The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1899-09-29

pire In them, or anything akin to an EN-
pire. All they desire is to carry to their in
habitants the same enlightenment and the
same civilization which we enjoy. When
they are prepared for it, 1t is proposed,
when congress shall act, to give them a
government free in character, and guaran-
teeing to them the sacred rights which we
cherish.
What is all this fuss about? What has
caused all this hue and cry about expansion
Hnd Imperialism?
The War With Spain.
In the spring of 1898 we were compelled
| to engage in war with Spain. The grounds
| which justified it, as stated by President
| Mckinley, were "the interest Of humanity;
| the duty to protect the life and property of
| our citizens in Cuba; the right to check
| injury to our commerce and people through
| the devastation of the island, and the need
| of removing at once and forever the con-
| slant menace and burdens entailed upon
| our government by the uncertainties and
| periis of the situation, caused by the unen-
durable disturbances in Cuba. For these
| reasons he asked congress to authorize and
| empower the president "to take measures
| to secure a full and final termination of
hostilties between Spain and the people of
| Cuba, and to secure in the island the estab-
| lishment of stable government, capable OF
maintaining order and preserving its inter-
national obligations, insuring peace and
| tranquility and the security Of its citizens,
| as well own, and for the accom-
plshment of these ends to use the military
| and naval forces of the United States as
| might be necessary"
| In response to this request Of the presi-
| dent, congress, after conference, on the
18th of April. by vote Of AZ to 35 in the
senate and 81 to in the house Of repre-
sentatives, passed joint resolution, declar-
| ing:
"First-That the people of the island of
Cuba are, and Of right, ought to be free
| and Independent.
'Second-That it isthe duty of the United
States to demand, and the government Of
the United States does hereby demand,
| that the government Of Spain at once re-
linquish its authority and government in
the island of Cuba and withdraw its land
and naval forces from Cuba and Cuban
waters.
''Third-That the president of the United
States be and he hereby is directed and en-
powered to use the entire land and naval
forces Of the Unlred States, and to call
into actual service of the United States
the militia of the several states, to such
extent as may be necessary to carry these
resolutions into effect.
"Fourth-That the United States hereby
disclaims any disposition or Intention to
exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction or control
over said island, except for the paciffcation
thereof, and asserts its determination,
when thai is accomplished, to leave the
, government and control of the island to
its people"
) This resolution was approved by the ex-
ecutive on the 2Oth day of April, 1898, and
| a copy was communicated to the Spanish
, minister and to the government of Spain,
, with formal demand that it at once re-
lnquish its authority in the island Of Cuba,
and withdraw it's forces therefrom.
By these acts war became inevitable. On
, the 25th day of April congress was In
formed of the situation, and the president
recommended a formal declaration of the
existence of a state OF war between the
United States and Spain. The congress &C
cordingly voted on the same day an act
declaring the existence of such war from
and including the 21st day Of April, and
re-enacted the provision Of the resolution
of April 20, directing the president to use
8 all the armed forces of the nation to carry
that act into effect.
Justice of the Spanish War.
1t was a just war entered into by the
, joint act Of the president and the congress
: each exercising his and its constitutions
prerogatives, and fully approved by thu
= sentiment Of the people Of the United
States.
1t was a situation which had been threat
, | ened for months. The people and the con
. gress had clamored for decisive action ol
= the part of the president long before thi
: time, and none had been more clamorou
> than the Democratic members Of congress
The president knew the unprepared con
/, dition of the country for war, and he full.
. . realized that this nation would not be JUS
= | titled n the eyes of humanity or the worl
= in making war until all efforts to secur
redress of grievances by peaceful mean
D had been exhausted. During this delay, an
:, for weeks prior to the Goth of April ever
;. effort was made to place the country in
/. . condition to meet the storm which threat
. ened. When II did come, and the countr
y found itself engaged in deadly conflict wit
. a foreign enemy, we had a navy in splendi
condition and fully prepared for the emel
| gency Every nerve was then strained t
recruit the army and place it upon wa
~ footing. The regular army was increase
. to the full limit authorized by law, an
y calls were made for 250,O0O volunteers. Th
>. response of the country was most patriotic
- and the ranks of the army were speedil
= | filed by young men who were anxious t
= defend the honor of our flag.
n A Herculean Task.
te The task which confronted the presiden
to was herculean, but he seized hold of
with an energy and with an ability whic
to were most admirable. He knew no res
m day or night, until the war ended. A
in army of 250,000 men was organized, arme
rs and equipped and supplied with subsis
in ence in an incredibly short period of tim'
s. The great victory Of Dewey, which fo
IS dash. bravery and complete success ou
N shone all other naval achievements in hi
Ill tory, ushered in the month of May an
is destroyed the Spanish fleet in Manila ba.
n In the first days of July were recorde
lr | the victories of our brave and skillful SO
1t ders at Ell Caney and San Juan.
ID One of the bravest and most skillful so
le diers of that gallant army, Governor Roos'
veIt is on the platform today, and l desiI
that you, here and now, show your appr
citation of his great service to our countr
n II by giving him three OF the loudest cheer
- ever heard in the state of Ohio. cloud an
IL prolonged cheering)
ID Splendid Record of Our Forces.
er We had hardly realized that a great VII
IL tory had been won by our army before th
e. news came from Cervera's fleet was at til
ct bottom of the sea, off Santiago, a victil
rs of the skill and bravery of our sailor
as guided and directed by the most efficier
he naval commanders. In less than 100 day
at the power of proud and arrogant Spai
i'd was broken, and she was at the feet of til
e. republic. Most complete success had bee
ay secured.
es We can not give too much credit to OF
IN soldiers and sailors and the splendid of
ed GERS who commanded them But the pc
a pie should not forget, and do not, that b
Is, hind them all, with anxious heart an
of steady nerve, guiding every movemen
nd stood the commander-in-chief Of the arm
and the navy, the president Of the Unite
States-the great son of Ohio-Willia
" Mckinley. Grea. applause.)
to The Treaty of Peace.
in Speedily following these great victori'
IN n arrnistice for the nurnnSe of neg