The New York herald., 1870-04-02
CUBA.

Sharp Letter from CRssius NJ. Clay 20 Gov.
ernor Palmer. Of Iilinois-Thc Duty or Amert-
cans In Aiding an Oppressed People De.
nncd.
The following Is reply of Cassus M. Clay.
President OF the Cupan Charitable Ala Society, TO
Governor Palmer, or Illinois:
New YORK, April I, 1870.
DEAR SIR:-Your letter OF the 10th of March, uiti.
mo, Is received. ! regard 1t az an evidence or tue
growing popularity OF our cause that you feel the
pubic, your REFUSAL 10 &C. - as Vice presi. as
den, OF the Cuban Charitable Aid Society.
the outies OF Governors and private citizens mere;
for II Governor would be wrong ia aiding an Oh.
pressed people 70 recover their riSht OF se-g0vern-
ment then all of US are wrong Ia doinx so. II YOU
are right in assuming that we cannot AID the Cubuns
PEA pe auss our 1 govepamenI Is az peace with spain
there Is nowhere on the cartn an injustice and tyr
amy which you could aid in overtnrowing, and
France and other European countries and subjects ala
wrong IN aiding fathers 1915 against British
oppression. which was patesnal and bencncent COM
contrary, hold that every honest man the world
over, owes every other man his moral support and
pec,inary and physical AID. so lar as may bo
consistent with his own se-preservation against
every wrong OF the aggressor.
Il IS true the foreign relations OF this republic are
entrusted 10 me federal officers; but those OicerH
are themselves but the creatures aud representa-
iives OF the people, and are bound, In reason ana
ana intelligent pubic viii. This republic is no dis
turoer Of the peace OF nations intrusive propagan-
rise In arms 10 vlndicate the very iOun-
daton principles OF our government, follow
ing the benlfcent example which We nave set them.
II 10 not only our right but duty to refrain from
aiding and abettlng their enemies, but also to give
snem our cordial sympathy and support IN all legal
wavs. That we intend TO violate LAWS OF Con.
gfess'' we have pledged ourselves In the circular
when we maze part OF our invitation, and you
VIII nnd IL hard 10 make tie Amencda people be-
!ieye that we are not the men VINO VIII stand truly
to our pledges.
The modest sentiment which our distinguished
and patriotic President ever uttered was, Let az
nave peace;' ana tnink you viii, on rerecti0n,
regret That YOU nave attempted to keep alive the
enmitie5 and distrusts OF the late unhappy rebel.
lion by your alus0n to tue past life of General Jor.
dan, who is now Commancer-in-Chlel OF the Cuban
forces. prefer 10 attribute to hiiA higher pur-
poses and the n0blesi reparatlOn that can be made
Tor his attempt to ensave one people fn the self
sacrifice he u now making In the liberation OF
another.
BY the constitution OF the 10th OF April 1859, article
twenty fourth a the Inhabitants OF the republic OF
Cuba are absolutely free" THIS constitution has
been certified as genuine by the Cuban Junta here,
men whose honor Is above question; and the demand
for the abolition Of the slave trade and OF slavery
Itself on tue part OF the CUBAN delegation 70
Madrid. In 1865, proves that this is no new
thought To serve O fraudulent purpose. / pre.
fer to attribute your distrust OF the Cuban
purposes OF emancipation to your want OF know
ledge o the facIs In the case rather than 10 that
meanest OF calumnies which some have resorted to.
OF pretending to believe n falsehood to cover M
Their own dereliction OF duty. The conclusion or
your letter leaves US TO hope that you wll res
put the noper sentiments OF your letter in
the cause OF the whole people without regard TO
party and which, representing eternal rigats must.
under the providence OF Cod. at last triumph.
am, sir, your ODedlent servsn
HIS Excsllsncy JOHN NJ PALMER, Governor Of
Illinois.