Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-01-28

was question for the future. Neither the
Filipinos nor the Porto Ricaris, said he.
had the right to haul down the American
nag. 1t had been planted by- the American
people, and It must stand until ithe Amer
ican people replaced it, .t
Mr.. Cousins. Republican. Of lowe. In sup
port of the bill, did not fouch the Phil
ippine question. He said that the milk in
the cocoanut OF the opposition to this bill
was it's Increase in the. manifestation OF
federal authority. -
ANY articulation of the national spirit
is regarded by some people as the voice OF
tyranny" said he, but If a patriotic man
Hesitation of federal authority, or assertion
of the national spirit, is a threat at per-
sonal liberty. and a menace at our insti,u-
tions then the very existence of the ma
tional spirit must be an Inherent evil l
have not lived long enough 10 have learned
of anything in the history of the exploits
of American soldiery or of their service. 10
justify that suspicion which is cast upon
the institution known as the regular army
of the United States, or the imputation
that it could ever be used as menace TO
the liberties of American citizenship. Does
the history of valor and of glory in the
Revolution prompt the gentlemen of the
minority and of the opposition to warn
America against American soldiery? Does
the record of the regulars, led by General
jackson at New Orleans fill the hearts of
gentlemen with fear or apprehension 1or
the safety of our citizens? Does ChapuIt-
epec send warning even into modern
Washington? Did there ever issue from
the lips, now closed in everlasting love
and fame in that silent mausoleum by the
Hudson, any word of menace to. future
citizen; any thought save peace. any ora
Gle save liberty and union? God spare
a grateful country and an admiring world
from any doubt about the matchless mag
nanimity of Appomattox.
The lonely graves of regulars, dot the
Western plains unlettered and obscure
Can 1t be possible that in those sepulchres
of silence gentlemen hear echoes OF dead
voices menacing our liberties?
Shall any thought of tyranny be attrib-
uted to Forsyth and his fifty gallant fol-
lowers in that famous conflict with the
Sioux? Would standing army of io,ooeoU
men like Captain GInniscn menace any
thing save barbarism. lor fail in their pro-
lection of great and noble enterprise? Per-
haps 1t is to Colonel Fetterman. with that
famous detachment of the Eighteenth
United States infantry and the Second
United States cavalry. who were guilty OF
nothing save being msssacred in the 'Fatal
Valley wear Fort Phil kearny, that gen.
tlemen mean 10 impute tendency TO
usurpation of the liberty of citizens? Or
may be they mean Lieutenant Grafton and
his detachment of the Sixth United States
infantry. murdered in the. man trap near
Fort Laramie. Wyo.. in 1854 1t could not
be General Candy and the famous heroes
of the Modoc war in the awful lava beds.
Perhaps in the peerless Custer and hts an
initiated followers this anxious and solicit
Gus minority read some sign of usurpaton
which makes them fear that future reg
ulars, inspired by their illustrious exam
pie. might encroach upon our civil liberty.
But, after all, it may be that not until
= the cool and desperate charge at San Juan
hill through murky river water up to the
waistband. then through the terrible en-
tanglements of barbed wire woven in the
brush land. then up the hill to death and
victory. did these gentlemen of the oppo-
sition feel SO keeniy the threatening danger
of our regulars to the liberty OF our citi-
zens.
I'm all the years of toll and strife and
victory that make the, history of our re-
public great the regular army has been its
shield and buckler."
Mr. Fitzgerald, Democrat, of Massachu-
sets. closed the general debate in oppo-
sition to the bill.
MIR. Hull, in charge OF the bill, closed for
his side. The number of enlisted men pro-
upon the personal views of the members of
the committee, but the authoritative ex-
preston of those who were. on the ground.
In Cuba the evacuation commission had de-
clared that $1,000 soldiers were necessary.
not necessary to enforce order but to insure
pace and tranquility without bloodshed. In
Manila the commanding general thirty days
ago had cabled that 5000 men would be
enough, but within the last month he had
hat sacYi n fn fn he
knowledge there that public opinion was
divided in this country and the impression
that prevailed there that the administra-
zion might be turned down had multiplied
rhe dangers there. The committee believed
the maximum should be placed at 100000,
but were willing to agree, in view Of the
opposition. that absolute provision should
only be made for 5000. giving the presi-
GENT the. discretion TO increase the army
up to 10o,00o. In his hands should be placed
1he power TO maintain the sovereignty of
the United States wherever our flag had
been carried, until congress should finally
determine what should be done.
This ended the general debate and the
bill was read for amendment under the
1ire-minute rule.
The first vote was taken on the commit
tee amendment to increase the number OF
chapiains from thirty to forty and it was
carried-Ss to IS.
MIR. Hay, Democrat, of Virginia, offered
the following amendment:
Provided. That the increase of the regu-
lar army beyond what it was before the
war with Spain shall only be used in Porto
Rico. Cuba, the Philippines, the Hawaiian
islands and the Ladrones, and, provided
further, that said increase, both officers
and men, shall be mustered out of the
service Within two years. or sooner If the
eNieencies permit"
Mr.. Cannon, Republican, of Illinois spoke
Tor the bill. The war with Spain brough,
responsibilities which had to be met and
could not be avoided. AS to the peace
treaty, Mr Cannon made an indirect init.
NATION of an extra session by saying the
treaty would be ratified either on E'ebrI,ar,
b or else by March 10.
And after the treaty is ratified ex.
claimed Mr. Cannon. Well hold the Phil
iplJines until the congress of the Cnitet
States mas knowledge enough and wisdom
enough and patriotism enough to say whaI
We'll do with them
MIR. Hays amendment was voted down
80 TO Il.
Mr.. Lacey moved TO strike out the pro-
VISION Tor lieutenant general, and, after
short debate. the motion prevailed.
Mr.. HUH explained in answer TO questions
that the reduction he would propose to the
bill would come from the enlisted fore,
by reduction of the size of the companies
If the president should deem 1t proper Il
swell the army TO the maximum 100 600 ths
size of the companies would be Increased
Very few additional officers would be re-
quired. s------.------
Mr.. Dockery. Democrat. of Missouri
charged that the fixing of a minimum wa,
palpable trick to stay the mutterings n
The opponents of ihe bill ON the other Side
lie would he as willing to trust Presiden
Mckinley as any executive, but he woulr
not trust Thomas Jefferson. if that states
man could revisit the earth with discre
;,,t 81,