The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1870-06-22

prisoners have been led forth anC
shot like dogs, while their Leaders
have been strangled by the garrote
The wal has dwindled into a contes
of vengeance and determination, anC
the only question now is, how Ions
can such a contest go on without tn,
interference of civilized States? The
humane of all parties have been anx
iously looking to the administration
OF President Grant for a long time
to take some decided steps to CHECK
the sanguinary conduct of the Span
ish troops, by giving to the insur
gents, at least some evidence of oul
sympathy by extending to them the
right of belligerants. Just, as these
expectations have been, the sphinx of
the White House remained silent
He had no sympathy for white Gu
bans, but had plenty of bowels for the
fair sons sdaughters of Africa
At LAST hugh his Interpreter,
Caleb Cushing, a man of honeyed
words, and most fiatter1ng JUNCTION, he
has removed the veil-has declared
his position-has given the patriots
over to destruction-proposes to
let the Spanish brigands, and the
helpless rebels continue the slaughter,
till one party or the other is exhaust
edl And why? In his special mes
sage he says.
"On either side the contest has
been conducted, and is now carried
Cd, with a lamentable disregard of hu
man life and of the usages and prac-
tees which modern civilization has
prescribed as the necessary process of
war. The war of Spaniard and Gu
ban is alike bringing devastation ever
fertile regions. Murderous and e
vengeful DEGREES are issued and exc
cuted by both parties.
Count Vafmaseda and Colonel Bal
ton, on the part of Spain, have each
startled the humanity and aroused the
indignation of the civilized world by
the execution, each of a score of pris-
oners at a time, while General CUES
ada, the Cuban chief. coollY and with
apparently has permitted
the slaughter by his own deliberate
order, in one day, of upward of six
hundred and fifty prisoners Of war.
A summary trial, with few, if any.
escapes from conviction, confirmed by
execution, is the fate of those arrested
ON either side on suspicion of infideli-
ty- to the cause of the party makieg
the arrest
Whatever may he the sympathies
of the people, or of the Government
of the United States, for a cause or
objects for which a part of the people
of Cuba are understood to have put
themselvesin armed resistance to Spain
there can be no question. Just SYM
pathy in a conflict carried on by both
parties alike, in such barbarous viola
ton to the rules Of civilized nations,
and with such combined outrages up
on the plainest principles of humani-
ty.
We can not discriminate in our
censure of their mode of conducting
their contest between Spain and Gu
ba. Each commits such atrocities
and outrages alike against the estab-
lished rules of war"
And yet, Gen. Grant proposes no
interior ence in favor OF putting a stop
to such barbarities, and simply be-
cause, the patriots have gained no
signal advantage over the Spanish Il
There is logic and statemenship for
you! IF we are to wait until a de-
facto government is formed, the entire
people of the Island may be EXTERN
inatedl Nevertheless, every civilized
power on the globe is in duty bound to
demand that the barbarities commit
ted by the Spaniards. and those in re-
taliation, by the patriots. shall cease,
and if war must go on, that itshall be
according to the rules that
govern civilized peoples.
To pursue any other policy towards
the Cubans, is to throw a wet blank
ct on their aspirations for liberty,
and to disregard all the rules of civil
lied war. The fact that they have,
as yet, no political organization estab-
lished, amounts, to nothing; for the
argument is equally strong against
the Spanish government which is una
bic to enforce its laws. So far, the
contest has been an even one; and it
may be years before the Spanish can
starve out, and subdue the rebellion.
Independent of this, it is about time
the effete Spanish authorities should
take their leave of the western world.
Wherever a Bourbon rules, and wher-
ever Spain holds possessions, free
and liberty are held in
chains, and progress ceases. Three
cheers for the Cubans. Let them
have liberty.
I'll tho oorrupf South