The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1899-1900, 1899-09-27

mehued formal declaration OF the exist
ence Of state Of war between the United
States ana Spain. The congress accordingly
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, d.
recting the president to use all the armed
forces Of the nation to carry that act into
effect.
Justice Of the Spanish War.
1t was u Just war. entered into by the
Joint act OF the president and the congress,
each exercising his and Its constitutional
prerogatives, and fully approved by the
sentiment Of the people Of the United
States.
II was situation which had been threat
sned for months The people and the con-
gress had clamOred for decisive action on
the part Of the president long before this
time, and none had been more clamor0us
than the Democratic members OF congress.
The president knew the unprepared eOndl.
tlon OF the country for war. and he fully
realized that this nation would not be Jus.
tined In the eyes Of humanity or the world
- A~@thb Wui uhNAl al FAVtlB W oCNuNt
a redress Of grievances BY peaceful meAnA
had been exhausted. During this delay, and
for weeks prior 10 the 10Th OF April, every
effort was made to place the country In h
condition to meet the storm which threat
ened. When II did come, and the country
found Itself engaged In deadly conflict with
a foreign enemy, we had navy IN splendid
condition and fully prepared for the emer-
gency. Every nerve was then strained to re.
cruit the army and place 1t upon wal
footing. The regular army was increased
to the full limit authorized by law, ana
calls were made for 10000 volunteers. The
response Of the country was most patriotic,
aud the ranks Of the army were speedily
filled By young men who were anxious to
defend the honor Of our flag.
A Herculean Task.
The task which confronted the president
was herculean, but he seized hold Of It with
an energy and with an ability which were
most admirable. He knew no rest, day or
night, until the war ended. An army Of
10000 men was organized, armed and equip
ped and supplied with subsistence in an In.
credlbly short period Of time The great
victory Of Dewey, which for dash, bravery
and complete success outshone all other
naval achievements In history, ushered in
the month Of May and destroyed the Span.
fish feet In Manila bay.
In the first days Of July were recorded the
victories Of our brave and sklIlful soldierS
at Bl Caney and San Juan.
One OF the bravest and most skillful SOL
diers Of that gallant army, Governor BOose-
welt, Is on this platform today. and desire
that you, here and now, show your appre-
clauOn Of his great services to our country
by giving him three Of the loudest cheers
ever heard In the state OF Ohio.
Splendid Record of Our Army and Navy.
We had hardly realized that great vic
tory had been won by our army before the
news came that Cervera's feet was at the
bottom Of the sea, of Santiago. victim Of
the skill and bravery Of our sailors, guided
and directed by the most efficient naval CON-
In less than 100 days the power
OF proud and arrogant Spain was broken,
and she was at the feet Of the republic!
Most complete success had been secured.
We canDot give too much credi, TO our
koldIers and sailors and the splendid officers
who commanded them But the people
should not forget, and do not, that behind
them all, with anxious heart and steady
nerve, guiding every movement, stood the
comma nder.in-chlef Of the army and the
navy, the president Of the United States
the great son of ohio-william Mckinley.
The Treaty of Peace.
Speedily following these great victories
came an armlstice for the purpose Of nego-
tistlng a treaty Of peace with our fallen
foe. For conducting these negotiations on
the part OF the United States, 1ve as prll-
deRt, as learned and as patriotic men were
chosen by the president on could be found
In all the land. These commissioners were
empowered To meet with the commissioners
TO be appointed on behalf Of Spain and 10
negotiate and sign a treaty OF peace be-
tween the United States and Spain, subject
to the ratification Of their government
They met the commissioners OF Spain In
Paris, aud after long and careful thought
and consideration, the commissioners Of the
two countries. on the 10th day Of Decem-
Der. 1898, signed treaty of peace, which
did not become effective until ratified by
the senate OF the United States and the
of Spain. BY this treaty, Spain
all claim to sovereignty over
and title TO Cuba. She also ceded TO the
United States the island Of Porto Rico and
other Islands In the West Indies under
Spanish sovereignty the island Of Guam, or
the Ladrones, in the Marinnas, and also the
archipelago known as the Philippine isl.
ands.
This treaty was duly submitted to the
senate Of the United States and was duly
ratified by "A two-thirds vote on the 9Th day
Of February, 1899. Shortly thereafter 1t
was ratified by the government OF Spain,
and thus became effective.
The New Duties of Peace.
Peace was restored between Spain and
the United States, but new and important
duties were placed upon our government.
Porto Rico and the Philippine Islands came
under the protection Of the United States.
In the meantime, and while the ratification
Of the treaty was pending, a portion Of the
inhabitants OF one Of the Philippine Islands,
led by Aguinaldo, commenced war upon the
army Of the United States, which WIS oc.
cupylng and protecting the territory con-
quered from Spain.
1t will be observed that In this treaty,
Spain simply rellnquished her sovereignty
over Cuba and did not cede the island to
the United States. This provision was made
so that 1t might be apparent to everyone
that the Upited staes did not have any dis
position or intention TO exercise sovereignty,
Jurisdiction or control over said island, after
Its people had formed stable government,
and that the faith Of the country, as pledg-
ed In the resolutions adopted by the senate,
would be kept.
In the case Of the Philippine Islands and
Porto Rico, the situation is different. These
Islands became possessions Of the United
States under the treaty. They were ceded
10 the United States in consideration Of the
great damage which had been done to her,