New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-12-27
IN ADDRESS
TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE IN BEHALF OF THE
REPUBLIC OF CUBA.

Under the monarchical system OF government
which prevailed when Cuba was discovered, IL was
claimed the property Of the Spanish Crown because
Columbus the discOyerer was In the service OF spain
Whether claim just not 1t has been acquesceo
in by tho other OF the civilized world FROM
that time until tho present, 1t has been governed as o
colony of Spain. The Government Is one OF extreme
tyranny. IL Is similar to that extended over the oou
American provinces when under her control When ad-
vocang recognition Of their independence Henry Clay
thus denounced the tyranny of Spain: "Whereyer her
sway extends, everything seems to pine and wther De-
meath its baneful influence The richest regions OF the
earth man. his happiness and his educaton all the nne
faculties Of his soul regulated modified ana inooeu
to suit tho execrnble OF an memorable despot
ism" AS 1t then 1t Is to-day IL is useless 70 par
tcuarize. Every intelligent American knows that inc
native Cubans in alject condition. by reason
~ this nfamous Government than the serfs Of Rus
sa.
The colonial system established by England over her
American colonies liberal and benign In comparison
with IL; yet ON, fathers determined that they would not
submit TO Its exactiOns In their Declaration OK lnde-
pendence tho right OF lfe liberty, and the pursuit OF
happiness claimed for all men, and that govern
ments must derive their powers from the consent Of the
governed" All these denied to the people Of Cuba
An effort Is being made by large majority OF that
people TO establish for themselves government indie
pendent OF Spain That they have the right to do So no
American at least will deny. II was well said by MI
be questioned the United states, 1t 49, that every ma
ton has right to abolish old government, and to
establish This principle is not only recorded
In every archfve. written In every American heart and
sealed with the blood Of host OF American martyrs but
1t the only lawful tenure by which the United states
hold their own existence as a nation"
The people OF the United States, enjoying TO an extent
never before realized, the blessings OF free government
have always sympathized with every movement made
for the establishment Of similar government In the
speech OF Mr. Clay already quoted. he said: From the
Utmost OF my SOUL wsh them the South Amer
icans) their independence may DO accused OF an I'M
prudent utterance Of my feelings this occasion:
care not When the independence the happiness, the
liberty Of people Il at stake and that people our
Notwithstanding example and our aspirations
for freedom-H will boldly ayowi my feelings. even at
the hazard OF such an imputation."
In reply TO the French Minister'S address presenting
tho coors OF France Washington saId My sympathetic
feelings and best wishes irresisbly excited when
ever In any country, oppressed people unfurl
the banner OF freedom"
In his speech OF recognizing the independence
OF Greece Mr. Webster said Does 1t not become u.s.
then-is 1t not duty imposed upon us-to give our
weight the side OF liberty and Justice to let mankind
know that we are not tired OF institutions T.
The great conflict OF the age Is between absolutsm on
the one hand and government for the People aud by
the People on the other II be possible for any
true American 10 be Indifferent rs 10 the result.
times n grave question when and how far
ton has a right assist tho subjects OF another
who revoted and implored that assistance IL IL
said by yateD that assistance may be Afforded eoHss
with ne Lao Of ndoHs In extreme cases" IL this DO
true IL would DO dieult to show that the course
pursued by the Spanish Crown toward the people Of Cuba
presents that extreme Of jusnAble assistance.
Again: IL Is n rule recognized by the law Of nations
that when civil Is regularly ostablIhed In aIeoun
try. and when nation In divided into conflicting armies
and opposing camps the two parties In such may be
dealt with by other powers II they separate
munities; and that slch other powers may ako part
with side the other Rccordingo their sympathIcs
and interests Just they might in war between In
dependent nations"
Admt however that good faith toward Spain prevents
our active participation In behalf OF tho struggling
Patriots In Cuba 1t does prevent national recognition
OF the historical fact that such struggle existe and
progress We have a right through Congress- require
the President TO recognize the existence Of civil IN
that country and 70 extend TO each Of tho parties by
proclamation, all the rights TO which they are entitled
by the law of nations equal parties to that
This Is all that asked OF us by the Cuban Patriots.
or this Spain would have just night 10 complain.
Recognition alone Of that fact without aid Is Just
| cause for war or complaint.
Prior 10 the recognition OF the independence OF tho
Spanish colonies In South America, during the existence
of The eir ar beipeen Spain and her colonies this ras
the declared policy Of the United States shown by
the following extract from President Monroes special
message 10 Congress- OF March 8, 1872; ...
"The revolutionary IN the Spanish provinces
In this hemisphere attracted the attention and excited
the sympathy OF fellow citizens from It's
from causes which need not be communicated 10
you. IL has been gratifying to all to the
ip lhe policy which the constituted authorities have
deemed it proper to pursue IN regard 20 Gs sep'ssH
ste' form, az 10 make he success Of ne prornees pro6a
DE, Tho rights 10 pheh they entitled BY The lao Of
them. Each party permitted to enter ports with
its public and private shps and to take from them every
nations. Our citizens, also, have carried on commerce
with both parnes and the Government has projected 4
the whole Of this contest the United States have
partially all the obligations incident TO that character
Why not pursue the toward the parties 10
the conflict In Cuba s the Of Cuban Patriots less
just than was that OF the South American Parotsi The
wrongs and expressions inflicted upon them by spain
have been longer endured than by the South Amer
leans. 81 -aHeH Jr- ..H
An effort has been made, and Is making. prompted
no doubt by Spanish emssares, to mIslesd the public
mind 10 relation to the strength and progress Of the
olutlon, and the probable success Of the Patriots
The contestants In Cuba stand upon unequal terms be-
fore our Administration. Spain represented by Min.
lister fully recognized and IN daily Intercourse with tho
Secretary OF State. Although the Patriots have a
representative, he is not recognized Having official
position, no can have but little influence. The
Spanish Minister, In duty bound, undertakes the Pa
riot strength and Government Of the ability
OF Spain 20 crush 10. aa. t a..II.I egg t
II snow during tho progress OF thcrevolutlon
the South American provinces The of infor
nation almost solely controlled by the Spanish a-
thorties and hence is that Spanish victories great
ly magnined aud those obtained by the patriots a
most entirely ignored
The true condition OF Cuban affairs is as follows:
In 1865, IN the hope OF procuring anieliora,on OF