Notwithstanding the fact that we were on the very verge of war, with all its horrors, all its possibilities of destruction to life and happiness, the nation pursued its accustomed way, transacted its business by day, and slept peacefully at night.  Upon the shoulders of the Chief Executive rested the gravest of all responsibilities, and the nation trusted to him to carry it safely.  Rash and impetuous demands for hasty and hostile action were heard.  Congressmen, under the pressure of their constituents, filled the air with cries for speedy action, but amid all the tumult the President stood serene.  He realized, what the country, strangely enough, had not comprehended, that we were drifting into a conflict with a nation that was on a war footing.  He knew that we were totally unprepared for war.  Munitions, ships, stores, supplies, of vast amount and infinite variety, were absolutely required before a step could be taken.  Harbor defenses, a closer connection between exposed points, and the installation of modern armaments—­a thousand things had to be done, and done at once.  Modern guns required supplies of modern ammunition, of which there was scarcely any to be obtained on this side of the water.  This was the situation, as the President, the heads of the army and the navy, and the Cabinet saw it, and it was left discreetly undisclosed to the world.

They understood the necessity of delay as well as the necessity for statesmanship of the highest quality in dealing with the Cuban question.  We lost nothing by their delay.  We gained untold advantages by their prudence, a prudence that never forsook them, even when the preparations for war were completed.  The message to Congress was a calm, dispassionate, judicial presentation of the case, and upon that presentation of facts and of evidence we went before the jury of the nations of the world.  There could be but one verdict rendered that the American people could accept, and that verdict, whether it came by peace or war, was, in the language of the President’s message, that “the war in Cuba must stop!”

CHAPTER XXXVI.

Events in the American CONQRESS.

Cuba’s Friends in Congress—­Senator Proctor’s Address to His Colleagues—­A Notable Exhibition of Patriotism—­An Appropriation for the National Defense—­Relief for the Survivors and Victims of the Maine—­The Recognition of Cuban Independence.

From the date of the first attempt of the people of Cuba to secure their independence from Spain, they have had advocates in the American Congress who have worked with voice and vote in their behalf.  After the commencement of the revolution in 1895 these champions gradually increased in numbers and influence, until at the time of Mr. McKinley’s inauguration they included in their ranks many of the leaders in both houses.

In February, 1898, several Senators and Representatives went to Cuba for the purpose of studying the conditions on the island, and to gain a personal knowledge of the results of Spain’s policy of rule or ruin.