Speech #550169523

I know that it is natural for the American blood to flame up in anger when the flag is fired upon. I know it is natural for our race to want to fight. very often whether we have provocation or not. and whether we are right or wrong. but. sir. in this great crisis in which so much is involved. it does seem to me that those Senators who have contended from the beginning that. our policy should be to ratify the treaty first. and then deal with the results of that cession afterwards. should cause those who are responsible for the existing condition to take up carefully and calmly and seriously consider the proposition which I have just advanced: that we should either pass a resolution which. may pave the way to peace. or that we should pass none at all. This resolution. if it shall pass and be approved by the President. is nothing more. as I have said. than the coldblooded enunciation of our power. and a declarationthat wewill deal with this question from the standpoint of our interests. regardless of the rights or the wishes of those 10.000.000 Asiatics who have come under our sway. And.above all. notwithstanding the assertions which we heard here yesterday. that we I Icould not take time to enter into negotiations with the men who had pistols at our breasts. or with those. who had fired upon the flag." it appears to me that of all times in our history we could and should at this moment give forth a sound that would be generous and worthy of the great American people. Mr.