The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1898-03-23

conflict with the great American Repub-
lie. dates the beginning of her power
from the year 1892 in which the discovery
of Columbus led 70 the ultimate establish
ment Of the United States.
Spanish History.
The year which gave the Western Hem
isphere to Spain witnessed the expulsion
of the Moors from Grenada, and made all
the Spanish possessions one united eOun-
try. Its first king. Ferdinand Of Aragon.
whose marriage with Isabella of CASTLE,
in 1869, marked the beginning Of real
Spanish kingdom, was also the last Span
ish king for at his death. in l5l6. the sue
cession passed into the lines Of the Haps-
burghs, with sad and melancholy conse-
quences for the civilized world.
During the 400 years of its rise and
fall it's invariabIe record has been one OF
cruelty. of persecution. OF bigotry, OF nos
tility to every sentiment Of human free
dom, common justice and enlightenment
The slavery to which IL doomed its sub
jects in the Western Hemisphere was not
more cruel than it's oppression OF HOl-
land or its tyranny over its own people at
home. The bigotry. the fanatcism, the
intolerance. and the gloomy superstition
of its tone of mind is unrelieved by one
single CLEAN of recognition Of human
its decay and downfall is unrelieved by
one single triumph of genius in states
manship or of prowess in battle against
an armed enemy.
One after one Of Spain's possessions
have fallen away. like bricks from
moldering wall. until today she stands
alone, bankrupt in resources. but still
clinging 10 that policy Of cruelty, Of OPP
preston and determination which has
been her only known method of dealing
for 400 years. until finally forced 10 con-
front the republic of freedom, of eQuaH-
ty. Of justice, of humanity, Of civiliza-
ton.
IL is not accident of chance which has
brought about the present situation. IL
is inexorable destiny. which DEGREES
that the last of Spain's il-gotten pos
sessions in this hemisphere will be lift
ed TO freedom by the one republic which
represents everything that Spain has
antagonized during her whole history.
Americans Aroused.
Fortunately the people Of this great
Republic are thoroughly aroused TO the
situation. and the great heart Of the
American pOpuIace Is in full sympathy
with Cuba.
Religion and humanity alike demand
that this unhOly war shall cease. and
cease il should even though the glitter
and glamour of military rule shall end.
and deCaying and dissOlute throne
shall pass away never to return.
Mr.. President. I am asked what
would have done.
The question is one demanding an
/ honest and careful answer.
The senator from Vermont closed his
speech by declaration that he does
/ not favor annexation but for myself,
looking 10 the future peace and pros
q - ~
/ that, sooner or later. this great Govern
/ ment will Of necessity absorb Cuba, and
/ IL IL is to come. why not now?
[ IL is argued that we do not want terri
I tory DeODled BY race different IN na-
tiOnalfty and habits Of life from our own
Is IL forgotten that when We absorbed
California Florida and Texas that same
problem confronted our Government
The problem was soon solved, and who
dares now say that California, Florida
and Texas are less American than Massa-
chusetts. Virginia and New York;
Ours is a great country Of urdeveloped
resources and infinite possibilities We
are once more united people. ana II Is
utterly idle 10 say that we cannot sue
cessfully govern an island that is practi-
caHy a part Of our own territory.
To doubt our ability TO do that Is q re-
Election uDOn the strength Of republican,
institutions that | do not share.
But. Mr.. President. II annexation can
| not be accomplished. let Cuban indepen-
/ denCe speedily come.
American interests in Cuba have al
ready suffered enough. We have pa
| trolled our coast in the interest Of Spain
/ as long as we should and We have spent
I quite too much money in protecting orr
I people from epidemic diseases comin5 10
/ our shores because Of the uusaOitary con-
| dition Of the harbOr and city Of HavaIl.
rr
meuts Of an age Of advanced 7ivitzl-
ton.
Let the United States. or Cuba. take Up
the problem and solve II. The vlgcr
shown by our early statesmen il dJ1iIHS
with Spain in relation TO the acqui sltlon
Of Florida may well be invoked in this
crisis. for no one now hesitateS 70 COM
mend the action Of Monroe and Adams
in dealing with that problem.