The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1870-06-15


parties alike in such barbarouS violation
Of the rules of civilized nations, and with
such combined outrage upon the plainest
principles Of humanity. We cannot dis.
criminatc in our ccnsurc Of their mode Of
conducting their contest between Spain
md Cuba each commit the same atrOci-
ties. and outrage alike the established rules
OF war. The property of many Of our clti'
zens has been destroyed or embargoed; the
lives of several have been sacrificed and
the liberties Of others have been restrained.
In every case that has come to the know
ledge of the Government an early and
earnest demand for rcparation and indem'
nifty has been made, and most emphatic
rcmOnstranccs have been presented against
the manner in which the strife is conduct
ed, and against the reckless disregard OF
human lie, the wantOn destruction Of
material wealth, and the cruel disregard
of established rules Of civilized warfare.
Ihavo, since tho beginning of tho prOsont
session of Congress, communicated to the
House upOn their request, IN account OF
the steps which have taken in the hope
of bringing the conflict to an end, and for
securing 10 the people Of Cuba the bless
ings and right Of Independence. The ct'
forts thus made have failed, but not with
out assurance from Spain that the good
offices of this Government might still
avail for the Oblects.t0 which they had
been addressed. ah
During the whole contest the remarka-
bic exhibition has been made Of large
number Of Cubans escaping from the
island and avoiding the risks of war, con
rrcgatipg in this country at asaie distance
! from the scene Of danger, and cndeavoring
10 make war upon our shorcs-to urge
our people into fight which they avoid,
and to CmbrOil this Government into COM
plcations and possible hostilities with
Spain. It can scarcely be doubted that
this last result is the real object of these
parties, although carefully covered under
the deceptive and apparently plausible de-
mand for the recognition OF bclligercncy.
1t is stated, on what | have reason TO
regard us good authority, that Cuban
bonds have been prepared to u large
amount, whose payment is made de-
pendent upon the recognition by the
| United States Of Cuban bclligGrcncy or
independence. The object Of making
their value thus entirely dependent upon
the action of this Government is subject
for serious reflection in determining the
course to be adopted on the demand thus
made for recognition Of brlligercncy. The
liberal and peaceful principles adopted by
the father OF his country, and the eminent
statesmen Of his day, followed by succeed
ing Chief Magistrates and the men OF their
day, may furnish safe guide TO those OF
the United States now charged with the
direction and control Of public safety.
From 1889 to 1915 the dominant thought
of our statesmen was to keep the United
States out Of the wars which were devas-
tating Europe.
The discussion Of measures OfnGutrallty
begins with the State papers OF MIR. Jet
ferson, when he was Secretary OF State.
lie shows that they were measures OF ma
tional right as well as of national duty;
that misguided Individual citizens cannot
be favored in making war according 10
their own caprice, passions and interests
for foreign sympathy, that the agents OF
foreign governments, recognized or un-
recognized, cannot be permitted TO abuse
our hospitality by usurping the functions
of cnlisting or equipping military or naval
forces within our territory. Washington
inaugurated the policy Of neutrality and
Of absolute separation from all foreign en-
tanrling, which resulted in 1904 in the
first national enactment for tho observance
Of neutrality. The duty of opposition to
flbustcrinG HIS been admitted by the
President. 1t has been one of the con-
stant cares Of the government IN the
United States 10 prevent pirahcal cXpe-
ditions against the feeble South Ameri'
can republics from leaving our shores, III
no country are men wanting for any en-
terprisc that holds out the promise OF ad-
venture or gain. In the early days OF our
national existence the whole continent OF
America outside of the United States anu
all its islands were colonial dependents
upon European powers. The revolutions
which, from 1910 spread almost simul-
tancously throughout the Spanish, Amer
can continental colonies, resulted IN the
establishment of new States, like our:
selves OF European origin, and Interested
in excluding European politics ana ques,
tions of dynasty and balance OF power
from lurthcr influence on the new world
The American policy Of neutrality, I'M
portaut before, became douOly so from
The fact that it became applicable TO the
new republic as well as TO the mother
country, II then dcvolvCs upon us to de-
lernine tho great international question,
at what time and under what circum'
stances to recognize new power ms emit
tied TO place among the family OF nations,
MS well MS the preliminary question OF the
attitude TO be observed by this govern
mcnt towards the insurrectiOnary party
ncndinr the contest. Mr.. Monroe con.
cisely expressed the rule which has con
trolled the action Of this Government with
reference to country pending It's struggle
by saving, that rs soon rs the government
assumed such II steady and consistent
form rs 20 make the success of the pro
vince probablc, the rights 10 which they
were entitled by the laws OF nations as
equal parties to civil war be extended
TO them, The spirit of adherence to this
rule of public policy has been one Of the
highest honors OF American statesman
shin, and has secured to this Government
the confidence of the feeble powers Of this
continent, and which induced them 10
rely upon its friendship in the absence oI
ali signs of conquest, and 10 look to the
United States for example and moral pro-
lection. II has given TO this Government
a position of pcrmanence and Of influence
which it should not abdicate, but which
imposes upon it the most delicate duties
OF right and honor regarding the Ameri.
con question, whether those questions at.
feet emancipated colonies or colonies still
, subject to European dominion.
The question Of belligercncy is one o!
, fact, not to be decided by sympathies for,
t or prejudiccs against either party. The
relations between the present state Of the
insurgents must amount in fact to war in
the eyes of international law. Fighting,
though fierce and protracted, docs not
!, alone constitute war There must be
military forces, acting in accordance with
4