occurred the destruction OF the
battleship Maine while rightfully lying
in the harbor of Havana on a mission
} of international courtesy and good will
"a catastrophe the suspicious nature
and horror Of which stirred the nations
heart profoundly. Yet the instinct Of
Justice prevailed. and the nation anx-
4 iously awaited the result Of the searcl
ing investigation at once set on foot
The finding of the naval board of in
quiry established that the origin of the
explosion was external. by a submarine
mine, ana only halted through lack OF
positive testimony to fix the RESPONSE
.lbility of its authorship.
All these things carried conviction to
the most thoughtful. even before the
finding OF the naval court, that a crisis
IN cur relations with Spain and toward
Cuba was at hand. So strong was this
bel eff that IT needed but a brief exec
utive suggestion to the congress to re-
f celFe immaculate answer TO the duty or
making instant provision for the pOssi-
BILE and perhaps probable emergency Of
twar, and the remarkable. almost unique,
; spectacle was presented of a unanimous
vote Of both houses on the 9th OF March
appropriating S5OOOO,OOO 'for the ma
tional defense and for each and every
purpose connected Herewith, to be ex-
pended at the discretion of the presi-
dent"
That this act OF provision came none
too soon was disclosed when the appl-
cation Of the fund was undertaken.
Our coasts were practically undefend-
ed. Our navy needed large provision
'or Increased ammunition and supplies
md even numbers so cope with any
eudden attack from the navy of Spain.
which comprised modern vessels of the
highest typ of continental perfection.
3ur army also required enlargement OF
nen and munitions. The details OF the
hurried preparation for the dreaded
contingency are told in The reports of the
i ecretaries OF war and OF the navy and
4 iced not be repeated here. 1t is sufa-