The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1905-02-03
.EITZ HUCH LEES ..!E:E9QUEN'lgE 1 ] |
Was Never More NobIy Employed or More Effect
lively Used Than When He Spoke on
Mckinley and the South. ''se

| mere.
Nestled amid the ocean waves, 80
miles south of Key West, Florida, lies
the magnificent island of Cuba-"The
| Queen Of the Antilles" "The most
beautiful land, the eyes of man have
ever rested upon" said Christobal
Colon, when he discovered it. 1t was
torn with dissensions, it's great nat
ural resources paralyzed; its soil
drenched with blood. and fast becom-
ing an ash pile from burning dwell
ipgs and cane fields.
Great pressure had already been
brought by the American people on
Mr.. Cleveland's administration, to rec
ognize the belligerency of the Cuban
insurgents. 1t was at this time, that /
was asked to go to the island, as con-
sui general, and ascertain the nature
of the war then in progress between
the Spaniards. and the Cubans, pos
sibly, because l combined some civil
experience as governor of my state for
four years, and had also military
experience.
Congress had already passed resolu-
tions recognizing the belligerent rights
of the Cubans. which were then wait
ing for the presidents signature.
l do not propose to recall the STIR
ring, exciting and momentous days
with Weyler and Blanco, but rather
to say, that when Mr.. Mckinley sue
ceeded Mr.. Cleveland, naturally sup
posed that he would want one Of his
political friends in the position, then
rapidly becoming one of the most inn
portant in the diplomatic service. /
therefore, forwarded my resignation tC
your own distinguished citizen, John
Sherman, then secretary of state His
response was promptly given, and /
was told that the president was not
ready for the change. but requested
that / continue to discharge the du-
ties of the Office Later, when mat
ters grew more quiet, l obtained a
leave of absence to visit Washington,
and at the presidents invitation, went
to the white house.
!, For the first time | saw Mr.. McKin
ley. Rising from his chair, and taking
me by both hands he said-"General
Lee, l am glad that you will stand
ready at your post" The discharge
, Of your important and perilous duties
, have been worry satisfactory to me
and 1t may be pleasant for you to hear
that on a recent trip to the west. men
of both political parties, united. In
| asking me to keep you in Cuba, where
) you were rendering good service to mt
and the American people" And ther
| approaching me with that magnificent
, magnetism he possessed in such high
degree, he said, Return to Cuba, an(
, / want you to know that you have
/, the whole power of this great gov
: ernment, with its army and navy be
O hind you" -sa,-..-se-s--.
a More than that. Admiral Sicard
then in command of the fleet at Ike.
1 West, was given instructions TO ODE.
: any request might cable him for |
e ship or ships, without taking the TIM
I to first cable such request to the presi
dent, secretary of state, or navy.
< Years afterward. when l accompan
|
: ing to the launching of United State
: vessel at the shipyard below that cit,
& he turned to me and said-"Genera
n Lee, do you know that you had create
9 power placed in your hands than an
1t citizen of this great republic has eve
8 had before, for you could have defend
It ed, without further instructions, tn
h interests and lives of American citi
!, zens on the island of Cuba, shoul
= time be an important element, and tn
y emergency great" said-'I highl
is appreciated your confidence Mr.. Presi
10 dent, and didn't abuse it, 81 kne
IT you would not, when gave it to you,
ne was kind enough to reply.
!, When the war between the Unite
4, States and Spain was an acknowledge
s. fact, and American volunteers wer
J. being formed into lines, and organize
r into brigades, divisions and corps,
E. rendered me the commission of majo
ID general without any application froi
/ me, or as far as ! know. from m
y, friends. | was assigned to the cor
er mand of the 7th Army Corps, whic
id was being organized in Jacksonvill
Of Fla, being told by him, that my corr
would lead the assault upon the Hs
ly vana lines. for it was then considere
se that Havana would be the objectiy
so point of the campaign. Cerveras fe'
at having taken refuge in the ,harbor
er Santiago, made that the first obiectiN
lr point, and Skaters corps, which wi
10 also organized in Florida, was sci
al there. and the capitulation of ii
I'd Spanish troops defending that poll
IN terminated the war.
I'd AS another illustration of the la
ne presidents friendship, ! would mel
m tion that while in Florida, received
ne dispatch from the secretary of wa
to stating that the president wanted
b, see me. arrived at Washington vii
mt Lieutenant Lee, who was one of n