New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-16

Gus Senators on the floor interposed. among them
Mr. Hoar who called attention 20 the fact that the
most fragrant violation Of the rule forblddns such
demonstrations had been encouraged by the eA-
ample OF Senators.
At this point Mr. MORGAN Dem, Ala) gave
notice that he would move 10 lay all amendments
the table.
SHOULD FOLLOW MKINLEY'S LEAD.
As Mr. sPOONER (Rcp.. wls) was recognized.
the scene IN the chamber was a notable one The
throng OF auditors both in the galleries and on
the aoor had greatly Increased. and among them
many OF National fame and prominence In
Guiding members o. the Supreme Court
Il sincerely lament this debate began NJ
Spooner. In low distinct tones. without unduly
critcisuls aaA OF my colleagues on the moor. Go
dcpreca;e the direction the debate has taken and
the rancor that has been manifested. agree with
tho Senator from Colorado mir. Wolco,D that We
are on the threshold o. war. and Il IL an ugly
prelude 20 the roar OF cannon and shrleks OF the
wounded that carps at the President and attacks
with suspicion and lnnuendo his policy. II "" are
TO 20 10 war. he Is to be leader. We should
rally round him and Uphold his hands rather than
seek to minimize his influence with the nations Of
the world We should rather say God bless you
in your ehotfs You iead-we will follow"
Mr. Spooner then made a brilliant and elaborate
defence OF the conduct OF the President throughout
the pending crisis and discussed at length his
preservation OF peace. II peace were possible.
lie has travelled his pathway alone" declared
Mr. spooner impressiyely. and he must do 80
lie has OF his old friends fall away
from MIN and has heard the tongue OF SANDER
but he has been applaudcd Tor his dignity nrmness
and discretion by thoughtful men Throughout, this
country and in every capital o, Europe except the
Spanish We owe much 10 him for that"
Referring TO the criticisms on the Presidents
message Mr.. Spooner said that In conducting a
case which might lead TO VA. tho President had
perforc. 10 he calm and passoni-ss. Foil ,wing the
Maine disaster the President could have sent mes
sage to Congress that would have plunged the coun-
try into war. but It his duty TO delay. even 10
procrastirate in order that tho country might first
be prepared 10 meet Mr.. Spooner said he
had been panied at some OF the comments made on
the message. II had been sad that the Army OF
the United States would be sent to Cuba to plant lis
flag on the grave OF Maceo and train Its guns on
Gomez This impossible. The President had
never done &C. uttered word that could be
tortured into any such meaning lie maintained
that it was the purpose OF this country to drive tho
Standards from Cuba but II af,crward Gomez
should be unable 10 guard the women and protect
the property OF the Island from his followers. II
would be not only the right but the duty OF the
United States to lay its hand on to prevent such
acts. II had been said that tho resolutions were
Illogical and inconsistent and he regretted that he
could no, give them his cordial Endorsement. lie
made this statement, ne f0lu, with tIIt
edge that the country was about TO go TO war. and
TO 20 TO war. too. 10 make Cuba free.
CUBA ULTIMATELY TO BE FREE.
Mr.. spooncr's statement that II Gomez and his
insurgents were free and Independent they would
have a nag brought interruption from Mr.
FORAKER tRep OHIO. who said that from the mo-
ment OF the blowing mp OF the Maine the flag OF the
Cuban Republic had been half-masted and was IN
that position today.
Mr. Foraker asked MIR Spooner II he had any
doubt that Cuba would be free and independent
when the United States interviewed. to which Mr.
Spooner instantly replied:
Il have no doubt that when We intervene Cuba
will be free and independent: but that is just the
reason why do not believe they are free and IN
dependent now.
'Independence" he continued. rs fact. not an
expression OF sympathy. Whether the so-called
Republic OF Cuba Is or IL not independent is mat
ter OF international law. Recognition Is an cx-
ecutive function.
savacery We intervene because Christian
Nation AT the end OF the nineteenth century we
cannot allow the atrocities now devastating the
island Of Cuba 10 go on any longer
Attention was called by Mr.. Tilman TO the fact
that France had recognized the colonies OF this
country.
Mr. spooner replied that France had recognized
the American Colonies rather for hate OF England
than for love OF America
DO you think" interjected Mr. MASON rep
I'D. that France hated England then more than
the American people hate Spain to-day?
with deep feeling Mr.. Spooner replied We are
not going to war with Spain for hate-not for hate
We are going to war with Spain because
not longer listen the cries OF starving suffering
women and children. We are going over there to
abate a nuisance.
In the course OF thorough and analytical dis
cussion Of the Maine disaster Mr.. spooner with I'M
prcssiveness called attention TO striking and sig
nifcant fact lie had carefully read the findings
OF the Spanish Board OF Inquiry. and all the testi-
mony offered before the Board One fact stood out
rs inculpatory OF Spain. ~" declared Mr.. Spoon
err. slowly and cmphatcally. that Spanish Board
could have established that there mine In
the harbor under the Maine. they would have
been swift to prove It, Yet this report shows that
not single witness was called 10 give evidence In
EuppOrt OF lhai canteuliau and LII eXidencc In