The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-05-06
PHILLIPS.

What the 'tSiIver-tOnEued Orator. Has q Say
ON International Law.
From the dnti-SLdUeTy Standard Of this toeek
We print, in another column Mr. Conway's letter,
which states, with admirable cearness, the position
Of our Governmentas to Cuba. IL has obeyed exactly
the rules OF international law. We confess our en-
tire willingness to have had the Government go
much further The rules of international law, de-
vsed by tyrantS and usurpers to enable them to per-
petuatc their own power, have little weight with
SO far as national non-interference means eav-
ing the different elements and classes of a
Daton free to arrange themselves and shape
their institutions, we value and are
disposed TO respect it. But If it is strained
TO enact that must sit by neutral and Indifferent
while one race murders another, i'll Crete or one
class enslaves another, as in Cuba we say, away
with such nonsense and atheism In the name of law
Wherever man rises for his natural rights we have
a right to sympathize with and aid him. Ciyil and
political rights must be arranged by each nation ac
soTdng to its own ideas. Men outside may and
ought TO leave such things TO settle themselves ac
cOrdng to the level OF nations intelligence. But
natural rights rest on different principles and draw
after them different duties. class battling
for them has right to all the aid we can give it.
Hence there is no likeness between our Rebellion
and the rising in Cuba. The Cuban patriot insCribes
claim the help OF all the world We would have our
Government not only promptly recognize the bell-
gerency Of the Cuban insurgents, but announce to
the world, principle OF international law, that
any rising against similar wrongs should be re-
cognized soon as they had fought long enough to
be seen and heard five hundred miles of. We deny
the existence of any Spanish institutions in Cuba
which, in the light OF our century, deserve the
is not Government A system by which
the bayOnets of men three thousand miles Off
keep million of men in subjection, robbing them
OF the fruits Of their industry allowing them no
equivalent is not government. To be worthy OF
that name and entitled to the rights OF a govern
ment, the system must discharge the duties OF a
government. 1t must foster industry, promote civil
zatiOn protect life and property, and execute JUS
| tice between man and man. No Spanish rule in
| Cuba has done this We proclaim the right of
nationality, based on justice, TO deny to Cuban
| despotism and barbarism the name and rights OF
| government. The only rightfu government in Cuba
| is found in the patriot camp. We would have Anne
| RIGA acknowledge brotherhood with it.
| We have no wish for Cuban annexation Let her
| lead the West India Confederacy If after trying
| that years hence she seeks us, then will be time
enough to entertain the question. Our only present
interest is to help nationality based equality Of
| races and emancipation.
| The same rule we have applied to Cuba condemns
the course of England during the last nine years.
She strained even the unjust and equvOcal rules of
| international law to find means OF helping slave
holding conspiracy Hating our government as pos
as corner stones of a State. We will waste no
time discussing techncalities with her. Her offense
is rank The atonement is to be full pecuniary re-
compense, and, beside, distinct, formal disavowal
of any right in future to act on the principles by
which she now seeks to defend her course Her
apology is to be consent to the remodelling OF m
ternatona law No matter how long It takes public
opinion in England to reach this Willingness. We
can wait. Meanwhile 1t is for us to act respecting
Cuba on these just and enlightened principles. II
Great Britain interferes we have, at little cost per
petual Alabama anchored of her coast, just as near
| to Liverpool as Dublin is to that port.
Twenty millions of dollars will make Ireland our
Gibraltar; every one OF VIII
be bases for our navy; 10000 men and 5000 000
make Ireland our iron-clad and every Irishman the
world over, soldier. What interest is this to us
While this lasts the House OF Commons has no lack
| of motive to do justice to Ireland "By ndirection
find direction out'-acknowledge the Cuban move
| ment. 1t frees COG, 600 Cuban slaves Let England
hasten to give Ireland something that deserves the
| name of government, which Ireland has not had
| for three hundred years. Let England know that
the very first moment she fires cannon to obstruct
| freedom or bar us from holding up struggling ma
! tons, we shall encamp in Dublin. II the thought
does no other good 1t will surely hasten justice to
Ireland, and meanwhile preserve the peace and help
! nightly towards the enfranchisement OF the world.
WENDELL PHILLIPS.