The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-04-06
COTTON MEN ASK FOR PEACE.
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED APPROVING
THE PRESIDENTS COURSE.

vi
WiIIams-Hc FavOrs War Rather
Than Peace at the Expense of Hon
or-The Resolutions Adopted by
standing Vote of II 10 12-The
President of the Exchange In
Htructed to MemOraIiEe the Secre-
tarv of the Navy in Behalf of
CoaIInG station at Tybec,
Peace resolutions were adopted by the
Cotton Exchange at its meeting yesterday.
This was foreseen. The resolutions were
not adopted without opposition, however
The meeting was well attended, there be-
ing about fifty-nine members present.
President Henry 7. Williams called the
meeting to order, stating that 1t has been
called at the request of members of the
exchange for the purpose of considering
the strained relations now existing be
tween this country and Spain.
President Williams said that in opening
the meeting he thought it proper to say
a few words The situation was serious
one for any country to face, he said, but
for this country more especially so. The
United States, he said, had taken its
stand upon the principle of non-interfer-
ence with the affairs of other nations.
Under the specious plea of humanity ef-
forts were being made to alter this time
honored policy The result Of such step,
President Williams declared, would be to
bring the United States to the same basis
as the European nations. maintainingdm-
mense armies at all time. 1t would mean
increase of the already too large pension
roll.
The following resolutions were offered
by Mr.. J. j. Wilder
Resolved, That the Savannah Cotton Ex-
change appeal to the President and the
members of Congress to exhaust every ef-
fort to settle amicably any differences that
have arisen or may arise between Spain
and the United States. We commend The
conservative action of the President and
call upon the members of Congress from
Georgia to sustain him in averting war
If possible.
Several members seconded the resolution
and the president inquired If there were
any remarks to be made. After a pause
of a moment or two Mr.. J. p Williams
lutions
Il believe" said Mr.. Williams, that 1
voice the sentiment of the American poo
pie when / say that the people of tine
United States do not want war with SPAN.
While u do not want war, l feel that the
members of Congress and the chief exec
utive will do all in their power, consistent
with honor, TO avert war. do not believe
the resolutions at this time are opportune.
ba mt tc inn
tunity to avert war. The existing condi-
lions have prevailed for three years now,
and insult after insult have been heaped
upon our flag. The President and Con-
gress have done everything they could to
avert war Under the present circumstan-
ces a vote of confidence in Congress and
the President would be more opportune.
The resolutions offered indicate lack Of
confidence. Any resolutions indicating
want of confidence in the government gives
aid to the enemy"
Mr. Williams expressed his belief that
had President McKinley's message TO the
Congress, conveying the report of the
board of inquiry on the Maine, been some
what more emphatic and pointed, that
had 1t been less evasive, the conditions
would be entirely different to-day from
what they are.
Say what you please" exclaimed Mr..
Williams, 1.-THE American people have
taken a high stand upon this question,
from which they will not readily be
moved"
Mr. Williams spoke of jiugoes. There
were men in Congress. he said, who
should not be there They were there for
their own purpose and advancement, and
not for the good of the country. While
this was true. he said. il could not be
claimed that the President and Congress
did not represent the best sentiment of
the country. I'VE are not misrepresent-
ed" said he
IT will go as far as any man living to
avert war" said Mr. Williams in conclu-
sion. but if we are to have peace at the
expense of honor say let us have war;
There was lively applause in response to
this statement.
Mr.. w. T. Williams said he was oppos-
ed to the adoption of the resolution for
TWO reasons. One was that not long since
meeting at the Cotton Exchange had
adopted resolutions opposing certain ac-
ton on the part of the President. The
resolutions were treated with contempt.
Their request was disregarded and no no.
tiSe had ever been taken of the reso-
buttons. He was opposed to giving further
gratuitous advice TO the President. His
second reason for opposing the resolutions
was that such action might be taken to
show lack of confidence in the govern
ment and lack of patriotism on the part
OF the members of the Cotton Exchange.
Vice President John c. Hunter was then
called to the chair by President Williams
who took the floor and stated his reasons
for supporting the resolutions
The resolution rises above partisan poll
tics, MIR. Williams said. The members OF
the Cotton Exchange have not sacrificed
their rights as citizens in becoming mem.
bers of that body, and are privileged tc
address the President and Congress or
such subjects, If they see fit The com.
mercial Organizations of the country have
already flooded Congress with resolutions
on this subject. The position of the mem
bers of the exchanges expressed in the res.
buttons was not that war should h,
averted at any price, but in opposition e
the hasty action of hotheads far from tn,
eeacoast, who know not what war is
President Williams conteuded that for thii
country TO interfere with Spain NJ III.
management of her colony would be On
tirely subversive of all the princLolel
which this government had previously
upheld in reference to IFS dealings viii
foreign nations. There Was no cause fol
war, he declared. His remarks were re
cetved with applause.
No al off to