Rensselaer Republican, Volume 28, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 December 1896 — PULSE of the PRESS [ARTICLE]

PULSE of the PRESS

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE. New York. So he presents a heaping peck of tronbles 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, re. store domestic prosperity, faithfuily comply with the neutrality laws and let Cuba 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 ful 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 ijelriod of power remaining to him.— Sun. The message as a whole is a creditabio ■ document* —lts stylepia-open tp'oritficism, but it is 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 the hypothetical condition which he sets forth as one that would justify and comp*] American intervention is* wholly indistinguishable from the ~conditions now actually existing as described in the message' itself.—World. ChicagoHis 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 to protect American Interests in Cuba and the interests of civilization 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 and permission to continue its hideous, work of murder and ruin.— Tribune. Of the prospect of armed intervention, in case of all other means of pacifying Cuba fail, the President speaks with the utmost frankness and good sense. It is a contingency that, however deplorable it may be, has not been overlooked by levelheaded people.—Times-Herald. London.

Spain had better accept Mr. Cleveland’s friendly counsel ns Mr. McKinley is not likely to be less exacting than Mr. Cleveland. Altogether, it is a dignified and able message.—Standard. President Cleveland’s argument is clear enough. No country possesses the right to foster- a perpetual source of trouble, and Spain must either grant autonomy or sell. Spain, however, will probably refuse to do anything of the kind.—Daily News. We believe the time has passed when the Cuban insurgents will accept any solution placing Spanish officials over them, even nominally: There is no mistake, however, about the warning President , Cleveland addresses to Spain.—Chronicle. The tone and spirit of the message aro worthy of ail praise. It is a pity that tho moderation and balance of mind which Mr. Cleveland has just displayed were not more conspicuous last year, when he startled two continents by a menace of war. —Times. - In General. , On the whole, the message will be regarded as rather commonplace.—lndianapolis Journal. i President Cleveland adds to his well- a earned reputation as a sound financier in his attack on our financial methods. —St. Louis Star. Mr. Cleveland’s last message will add nothing to his fame, and will be a source of gratification to his enemies.—Kansas 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 that this Government, under his administration, will favor tho annexation of Cuba.—Minneapolis Journal. * It maintains (in regard to Cuba) a calm judicial attitude, which disregards neither facts uor 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 Nvhen he declares that this Government should object to any other nation Siterfering in Cuban affairs or acquiring.- the island.— Toledo Blade. Until the inability of Spain to end the war is manifest, until her sovereignty iu Cuba is extinct, or until “the situation is by other incidents imperatively cbuqged,” Mr. Cleveland will do nothing. This is the true policy.—Milwaukee Sentinel. In every feature and detail of the message Mr. Cleveland maintains the in vincible loyalty to the American public which he has manifested from the first moment of his advenUTnto 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. j if Especially noteworthy is his statement thnt “by the. course of events we may be drafvn into such an unusual and unprecedented conflict as will fix aijimit to our patient waiting for Spain to end tlfe contest, either alone nnd in her own way or with onr friendly co-operation.” Spain cannot fail to understand the warning conveyed in these words.—Duluth H«r-