The herald., 1898-04-17

to put an end to conditions in the island
of Cuba should result in war 1t must be
so. The United States would not be re-
creant to it's duty or to great trust.
He held that the President and House of
Representatives had placed the pend
| ing question upon high ground. The
Senate was called upon to place it on
lower ground; on untenable ground that
| would not be approved by the nations
of the earth.
II deplore tit is objectionable" de-
clared Mr.. Platt.
He thought to recognize the present
republic which General Lee had testi-
fled existed only in skeleton, would be
little short of folly. Before extending
such recognition, Mr.. Platt said. it would
be necessary for the United States to
strike from history the words of many
of the nations statesmen and give up
the Monroe doctrine.
Mr.. Platt concluded with an appeal for
calm and deliberate action-such as
would be approved by all future gener-
ations.
A strong appeal for recognition of the
independence of the present Cuban re-
public was made by Mr.. Bacon of Geor-
gia In beginning he said it was unfair
to charge that all Senators who differed
from the President upon this question
were hostile to him. He did not approve
of the Presidents message in it's entire
ty, because it was impossible for him to
grant such power to President as Mr..
Mckinley evidently desired.
No Reason for War
Mr.. Wellington of Maryland followed
Mr.. Bacon and as he arose to speak there
was a stir in the galleries. The speaker
said he was thoroughly satisfied that
there was no good reason for the United
States going to war with Spain. No war
could be justified at any time by any ma
ton unless all diplomatic agencies had
been exhausted and he could not see
that result in the message of the Presi-
dent.
II will vote for peace; will stand TO"
peace as long as peace is possible" he
said Il do not stand here as an apol
ogist for the Spanish policy. believe
the people Of Cuba had a right to rebel
against the colonial policy of Spain. But
we, as nation, are outside the situation.
We have nothing to do with the rebellion
now going on in the island"
Mr.. wellington argued that the mes
sage of the President has been wholly
misconstrued; that instead of an appeal
to Congress to sanction war it was ex
actly the reverse, but the war frenzy
was abroad and Congress was rushing
into hostilities.
1.-THE President, l believe, in his heart,
feels that war is not necessary"
He read the closing paragraph Of the
procidanfsc o,oI via ooi, in,
upon it, said that the words
indicated that the Executive still be-
lieved that the armistice granted to the
would yet work out peace.
Passing to the internal dissensions ex-
isting in Spain. he said that the United
States would be held responsible should
the Carlists overthrow the present dy-
nasty, which he hoped would continue
many years. Upon the question Of the
responsibility as to the destruction of
the Maine. Mr.. wellington passionately
said that he could not think that Spain
blew up our vessel.
'If so, then the responsibility rests
upon General Blanco in command at Ha-
vana, and I cannot believe that General
Blanco would sanction such an outrage.
One touch of nature makes the whole
world kin, even though the kinship be
with Spaniard."
In concluding, he said: eff war must
be, Maryland will be with you, but in
this fateful hour she is for peace"
Turpie Amends
Mr.. Turpie of Indiana, in order to make
perfectly clear the resolution reported
by the minority of the Foreign Rela-
tions Committee, offered an amendment
to insert after the word independent
the United States hereby recognizes the
republic of Cuba as the true and law
full government of that island"
Caffery's Address
Mr.. Caffery was then recognized: II
have stood before on the brink of war;"
he said. Although young then, coun-
seled moderation; but my opinion was
swept to the winds and I was carried
along with my people into the most col
lossal war in the history of civilized ma
tions. Our people were unit then. If
war is to be waged we ought to be a
unit now. But it seems whoever dares
to utter a thought in opposition to hasty
or ill-conceived action subjects himself
to the gibbet in the popular breast"
Caffery then entered upon discussion of
the Cuban situation, declaring it was man
ifest that the power of Spain was slowly
dying in Cuba, and that her sovereignty,
without our interference, would be swept
from the island. Caffery maintained that
recognition was an executive and not a
legislative function.
"Whose fight is it." he vehemently asked,
sin which we are going to participate? 1t
is not our fight, but a fight between certain
insurrectionary factions in the island Of
Cuba and the Spanish crown"
He then paid a glowing tribute to the
wisdom, the patience and the high patriot-
ism of the president Even without inter-
vention on our part, it was the opinion of
Caffery that the island of Cuba would be
free, and that in the very nature Of things
Spain would have to relinquish her hold
in the western hemisphere.
Hawley of Connecticut pronounced
Judgment upon the message of the presi-
dent as one of the great state papers that
would be justified in the light of history.
He criticised the resolutions as present.
ed and thought that, to all intents and pur-
poses, the house resolution more nearly
reached all the phases of this complicated
question than any other reported.
A Solemn Duty
White of California said he stood before
the senate to address himself to the most
question which had ever been
brought to the attention of the American
people. 1t was disagreeable to dissent from
the committee view, to set aside the popu-
lar feeling. The plaudits of the people We're