The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1870-02-23
Cuba IN Congress.

The resolution of Senator Sherman
recognizing the existence of war in
Cuba, and according to the insurgents
the rights of acknowledged beiiger-
ents, followed as it was by the clear,
pointed and admirable speech of Sen.
ator Carpenter, seems to have struck
the keynote of popular feeling toward
Cuba most admirably. Coming as it
did IN the wake of an atrocious and
causeless attack upon some of our own
citizens in Havana, the challenge
which the Ohio Senator offered to MI.
Sumner, has been backed by the plau-
dts of almost the entire press of the
country. Other circumstances have
tended to precipitate the issue. From
b first, popular sympathy has been
with the insurgents. The power of
Spain is that of an effete, bigoted mon
archy whose rule in Cuba has been a
blot upnn the civilization of this cen
fury. The cause of the Cubans has
been that of freedom against oppres-
sion. Notwithstanding all this, the
government has,felt bound to act ac-
cordfng to the requirements of inter
national law. The evidence of any
organized and determinep resistance
on part of the revolutionists wa for a
long time meagre and doubtful. They
seemed to have no army, no sources
of supply, no leaders worthy of their
cause.
In his message, the President, how
ever warm might be his sympathies
for the struggling patriots, had no re
source but the one which he adopted.
This, and the constant assertions of
Senator Sumner that there was no war
in Cuba, silenced public clamor,
until the brilliant victory of General
Jordan demonstrated that the Cubans
had a thoroughly organized an ably
commanded army, and the murder of
the American druggist, showed to
what lengths Spanish anarchy had
gone With all these facts. in view,
with the evidence of the Spanish gum
boat feet to show that Spain at least
regarded the war q formidable oneol
Sherman has proposed that
this country admit that the Cubans
a right to freedom, and that they
evineed the vitality and endurance
necessary to. stuhborn resistance against
then. enemies. This is: all hat the
involves and all that the
country would ut present desire. We
are not asked to fight against Spain,
nor in any way to violate the neutrali-
ty which We have thus far maintained.
The plea of Mr.. Sumner that such q
might become a disastrous pre-
cedent in the settlement of the Ala-4
bama claims is adroitly put, but not
relevant. The ground of our
grievance against England is not thatI
she was neutral in our war with the
south, but that she failed to be So
The other point upon which he bases
his opposition to the is
no evidence exists of a war in
To that question ample an
swer has been given. The fear of a
war with Spain should certainly have
no weight in dissuading n government
like ours from doing that which is
AT all events, whatever
may be the claims of the Cubans, the
of our own citizens should be
protected. We, ourselves, are not
grievance against the Spanish
The slightest show of sympa-
for the insurgent cause has come
70 be sufficient pretexL for immediate
assassination. Hardly has the muir
der of the New York merchant been
told before we hear of another Ameri-
IAN, Vincent Danny. of Key, West,
being shot down ut Havana for mere
relating the assassination of the ed
tor of the Voz de Cuba. Even Mr..
Sumner can hardly desire that such a
condition of things should long be suf
'ered to exist. As the ease stands the
argument is in favor of recognition
The people demand it, and Senator'S
Sherman anil Carpenter have put the
demand into an eloquent and
practical form.-CIeueIand Leader. "A