The times., 1899-12-12
MASON'S SYMPATHY talk
The Senator From Illinois Speaks
to His BOer Resolution.
Declares 1t Would BE CoyvnrdIy for
the Great Republic to Remain
silent in the Face of south African
Crisis-The Matter Referred TO the
Committee on Foreign Relations.

A large measure of the attention of the
Senate was given yesterday to the consid-
GRAFTON of the resolution introduced by
Senator Mason of Illinois declaring that
the sympathy of the United States is with
Boer- British war.
Before the discussion of Mr. Mason's
resolution various routine matters were
disposed Of
Resolutions Of the Connecticut Legisla-
ture favoring the exclusion Of polygamists
from membership in Congress were pre-
sented by the presiding officer and refer
red to the Judiciary Committee. bill for
the coinage of the American product Of sill
yer was introduced By Mr.. Pettigrew.
Bills for Presidential commissions to en-
quire into trade conditions in China and
Japan were introduced by Mr. McCumber.
The Former Slave Pension bill was rsintro-
duced next, and attention was called to it
by Mr.. Cockrell of Missouri. who said that
it had been introduced in the two past Con
crosses, and it was read in full
Mr.. Hoar introduced a joint resolution
for constitutional amendment to make
the Presidential and Congressional terms
rud and besin on the last Wednesday in
April, instead of the 4th of March. It
was referred to the Committee On Priv
ileges and Elections. 4 joint resolution
for the division, between the Senate and
House. CT the space lately used by the
Congressional Library, was reported by
Mr.. Spconer of Wisconsin and passed.
a bill for the restoration to their orig
inal status as to promotion of officers in
the Navy and Marine Corps, who lost
numbers by reason of the advancement
of other officers for meritOrious services
in the war with Spain, was reported by
Mr.. Chandler of New Hampshire, and was
placed on the calendar
Senator Mason, on securing the floor TO
speak to his resolution, said in part;
The war between monarchy and republicauism
began in earnest July (, lI76, and no treaty OF
peace has ever been concluded. nor ever Will be,
until the question Is settled right. The mon
archcal trust company, though often qulrretng
among themselves, have always agreed on one
thing, that republic is a mistake BECAUSE il
threatens to make strained relations between God
and the king; not that the king cares Tor him
SELF but has always been deeply fearful and cx-
tremely soiicitous lest God should be wofsted IN
the division Of influence. territory, and trade.
Notwithstanding this solemn pretcnce, 1t IS no.
tceable in history that the king has never quite
lost sight of his interests, and has Joined
other kings and potentates. wor-hiping a din rent
deity, to hold in check the foolish ambition Oi
men to govern themselves
Senator Mason read Mr.. Webster's re-
marks in support Of his resolution to ex-
tend sympathy to the Greeks, and then
continued:
CoyyardIy to Remain silent.
But, we are asked, what interest have we2 Ii I
did rot believe that we had an interest 1 should
not have presented this resolution. In the strug-
gle between democracy and royalty, the coutinu-
Gus wsr between the divine right OF kings and
the divine right OF man, It would be CoWaTdly Tor
the great Republic to be silent 1t never has been
silent before.
But we are told that England was our friend
in the war with Spain. How Her people were
our friends because her people are a Christian
people; her Government haz never been our friend
except for purposes Of its own l have no de-
sire to twist the lions tail, but truth cOmpcl5
the statement, 80 far as our interests arc con
Cerned, for the last half ctatury the Government
OF England and the people CT England have b1en
divided You remember 1861? The Government
/ OF England did all il could to divide the Union,
but the brave starving weayers refused to re-
solve against Us, saying they would starye be-
fore they would say a word for slavery. But
even suppose she were today cur best friend, are
we to be silent and uphold i wrong III considcra-
tlou Of that tTlerd-HIpt Ii she had helped Us do
an honorable thing, are we bound to help her
do a dishouorabe thing, ike pulling down the
/ ldg OF rcpub lC and putting the Ing OF monarchy
in its placer Are we to trade our moral influence
among the nations OF the world Tor . friendly
gI0Wi3 ire We TO become the lions whelp, OF
has the eagle glutttd itself with carrion anl
agreed to screCch more until the lion r0arsl
We Republicans are charged with ! secret ALI
ance with England 1t cannot be true, ard the
vote which this or similar resolution receive.
Will answer the charge.
Understand ne, this is no declaration of war
TO involving OF our Army or Navy. The Amerl
can doctrine is, and has always been since tins
days Il Monroe. 10 Interfere, by force. il ueces
sary, when mouarcaics made eucrolchmont il
America and in all other controversies 10 Europe
: % n f.. TD on
mind in iavCr OF the people against the king
The proof Is in the Monroe doctrine, well knowr
10 You applied to America. and the Mouro,
message, just read, expressing hope fOr GreciaT
iuarp, ,udcHce.
On the Armenian resolutions the question wa:
not raised whether we were interfering in Euro
pcan politics. We did not setm to be- afraid {.
offend any OF the powers Gentlemen spoke
freely. There was no let OF hiudrance to th,
opinion Of Senator's. so one feared to expires:
opinion upon the subject