McKinley's War Message LAD #18

McKinley begins his famous speech to Congress by expressing his concerns over the crisis with Spain and Cuba. He continues on by stating how the war is hurting the United States, especially in trade. Furthermore, the war has lost several dollars of capital and has let the citizens of the United States become unruly in their war efforts. He later states that a victory for either side is "impractical." McKinley continues by asking Congress later on in his speech to authorize him with the power to take measures to secure a elimination of hostilities between the Spain and Cuban governments and to make the island a "stable government." He also asks Congress to continue to send food and supplies to Cuba to prevent its people from complete destruction from the war. At the very end of his speech, he finally tells Congress that the government of Spain agreed to end hostilities in Cuba. He says if they end the war Americans will be known as "Christian, peace-loving people."