The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-09

1
come. In view of the facts, it would be
cowardice to be unreasonably prepared.
We pray for peace and yet we realize
that we should prepare for war if it is
| necessary.
| I'VE rise above party lines here today,
| there are no Democrats, Republicans, or
| PopuliSts here, but American citizens. pa
| triots, all. whether from the Gulf of Mex
! leo or from the sparkling waters of
| Maine. We respond to the demands of our
| President and vote for this money as
patriots. and so we answer the ques-
ton:
Breathes there with soul so dead,
| Who never to himself has said
| This is my own, my native land!
I'm response to this sentiment we vote
! for this appropriation. realizing that if 1t
! should be made necessary we would vote
to expend not only this. but millions
more to defend our country's honor"
MIR. Pitney CRep) was of the opinion
that if it had been consistent with the
| peaceful policy of this Government, to
maintain at all times heavy armament,
we would not be in the slightest daner
| today. The one thing necessary in order
| to compel peace at the present time. he
| thought. was to have it known through
out the civilized world that we were
making every honorable effort to
strengthen and maintain our defenses.
II think sir said Mr.. Pitney, that
| the preparations that the American peo-
! pie will be able to make will be an object
| lesson to the civilized world, and will
| tend to peace, not only in this emergency,
| but to a lasting and honorable peace for
| future generations. We hope that there
will be no conflict. We desire peace with
| honor-but we lay solemn emphasis on
| the word honor. 1t comes first. 1t is the
most important. 1t is the end" Cap
| plause)
Mr. Boutelle RepD Chairman of the
! Committee on Naval Affairs. was the next
speaker He was granted five minutes
| by Mr. Cannon, but said he did not de-
sire so much time, as it seemed to him
| that this was time for action and not
/ for talk. He said that the sentiment
thus far expressed indicated that there
was no need of argument on the matter.
Il rise simply to state" said he that
! | am instructed by the Committee on
| Naval Affairs to express its hearty sym
| pathy and support for this measure de-
| voting $50 600, O0O of the public funds to
the use of the President OF the United
| States for such measures as, in his judg
ment may at any time be necessary
for the public defense or in any way
| to protect and uphold the dignity of the
| American Republic. My only regret is
| that this measure could not have been
presented. as l expected it would be, by
| itself to stand out alone as a grand eX-
| preston of the confidence and patriotism
| of an American Congress. proclaiming
not only to our country, but to the
nations of the world, that, in a time of
great emergency, the legislative branch
| of the American Government is ready
TO vote millions of dollars of the public
money to uphold and maintain the honor
and dignity of the nation. I am justified
| i'm saying at this time that ! have taken
| occasion to give the President of the
| United States from day to day the
| strongest possible assurance of my con-
| fdence that at any moment that he
might demand the Congress of the
United States would vote him, not only
$50. G0o, 900. but $I0o 90, O0OO just as quick.
shall vote for this bill with great pleas
ure"
Mr.. Hopkins, Republican, of Illinois,
said. in view of the fact that the Presi-
dent was thoroughly conversant with all
the circumstances surrounding the re-
lations between Spain and the United
States. he was better prepared to Judge
Of the necessity of the calIed-for ap-
preparation, and also better able to spend
the money advantageously.
Mr.. Cooper. Democrat, of Texas. said
that, with more than half hundred
seaports, there was not one-tenth Of
the number that could be protected from
the assaults of an enemy and he thought
it was high time to appropriate money
for defense.
Mr.. Warmers Plain Talk
A Republican member of the House
from Illinois Mr. Warner, ridiculed the
theory that this was a peace measure
He declared that it was a war measure,
and that he supported it more willingly
than if it meant peace. Everybody out
side of this chamber who is able to read
and write" said he. knows that 1t is
a war measure just as much as if the
President had called for "a, 900 volunteers.
If it were a peace measure he would
find a division in this chamber on polit-
ical lines. 1t is a war measure and that
is the reason that every American on
this floor is in favor of it. applause }
War is healthy. We have been without
one for thirty-five years and for a
just cause the young men of this country
viii welcome war with cheers. The war
from 1861 to 1860 made us d better and
stronger people. and the war coming on
now will strengthen US in the same way.
while l have the greatest respect for
the President and his craftsmanship and
his loyalty, 1 viii say that for some
time ] have been restive under the re-
straint which has been put upon legisla-
ton looking to the aiding of those brave
people who have been so long struggling
for their independence. Before this bill
was introduced / had determined there
after to follow my own inclinations and
judgment and vote for any and every
measure that looked to the giving Of the
Cubans not only belligerent rights. but
independence and freedom from the
Spanish yoke. (Applause)
Il have felt Inundated that this great
Government should be actively aiding the
Spanish monarchy in starving their peo-
Pile whose only desire was the freedom
we now enjoy"
This state Of affairs in which we are
patrolling our coasts with armed vessels
| 20 keen stIDDlias from reaching the insI,r-