Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1898-04-07

Washington, April l. - For three
hours the packed galleries and excited
members Of the house listened to Il
passionate outbust of oratory on the
Cuban question, during which the in
tensity Of feeling was alternately man.
ifestcd by cheers, jeers and Kisses.
The three speeches which stirred the
assemblage to its depths were made
by Mr.. Grosvenor of Ohio, who, it was
assumed, spoke for the administration,
and who practically pledged it to the
cause of free Cuba; Mr.. Bailey Of Tex
as, the Democratic leader, who an
nounced the Democratic position as for
free Cuba, without war if it could be
avoided, but with war If necessary,
and Mr.. johnson Of Indiana, who
spoke for peace, declaring that it was
our duty to go to the extreme in mag
nanimity in order to avoid the horrors
of war. MI. Lewis Democrat from
Washington, provoked ;he 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 alleged. the administra-
ton was fostering. Then it was that
Mr.. johnson, in a brilliant speech,
pleaded for peace. He faced the storm
CT Kisses which swept down upon him
from the galleries, like Spartan, and
with passionate utterances adjurcd
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 illustrations Of Mr.. Johnson's
fearlessness, but none so striking as
this, when he espoused the unpopular
cause and pleaded to let diplomacy
have it's way. At the same time he
gave it as his opinion that if an ulli-.
matum had been sent to Spain it
meant war, az Spain's pride would not
permit her to humiliate herself before
the world. He eulogized every influ-.
ence that made for peace and declared
his belief that the Cuban junta would
agree to pay $1OO,OOO,OOO for the in
dependence Of the island. Mr.. Bailey,
the Democratic leader, was quick to
seize the advantage which Mr.. john
sons position had afforded, and in q
ringing speech which set his followers
and the galleries wild, he announced
his belief, from what Mr.. johnson had
said, that the purpose of the Repub-
licans in refusing to jc:l with the
Democrats was to give to fadministra-
ton an opportunity to compel the Gu
ban patriots to buy the Independence
they had won from the butchers Of
Spain. He said he, too, deplored war,
and in describing it's awful horrors as
Southern people had known them,
drew tears from the eyes Of some OF
his colleagues. He declared there was
yet
Chance to Avert War.
In conclusion he said the Democrats
We're for free Cuba, without war if
possible, with war if necessary. This
speech of Mr.. Bailey's drew the fire
of the administration spokesman on
the floor, Gen. Grosvenor of Ohio.
With his reply the climax of the day
was reached. He charged Mr.. Bailey
with attempting to make political capt.
tai. He denounced the statements
that the administration intended to
force Cuba to buy her freedom as the
silly invention Of an idiot, and declared
that from the president down this adj
ministration was for free Cuba. Rec
ognition of her independence, he said,
would be a halfway measure. He
thrilled his auditors when he asked
what meant the war preparations
that We're going on night and day If
not that when action was taken look
ing to the independence of Cuba it
would be backed up, if necessary, by
the army and navy Of the United
States.
After Mr.. Grosvenor concluded the
debate went on, the most significant
utterance being made by Mr.. Cum
mings, n New York Democrat, who de-
nounced the political character which
the question was assuming as I'M
patriotic and unwice. Messrs. Grow,
Griggs, Norton and Skinner also spoke.
Little progress was made with the
naval bill. The only important amend
ment adopted was one appropriating
100000 for the erection of new build
ings at the naval academy.
IN THE SENATE.
Cr1, nn1 tn