Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1853-04-13
Religious federation in Cuba.
To the Editor of the Union:


The wrongfully accused have a right to de.
mand hearing; and I ask space therefore, TO
reply to tiis sentence in the Intelligencer of
March l7th on the religious disability of Cuba
for annexation.
"No religion can, under our institutions. be
established By lap, and any attempt made by
State to legalize such an establishment The
UnitedStates are bound to prohibit. Now Cuba
has an established, exclusive religion, and will
part with it only on compulsion. To coerce
her will produce rebellion"
If such a narrow fanatcsm did reign in
Cuba, the first desire Of enligh tened Christian
ity should be to throw wide the door, and in
vite her to enter the bright temple of liberty
and learn a nobler faith at its free and radianss
altar. But Cuba is no. the land of intolerance.
only SO far as the bayonets of Spain constrain
her in religion, as she is constrained in
livery other human right. Spain refuses her
liberty of conscience just as she refuses her
liberty Of speech and liberty of press. She re
presses, with fines and imprisonment. all free
discussion, whether of our duties to God, our
country, or ourselves, but for thus the reproach
should not be directed to the Cubans, WI O i'm
patiently suffer these wrongs, but to the des
potic government which cruelty and wantonly
inhicts them.
Cuba is in advance of all Spanish America
in liberal enterprise. Her prosperous rail.
roads and active telegraphs attest this: the
roar of the steam horse resounded through her
delicious coffee groves seven years before
Spain, or any other land where her tongue is
spoken, heard that wild music of the march
of science. Yet do much less than Justice
to every part of Spanish America IN our con-
ceptions of her people. In the confusion and
anarchy resulting from 4 sudden and absolute
transition from the rigorous dependence of
royal colonies to the new and complicated du-
ties of unlimited self government, they commit
ted many errors from too affectonate imita
tion Of the institutions of this republic The
young esquire could not endure the armor or
WELD the lance of the veteran and practised
knight. But while We deplore their many
unhappy failures, let us remember that among
all their political errors they never relapsed
into monarchy. or practically receded from the
! path of tolerance. The of union church and
state was so interviewer with all .heir social
conventions, that they knew not how to cut
the chain at once and with safety, so the form
and shadow Of it remain on their consttu.
tions, but in essential spirit and habitual
custom, religious tolerance preuoils in all tn.
Spanish american republics. The Cubans share
pre-eminentIy in this sentiment. and their
| vo1, al hos
of conscience with liberty of press, open trial
and free representation as the blessings they
aspire to win for their country. They are no,
allowed to protest against the CALLING inius
tice, for the right OF petition is not allowed te
the natives Of Cuba; but every one at all ac
quainted With the sentiments and condition O.
the Cubans is aware how deeply they resen
the imposition upon them by the Crown o
Spain Of clergy alien to their soil and uncon
genial to their peculiar wants. They are will
ling to support their spiritua. advisers of thei
choice, but it is no secret that they are discon
tented with the arbitrary collection of tithc
" the government. in the namo of tn
church.
The release from this impure and despoti
union of church and state, with al! its atten
dant enormities. will hot produce rebellion
it will be accepted with intelligent gratitude
1t will not be necessary to eoerce the Cuban
into religious freedom; they are quite ready t.
. accept it, andwth it the privilege of choosing
their own pastors from their own people, will
some reference to their fitness for the sacre,
charge. The sainted Father Varela, Of whom
1t may lie truly said,
"None knew him but to love him.
None named him but to praise"
with many other learned and exemplary priest
Of the Catholic church. fell under The displeas
; ure of the Spanish government, and we hav
them now in painful exile for no other crime
because of their devotion to the cause Of civl
and religious liberty I he degrading subser
viency which the Spanish Crown exacts from
, the church in Cuba is abhorrent to the heart
of the native born Cubans; and it is harsl
aggrav alton of their cruel CHAINS to say the
are worn from choice, and tnat We would re
r sist berg deprived Of them, as if they wer
e dear and precious adornmeLts.
CORA MONTGOMERY.