The record-union., 1899-01-26

and the public safely demanded the
support of all, that there arose this be-
wildering confusion of tongues. What
ever responsibilities existed to-day, he
declared, dated from the final ulti-
niatum we had given to the Ministry at
Madrid. ALL the treasure that had been
expended, all the victories that had
been won, all the possessions we had
gained, were part of the context of the
resolution of April 20, 1898. If we, were
wong then, as his friend from Indiana
was sure we We're; If the President
were as loyal as he said he was; If our
action in Congress was a blunder and
a crime, it was a year too late to go
back and begin over again. If he John
SOM supported the President then, he
should have the grace now, in troubles
that had arisen out of these troubles,
to have met the situation with generous
sci:citude, instead of anger and indig
nant protests.
Almost alone in this Capital, the
President had begged and pleaded for
time for a peaceful solution against
those who were using their influence
to inflame the passions of the hour
against the resources of diplomacy.
Those who were then taking this side
by the scruff of the neck and dragging
US into war;" said he, "have much
to learn of the ethics, if not the ETH
quette of craftsmanship (Applause.)
Mr.. Dolliver said he had heard the
President insulted twice on the floor
of the House, once last session by Is
member from the Presidents own
State (Mr. Lentz). He had hoped that
that insult would stand alone. To-day
he had heard another, when the gentle
man from Indiana asserted that the
President slavishly followed public
opinion; that he slavishly found out
what the people wanted before he
acted Internationally, said Mr.. Dol
liver, the gentleman from Indiana had
paid to William Mckinley the tribute
which a grateful country had lovingly
placed on the grave of Abraham Liz
coln-that he stood by the millions of
his countrymen.
The President was absolutely without
responsibility for the Spanish war. The
initial responsibility rested with Con-
gress and the people. The Congressional
action had been a matter of national
action, and the American people, count
ing no cost too heavy, had stood by,
approving witnesses, of all that was
done and gentle sympathizers with all
that had been suffered.
Referring to the anti-expansion ele-
ment, Mr.. Dolliver characterized it as
a quaint combination of bewildered
politicians and statesmen without con-
stituencies, who were now proposing to
direct the affairs of the nation" Their
arguments and ammunition were
drawn, he said, from General Blanco
himself
When Mr.. Dolliver paid glowing
tribute to Admiral Dewey there was
| hearty round of applause.
| A heated passage between Mr. DolIi-
| yer and Mr.. Johnson occurred when the
latter asked If the administration be-
| lieved in the forcible annexation of the
Philippines
| Mr.. Dolliver sharply answered that he
| did not speak for the President or the
! Administration. When he added a
| glowing eulogy of the President, who,
amidst the perplexities of the hour,
was pressing steadily forward with the
| memorable course of human events
there was long continued applause
mingled with loud shouts of approval.
| When Mr.. Johnson persisted in ask
ing an answer to his questions, Mr..
Dolliver waived him aside, and, amid
another outburst of applause. declared
that the crisis of the hour was due to
| the almost reasonable utterances in
! this chamber and in the Senate cham
ber.' There was some excuse for the
rioters at Madrid. but none for those
who at home Joined in reviling their
country and denouneing our Peace
Commissioners for what they had done.
Mr.. Dolliver caused much amusement
by describing the mingling of tears"
between Mr.. Carnegie, Mr.. Bryan and
Mr.. Cleveland, and the lamentations
over the decadence Of their country. 1t
was part OF that sentiment. voiced