The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-03-29

paid me in extending the very kind
invitation to respond TO this senti-
ment in this presence.
l hope I am not so obtuse as TO as
sumo that it is conferred so much as
a compliment to myself personally, but
rather as a recognition IF what some
have believed to be all accident that
befell tbs good people of this commune
ty upon one of the early days of No
Nember last
The sentiment to which you have
asked me to respond is one Of the most
important and mOmentOus that has
been presented to the American repub
lie at least for the last thirty years.
1t has in no sense O. political party
question. 1t is an American problem
of national interest. 1t affects the very
foundations, life and purpose of the re-
public itself. And it Is receiving as it
merits the most careful thought and
consideration of all classes and condi-
tons of our people. All are deeply III
terested in the new regime and order
of things and solicitous for it's effect
upon the future welfare of our coun-
try. Everywhere there IS feeling of
doubt and unrest, and this feeling is
shared in common by those VINO at pre-
pensation as we'll as by those who
strenuously oppose it. The very foun-
dations and basic principles upon which
the great superstructure Of the Ameri-
can republic is built and maintained
are in danger of being subVerted and
destroyed.
We entered upon the late war with
Spain for single purpose, well under
stood, clearly defined and forcibly sta
ted in solemn resolution by the congress
Of the United States as follows: THE
! United States hereby disclaims any
disposition or intention TO exercise SOW
ereignty, jurisdiction or control over
| said island (Cuba), except for the paci-
| tication thereof, and asserts its deter
mination, when that is accomplished,
to leave the government and control
! Of the island to its people" And the
! purpose that was then declared in re-
! lation to Cuba was implicitly made in
! relation to all other Spanish posses
! sions, and so accepted and understood
| not only by the great body of our peo-
| pie but by all other nations. 1t was
] to be a war for humanity's sake and
not for conquest, plumber or annexa =
! ton. The sacrifice of life ana treasure
| that would be involved in the struggle
! were to be free will Offering to free
! dom and independence. The youth and
/ Valor of this country, actuated by Am
erican patriotism and Americas high
] sense of justice and right, rose in Their
majesty and declared that SPANS CO.
ercion and subjugation of our neighbor-
ing people seeking freedom and indie
pendence should cease and that liberty
should not perish in our midst Here
was one of the grandest spectacles ev-
er presented to man, compelling and re-
ceiving the admiration Of every liberty
loving nation on earth.
How changed is our present attitude
what a travesty upon justice truth and
honor, in comparison with the exalted
purposes solemniy made in the begin
ming. We have grabbed and ''benevo.
lently assimilated" whatever of terri
tory we wanted and could get our itch
ing palms on that was conveniently To-
Gated at our back door, Cuba excepted
of course, for the time being, while
the smoke of battle is still or and un.
til a more convenient season when some
makeshift for an excuse can be called