The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1869-06-30
cnha and the United states.

The attention of the American people is
now more directed to Cuba than to any
other part of the world. The gallant strug-
gle of the Cubans against their oppressors
has enlisted every sympathy of our people.
When first the Cuban revolution was inau-
guratcd it was upon so small basis, and
under such disadvantageous circumstances,
that. while Americans wished for its sue
cess, they scarcely deemed it probable.
Since three months have passed, and the
revolution instead of losing, has rapidly
gained ground. The half clad, half armed
guerilla bands have swelled into regiments
and armies, fully armed and equipped. The
whole Cuban people are unit in their OPP
position to Spanish rule. The contest is
thus proved to be not mere outbreak by
few malcontents, but revolution-an up
rising ofthe people of Cuba against ty-
ranny they have ever hated.
In the successful progress of the cause
the Cubans are greatly indebted to the SYM
pathy of the American people. By it they
have been enabled to arm and equip their
own fighting men, and have received rein
forcements of wcl-armed and splendid
fighting men from the United States The
soldier of the Union and the soldier OF the
rebellion now fight side by side for Cuban
independence. That their bravery Will
greatly contribute to the ultimate success OF
the Cuban cause cannot now be doubted.
The Spaniards in Cuba are fast losing
their strength, and every day lessons their
chances of subduing the revolution. To
stand the least chance of conqueiing, the
Spaniards should be well-disciplined and
ably commanded Such is not the case.
The Spanish volunteers, riotous and mutt
nous, utterly defy all attempts to control
them. The Spanish generals are weak and
irresolute men who are wholly unequal to
the difficult task assigned them. In short,
there is no Spanish government in Cuba,
and in that portion occupied by them an
archy reigns supreme. The Cubans, on the
other hand, are we'll disciplined, well-offi-
cered, and enthusiastic in their cause, and
their success seems sure.
Under all these circumstances why does
not the government take some action credi
table to its character as one of the great
powers, and as the champion of the Repub-
lican form of government We dolnot wish
the government to give direct aid to the
Cubans, but simply to recognize them as
belligerents, and to allow them the same
privileges as it allows to the Spaniards. The
Cuban struggle is in every respect the same
as our revolt against the authority of Eng
land, and the Cuban revolution for the same
purpose as the American revolution. There
fore, to recognize the Cubans as belligerents,
would be in exact accordance with the prin-
ciples which have ever governed our nation.
The belief possessed by many, that it could
be made a means by which England could
justify her conduct during the rebellion, We
do not regard as well founded, the cases be-
ing entirely different.
The report that our government is infiu-
enced by the question of the feeling of the
Cubans as to annexation to the United
States, we do not believe we'll founded. That
Cuba must ultimately belong to this country
is certain, but any attempt to force the in
clinations of the Cuban people we should
regard as entirely wrong
All we desire is for the government to re-
cognize the independence of Cuba. This it
has full power to do by virtue of the reso-
luton of Congress which empowered the
President to recognize the independence of
Cuba at any time he may think proper. The
voice of the American people is in favor of
this policy, and the government can do
nothing which will make it more popular
than by recognizing the independ dee of Cuba.
The long time which has elapsed since the
inception of the revolution, the rapid in
crease in strength of the patriots, their mar
tial successes, and the evident demoraliza-
ton OF the Spaniards, make it not only pro-
per but imperative upon the United States
to recognize the independence of Cuba.
Will the government listen to the voice of
the people9