The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-06-17
PRES. GRANrs MESSAGE ON cuBA.
TO Me SENATE and Hou.e Of R.pre.eniaiise. !.

ginning OF It's prcecnt sfrSions reteffeu 70 sno
contest which had for more than year existed
In the Island Of Cuba, between . portion Of its
inhabitants and the Government OF Spain, and
to the feeling and sympathies Of the people and
Government Of the United States for the people
Of Cuba, as for all people who were struggling
for liberty and sclEgovernment. and said that
the contest ut no time assumed the conditions
which amount TO war in . sense OF international
law, or which would show the existence Of .
de faeto political organization Of insurgents
sufficient to justify the recognition Of belliger-
ency. During the six months which have pass
Ell since the date Of the message, the condition
Of the insurgents has not improved, and the
instruction itself. although not subdued, eI-
hbits no signs Of advance, but seems to be con-
fined 10 an irregular system Of hostilities carri-
ell on by small and lily armed bands Of men,
roaming without concentration through the
woods and space. by the populated regions OF
the Island, attacking from ambush conveys and
small bands Of troops, burning the plantations
and estates Of those not sympathiIing with
their cause. But II the instruction has not
g,inei ground, Il Is equally true that Spain
has not suppressed II. The climate, disease
and an occasional bullet have worked destruc-
ton among the soldiers Of Spain, and although
the Spanish authorities have possession OF ev-
rry seaport and every town on the Island, they
have not been able tosubdue the hostile feeling
which has driven considerable number Of the
native inhabitants of the Island to armed re-
sistance against Spain, and still leads them to
endure the dangers and privstions Of the roam
ing life of guerrilla On either side the con-
test has been conducted and is still carried on
with lamentable disregard Of human life,
and Of the usages and practices which modern
civilization has prescribed in mitigation Of the
necessary horrors Of war. The torch Of the
and the Cubaus are alike busy in
carrying devastation over the fertile regions.
Murderous and reveugeful DEGREES are issued
and executed by both parties. Count Valmase-
da and Colonel Bot, Of Spain, have each startled
humanity and aroused the indignation OF the
civilized world by the execution each OF q score
of prisoners ut tune, while Gen. Quesada,
Cuban chief, cody and with apparent uncon-
sciousness Of aught else than proper act, has
admitted the slaughter, by his own deliberate
order, in one day. of upward Of $50 prisoners
of war. A summary trial. with few II any
escapes from conviction, followed by immedi-
ate execution, Is the fate Of those arrested, on
either side. on suspicion OF in6delty to the
party making the arrest. Whatever may be
the sympathes Of the people or the government
Of the United States for the cause or the objects
for which part Of the people Of Cuba are un-
destood to hare put themselves In armed re-
sistance to the people Of Spain, tn ere can be
no Just sympathy In conflict carried on, by
both parties alike, in such barbarous viola
ton Of the rules Of civilized nations, and with
such continued outrage upon the plainest prin-
ciple of humanity. We can not discriminate in
our ceusue Of the mode Of conducting the cen.
test between the Spaniards and the Cubans
Each commit the same atrocities, and outrage
alike the established rules Of war. The proper
ties Of many Of our citizens have been destroyed
and enlarged, the lives of several have been
sacrificed and the liberties Of others have been
restricted.
In every case that has come to the knowledge
Of the Government, an early and earnest de-
mand for reparation and indemnity has been
made, and the most emphatic remonstrance has
been presented against the manner In which the
strife is conducted, and against the reckless dis
regard Of human life, the wanton destruction of
material wealth, and the cruel disregard Of es-
tablished rules Of civilized warfare. / have,
since the beginning Of the present session Of
Congress, communicated to the House Of Repre-
upon their request, an account Of
bringing this sad conflict to an end, and for Sc
curing to the people Of Cuba the blessing and
the right Of an independent self-government
My efforts thus made have failed, but not with
out an assurance from Spain that the good Of
fees Of this government might still avail for
the objects to which they have been addressed.
r.. III.
bition has been made Of Cubans escaping from
the Island. and avoiding the risks Of war, con-
In this country Mt safe distance from
the scene Of danger, and endeayoring to make
war from our own shore, TO urge our people
into fight which they avoid, and to embroil
tins government into complications and possibly
hostiltics with Spain. II can scarce be doubt
cd that this last result Is the real object Of these
parties, although carefully covered under de-
ceptive and apparently plausible demand for a
mere recognition Of beligerency. II Is stated,
on what have reason to regard as god author,
ity, that Cuban bonds have been prepared to a
large amount, whose payment has been made
dependent upon the recognition Of the United
States Of either Cuban beligcrency or indepen-
lence. The object of making their value thus
entirely contingent upon the action Of this Gov
eminent is q subject for serious reflection. In
determining the course TO be adopted In the de
nand thus made for the recognition Of beliger-
sncy, the liberal and peaceful principles adopted
by the Father of his Country and eminent states
men Of his day, followed by succeeding Chief
Magistrates and men Of their day, may furnish
A sufficient guide TO those Of US now charged
with the direction and control OF the public
safety. From 1889 TO 1916 the dominant
thought Of our statesmen was 10 keep the United
States out of the wars which were devastating
Europe. The discussion of the measures of neu-
tralty Legins with the State papers OF Jefferson
he Was Secretary of State. lie shows that
they are measures of national right rs well as
national duty, but the misguided individual
,itizens cannot be tolerated in making war ac-
,orjling to their own caprice, passions and in
erests on foreign sympathies; that agent Of
foreign governments recognized or unrecognized
cannot be permitted TO abuse our hospitality by
the functions Of enlisting and equip
ing military or naval forces within our territory.
Washington inaugurated the policy Of neutrality
md of absolute abstinence from all foreign en-
tangling alliances, which resulted, In 1874, in
The first municipal enactment for the observance
II neutrality. The duty Of opposition TO fill
clustering has been admitted by every President.
Washington encountered the efforts Of Genet
md the French rcvolutiorists; John Adams the
projects Of Miranda (; Jefferson the schemes Of
Aaron Burr. Madison aud subsequent Presi-
Tents had to deal with the question Of foreign
enlistment or equipment in the United States,
md since the day Of John Quincy Adams II has
been one Of the constant cares Of the Govern
meut Of the United States to prevent piratical
arainst feeble South American 70
publics nom leaving our shores. In no country
are men wanting for any enterprise that holds
but the promise Of adventure or gain. In the
,arly days Of our national existence the whole
continent Of America, outside Of the United
States, and all its islands. were In colonial de-
pendencc upon European powers.
The revolutions which, from 1910. spread al
most simultaneously throughout the Spanish
American continental colonies, resulted In the
Of new States, and, like ourselves,
II European origin, and interested In excluding
European politics and the question Of dynasty
nj balance of DoNer frOm further Influence In