LAD 22 McKinley's war message

McKinley's main message was a plea to Congress asking them to try to bring an end to the ongoing conflict in Cuba. The warfare happening was similar to wars that have been fought in the past and he did not want the US to be blamed with the reprocussions. The warfare was similar to the many other revolutions against Spain that had occurred in Cuba and McKinley said this had come at a price in the United States. Trade suffered, U.S citizens' capital in Cuba was lost, and many were just growing tired of the unrest. After three years of neutrality, McKinley demanded Spain to cease all warfare. He stated that the only way to end the war was intervention as an impartial neutral, as an active ally, or by imposing a rational compromise. He laid out the grounds for such an intervention and concluded that the U.S would be justified in intervening. He furthered his argument by stating that the destruction of the Maine was proof that things in Cuba had gone too far. "In the name of humanity, in the name of civilization, in behalf of endangered American interests," McKinley asked for permission to fully end the conflict between Spain and Cuba and also to establish a secure government on the island. Despite McKinley's well-meant efforts however, war spirit resulted in Congress sending the United States into war on the Cubans' side. McKinley obviously would have disapproved of this decision.