Democratic Sentinel, Volume 20, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 December 1896 — PULSE OF THE PRESS [ARTICLE]

PULSE OF THE PRESS

THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE. New Tork. So he preseats a heaping peck of troo« bles with scarcely a hint as to how they may be leveled to the rim of the measure.—Press. His Conclusions show beyond a doubt that he will leave to his successor the honor of taking the first step to assure Cuban liberty.—Journal. We should mind our own business, restore domestic prosperity, faithfully comply with the neutrality laws and let Ouba alone.—Commercial-Advertiser. The message writes the history of an administration and writes it with dignity and calmness. It is one of the most instructive documents ever prepared foi perusal.—Brooklyn Eagle. The only political value of the document is in its incidental disclosures of Mr. Cleveland's frame of mind as indicating his probable course during the brief period of power remaining to*hlm.— Sun. Tho message as a whole is a creditable document. Its style is open to criticism, but it la evidently animated throughout by a sincere desire to avoid offense without a sacrifice of personal dignity.—Mail and Express. As to Cuba, it is noteworthy that tho hypothetical condition which be sets forth as one that would justify and compel American intervention is wholly ' indistinguishable from the conditions now actually existing as described in the message itself.—World. Chicago. His threat to Spain will present to the European power a very clear view of this nation's attitude.—Record. The intimation that the United States will be compelled tt> protect American interests in Cuba and the interests of civilisation and peace is Important in its significance.—Chronicle. Most Americans believe that the situation is at hand and they will be Incensed rather than placated by the fatuous negotiation which the administration has undertaken In lieu of decisive action.— Journal. Reduced to its essence, he has given Spain until March 4 immunity from intervention by the United States or any other power nnd permission to continue its hideous work of murder uud ruin.— Tribune. Of the prospect of armed Intervention, in case of all other means of pacifying Ouba fall, the President epenks with the utmost frankness and good sense. It is a contingency that, however deplorable It may be, lias not* bo on overlooked by levelheaded people.—Times-Herald.

London. Spain had better accept Mr. Cleveland’s friendly counsel its Mr. McKinley is not likely to bo less exacting than Mr. Cleveland. Altogether, it is a dignified and able message.—Standard. President Cleveland's argument is clear enough. No country possesses tho right to foster a perpetual source of trouble, and Spain must cither grant autonpmy or sell. Spain, however, will probably refuse to do anything of the kind.—Daily Npws. Wo believe the timo has passed when the Cuban insurgonts will accept any solution placing Spanish offidalsPover them, even nominally, There is no mistake, however, about the warning President Cleveland addresses-to Spain.—Chronicle. The tono and of the message are worthy of all praise. It is a pity that the moderation and balance of inind which Mr. Cleveland has just displayed were not more conspicuous last year, when hs startled two continents by a menace of war.—Times. In General. On tho whole, tho message will be regarded as rather commonplace.—lndianapolis Journal. President Cleveland adds to his wellearned reputation as a sound financier in his attack on our financial methods.—St. Louis Star. Mr. Cleveland’s last message will add nothing to Ids fame, and will be a source of gratification to his enemies.—Kansae City World. It is characterized by the same strong common sense that has been such a marked feature of all his state papers.— Peoria Herald. President Cleveland’s message is a forcible reiteration of views that he has long held in most of the subjects treated. —Indianapolis Sentinel. The President gives very little encouragement for any hope thnt this Government, under his administration, will favor the annexation of Cuba.—Minneapolis Journal. It maintains (in regard to Cuba) a calm judicial attitude, which disregards neither facts nor obligations founded on them. Sentiment is acknowledged, but not admitted as a ground of action,—Milwaukee Journal. Mr. Cleveland is in accord with public sentiment in the United States when ho declares that this Government should object to any other nation interfering la Cuban affairs or acquiring tho island.— Toledo Blade. Until the inability of Spain to end tho war is mnnifest, until her sovereignty ia Cuba is extinct, or until “the situation ia by other incidents imperatively changed,” Mr. Cleveland will do nothing. This is the true policy.—Milwaukee Sentinel.. In every feature and detail of the message Mr. Cleveland maintains the invincible loyalty to the American public which he has manifested from the first moment of his advent into public life—■ Cincinnati Commercial-Tribune. President Cleveland’s last annual deliverance to the Congress of the United' States is a sober, thoughtful and statesmanlike survey of national affairs.— Detroit Free Press. Especially noteworthy is his statement that “by the course of events we may be drawn into such an unusual and unprecedented conflict-as will fix a limit to our patient waiting for Spain to end the contest, either alone and in her own way or with our friendly co-operation.” Spain cannot fail to understand the warning conveyed in these words.—Duluth Herald.