The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-04-19

a fourth paragraph proposed by Sena-
! tor Teller. In full it is as follows:
Joint resolution for the recognition
of the independence Of the people and
republic of Cuba, demanding that the
! government of Spain relinquish it's au-
| thority and government in the island
| of Cuba, and to withdraw it's land and
! naval forces from Cuba and Cuban wa
| ters, and directing the president of the
! United States to use the land and naval
| forces of the United States to carry
| these resolutions into effect.
! Whereas, The abhorrent conditions
! which have existed for more than
three years in the island of Cuba, SO
near our own borders, have shocked
! the moral sense of the people of the
| United States, have been disgrace to
| Christian civilization, eliminating, as
| they have, in the destruction Of Unit
ed States battleship, with 266 of it's Of
| ficers and crew, while on a friendly
! visit in the harbor Of Havana, and
| cannot longer be endured, as has been
set forth by the president of the Unit
| ed States in his message to congress
of April II, 1898, upon which the action
! of. congress was invited therefore,
| Resolved, By the senate and house
! of representatives of the United States
! in America in congress assembled,
l. That the people of the island Of
Cuba are and of right ought to be,
| free and Independent, and that the
government of the United States here
! by recognizes the republic Of Cuba as
| the true and lawful government of that
| island.
! 2. That it is the duty of the United
| States to demand and the government
of the United States does hereby de-
| mand that the government of Spain
at once relinquish it's authority and
]
withdraw it's land and naval forces
from Cuba and Cuban waters.
3. That the president of the United
| Stateh be, and he hereby is, directed
and empowered to use the entire land
| and naval forces of the United States
and to call into the actual service of
| the United States the militia of the
several states, to such extent as may
be necessary to carry these resolu-
tions into effect.
4. That the United States hereby
| disclaim any dispOtism or intention to
exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction or
control over said island, except for
the pacification thereof, and assert
! their determination when that is ac-
. complished to leave the government
and control of the island to it's peo-
pie.
THE DEBATE.
i Senator Cannon, of Utah, opened the
debate this morning. He spoke for
sharp intervention, saying that the
surest way to peace was through the
gates of war.
In accordance with his previous no
| tice, Senator Teller offered a substi-
tute for the pending Cuban resolution,
including distinct disavowal of any
purpose of conquest on our part.
| Senator Allen, of Nebraska, protest
ed against the interference Of the
| powers"
Senator Burrows, of Michigan, SUD-
ported the position assumed in this
crisis by the president and argued
against the recognition Of the present
| republic of Cuba.
Senator Platt, of Connecticut, who
in accordance with the agreement
reached last night, was accorded a
half hours time, devoted it to a strong
and eloquent expression of his hope for
peace and defense of the president
"A strong peal for recognition Of the
Independence of the present Cuban re-
public was then made by Senator Ba-
con- Of Georgia. I'm beginning he said
1t was unfair to charge that all sena-
tors Who differed from the president
! upon this question We're hostile to him
He did not approve the presidents mes
sage in its entirety, because it was i'm
. | possible for him to grant such power to
a president as Mr.. Mckinley evidently
| Desired. Mr. Bacon closed 10y saving:
Unfortunately, differ from the pres
ldent in his recommendation The pres-
cent asks congress to clothe him wit h
tne power to wage war at his discretion
l thing it wou1d be unconstitutional to
granthdm THAT power and, consequently
l cannot agree with him. The resolu-
tiOns passed by the house Of represen-
1atiVes, in my opinion, practically pro-
pose to confer upon him this power,
Therefore, under no circumstance IS
could i, in view of my constitutional
obligations. vote for these resolutions
burt that is not hostility to the pres
idert. In the same way I regard the
recognition Of the independence OF the
Cubans as an essential in case of in
tervention. The president thinks it
should not be accorded them. My COL
league GSenator Clay) has already
spoken upon this subject and will prob
abay not again have an opportunity to
address the senate upon ft. Therefore,
| take occasion to say for him that as
to tAeSe positions w0fich would make
1T impossible for me to vote for the
house resolutions he agrees with me-
Senator Wellington, OF Maryland, fol-
| lowed Senator Bacon. He said he was
thoroughly satisfied that there was no
good reason for the United States 60
ing to war with Spain. No war could
be justified at any time 10y any nation
unless ali diplomatic agencies had been
exhausted and ne could not see that
result in the message of the president.
II will vote for peace, will stand for
peace as long as peace is possible"
Upon this question OF responsibility
as 70 the destruction OF the Maine,