The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-03-20
Religious federation In Cuba.

10 the Editor Of The Union:
The wrongiully accused have right to demand a
hearing and ask space therefore, 10 reply TO this
tence in the lntelgencer of March nth on the religious
disability OF Cuba for annexation.
" No religion under Institutions, be tstdbishtd
By lao, and any attempt made by State legaze such
establishment the United States bound to prohibit
Now Cuba has established, exclusive egon, and will
part with only pulson. To her will produce
"a rebellion"
II such a narrow anacism did reign in Cuba the frs,
desire OF enlightened Christianity should be 10 throw
wide the door, and invite her TO enter the brig temple OF
liberty and learn nober faith at it's free and radiant
altar But Cuba is not the land of intolerance only
far the bayonets oil Spain constran her in religion,
she is constrained IN every other human right. Spain
refuses her liberty OF conscience just she refuses her
liberty Of speech and liberty OF press, She represses,
with fines and imprisonment all free discussion,
whether OF our duties 10 God, country or ourseves
but for hs the reprosch should not be directed TO the Gu
hans, who mpatienily suffer these but TO the
despo,ic government which cruey and wantonly nhics
them.
Cuba is in advance Of all Spanish America in liberal
enterprise Her prosperous railroads and active iele
graphs aes, THE the of the steam horse resounded
through her delicious coffee groves years before
SPAIN or any other land where her tongue is spoken,
heard that lid music OF the march of science. Yet we
do much less than justice TO every part oil Spanish Amer
lea in our conceptions OF her people. In the confusion
ton from the rigorous dependence OF royal colonies to the
new and complicated duties OF unlimited self government
they committed many errors from too affeconae imi-
laton OF the institutions OF this republic. The young
esquire could not endure the WELD the lance OF
the veteran and practised knight But while we de.
poe their many unhappy failures, let us remember that
among all their political errors they have never relapsed
into monarchy, practically eceded from the path OF
tolerance. The union OF church and state was so IN.
terwoyep with all their social conventions that they
knew how TO the chain at and with safety;
the form and shadow OF il remains their constitu-
TONS but in essential spirit and babiiua custom, re-
Hg,ous iosrono. prevails al III. Spanish american
pubies The Cubans share pre- emioenlly in this senti
ment, and their revolutionary chiefs always epumerate
liberty OF conscience with liberty Of press open trial. and
free representation the blessings they aspire To win for
their country. They not allowed 10 protest against
the CALLING injustice, for the right Of petition allow
ed to the natives OF Cuba but every at all acquant
ed with the sentiments and condition OF the Cubans il
aware how deeply they resent the imposition upon them
by the Crown OF Spain Of clergy alien to their soil and
uncongenisl 10 their peculiar wants. They are willing
to support the spiritual advisers OF their choce bu il is no
that they disconnected with the arbitrary col
lection OF thes by the government the name of the
cbufch
The release from this impure and despotic union of
church and state, with all IFS attendant enomities will
not "produce rebellion :; will be accepted with intel
gent gratitude II will be necessary to eoerce the
Cubans into religious freedom; they quite ready to
accept ill., and with il the privilege of choosing their own
pastors from their people, with some reference to
their fitness for The sacred charge The saia,ed Father
var.a, of whom it may truly be said,
"Nons knew him but to love him,
None named him but 10 praise,
with many other learned and exemplary priests Of the
Catholic church fell under the dsplsasure OF the SPANISH
government. and we have then now IN painful erile