LAD #22: McKinley's War Message

When President McKinley addressed Congress in April of 1898, he advocated his belief that the Cuban-Spanish War should be ended as quickly as possible, "in the name of humanity, in the name of civilization, in behalf of endangered American interests which give us the right and duty to speak and to act."  Eventually noticing the harmfulness of these uncivil insurrections in American trade, capital, and the mindset of many fearful and head-strong U.S. citizens, President McKinley persuaded Congress to end the war by any means possible -- including the means of a neutral intervention that could cause agreement between the two OR completely sponsoring one side (as long as any forceful actions were avoided at all cost).  When mulling over the rationality and arguments behind his cause, McKinley realizes that the entire endorsement of one side is inevitable as is the eventual consequences and violence of war.  The difficulties of neutrality are that even though it is much more justifiable, it would require much more diplomatic involvement and be much more highly improbable. The fist two steps involve the U.S. recognizing its relationship with the two's conflict as both close in proximity and politics -- Cuba's people also have the rights to land, liberty, and property.  Thirdly, this call to aid is legalized by any injuries on the country itself (ex. trade, U.S. bloodshed etc.). Finally, the U.S. is called in to end hostilities when the values of the United States are in jeopardy. The two nations, being so intertwined in both economic and social spheres are related politically and it is the United States' duty, in light of disturbances and injuries such as that of the Maine explosion, to pacify Cuba. However the manner in which this goal is to be attained is ultimately left up to Congress.