Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-02-18
CUBAN RELLlGERENCr

The resolve iatrosiaeri by Mr., Ranks
ia,e The uHa>s retosvisi2s :As Cuban pa
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manifested as sass>A power II ve>sss&ast>e
rs ever. Ii the Cutan cause were vao; ons
of large reSpectabili,y and strength. there
would be no need OF the heavy reintorrt-
ments sent from Spain and the fleet OF
gunboats which that government has been
obliged to build, in order 10 bring the
rebels to terms. The heavy outlay and
effort put forth to quell the rebellion are
evidences that it is no feeble affair. Ii is
not a mere insurreetion. but maniiests the
strength and organization of 4 powerful.
well-conducted and permanent movement.
sustained by the mass of the people of the
island The time which it has been able
to withstand the forces brought against it
is an argument to show its strength.
Other governments must take notice of
these facts. England, France and Spain
did not wait one fourth part of the time
that Cuba has been struggling, to grant
belligerent rights to the rebels in the
Southern States. If they were not hasty
to accord belligerency in three months
from the commencement of the rebellion,
we surely should not be to grant the same
right to Cuba after fifteen months of sue
cessful resistance to the military strength
of Spain.
The murder of an American citizen in
the streets of Havana is an act that chal-
lenges the attention of our government.
How long shall we stand by with folded
hands and throw the weight of our influ-
ence in favor of the power whose subjects
think it no harm to shoot down American
citizens in cold blood? The protection of
the individual is the glory as well as the
duty of the government. Reparation may
be offered by the Spanish government.
but there is an affront to the dignity of our
nation under the circumstances that seems
to call for something more than the usual
atonement. This man was murdered be-
cause he was an American citizen, because
he was supposed to sympathize with the
Cuban insurgents. His nationality stamped
him as one who was opposed to the OPP
preston Of despotic governments, and on
account of his nationality he was murder
ed. Are we still to favor the tyrants who
hate us and turn our backs upon those
patriots who are striving for freedom and
independence? This is the question be-
fore Congress. The Administration is re-
luctant we know to assume responsibility
in the Cuban fight, and properly so, but
there is point beyond which forbearance
would be pusilanimity. We owe it to the
world to reach our hands to people every
where who are striving to conquer higher
place in the social and political system.
The hope of republican institutions the
world over centres in us. If we have
nothing but fair words to offer when the
opportunity to extend free institutions is
presented we are weak guardians of the
great trust which is committed to US. We
have now the opportunity and good right
to recognize the belligerency of the Gu
bans, and we think there should be little
hesitation in taking the step.