The New York herald., 1870-02-16
Impertans from Washinsten About Cssa-
Ths Time for Actloa Has Gomez

Cuba Is looming up. The Senate COmmlttee
on Foreign Affairs had yesterday long discus
sion on the resolutions that had been previously
referred to 1t on the question OF concedlng
belligerent rights to Cuba and the repeal or
modification of the neutrality laws. 1t Is
asserted that the committee regards It clear
now that the time has arrived when the Cuban
insurgents should be recognized as belligerents,
though the matter is deferred till the next
meeting of the committee. It is understood,
too that General Banks, the chairman OF the
House Committee on Foreign Affairs, is prepar-
ing to report shortly recommending some action
favorable to the Cuban cause Leading and
prominent men Of both Houses are moving In
this matter, and hardly DAY passes that some
telling speech or motion is not made for recog-
nizing the belligersncy or independence OF
Cuba. At the same time the press and people
of the country are active. Leagues and
societies are being organized to promote Cuban
independence. In connection with these
movements we notice that Ben Wade. the
sterling and brave old republican leader OF
Ohio, has accepted the position OF vice presl-
dent for his State Of the "Cnban Charitable
Aid Society," His letter OF acceptance Is
characteristic, and shows the same strong
common sense and love of freedom which he
always manifested. II am astonished," he
says, sat the apparent Indifference Of our great
republican party to the fate of the people OF
Cuba. Are they, indeed, weary in well doing,
o. do they still favor that timorous, halting,
hesitating policy which added more than half
to the blood aud treasure in conquering our
own rebellion and in giving liberty to our
slaves? One brave word from our administra-
tion is all sufficient to end the strife and give
peace, liberty and justice to the people OF
that island. Shall that word be spoken? we
shall bs dishonorod as u nation if il is not
But whether spoken or not Cuba must ana
shall be Free" These are noble sentiments.
They show how much the country has lost at
the present time by this courageous old states
man not being in the Senate. There is hope,
however, as we said, that Sherman, Morton,
Banks, Carpenter and others in Congress will
successfully urge the recognition Of the
Cubans
Should the news from Washington prove
true, as we hope it may, that the Senate Com
mttee on Foreign Affairs has become favor
able to the recognition Of Cuban belligerency,
Mr.. Sumner has been compelled to take back
seat on this question. His sophomorical
rhetoric, dogmatism and obstinate hostility to
Cuban freedom will prove unavailing We
may congratulate his colleagues on their good
sense, patriotism and frmness if they have
determined at last to take this independent
course. We know not yet who were the other
obstructive members of this committee that
acted with Mr. Sumner, or who may have turned
the scale in favor Of Cuban freedom We hope
Mr.. Casseriy, the distinguished Senator from
California, has ranged himself on the side of
republican liberty and against European des-
potism on this Cuban question; or, if he has
not yet, that he viii give the weight OF his
name and talents in support of the struggling
Cubans. 1t may depend upon him to turn the
scale in the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
We cannot believe that a man of his ability,
large views and love of liberty-that he who
has been the ardent friend OF oppressed Ireland,
and who was educated in New York, where
sympathy is always extended to those strug-
Cling for liberty-should prove recreant to his
principles and previous political career Nor
can we think that Senator SO young and with
such bright future before him would dig his
own political grave by fighting against popular
sentiment and by resisting the progress OF
republican freedom on American soil. Let us
hope Mr.. Casserly will oppose the narrow
ner and show himself to be the friend Of Cuban
independence.
The time for action has come. The
Cabans have maintained the struggle
for freedom for more than eighteen
months against all the formidable means and
resources Of their cruel oppressors and under
the greatest difficulties. From the smallest
beginning and with very limited means they
have been gaining ground all along. A few
days ago they gained an important and deci-
sive victory over large force OF Spaniards
under one of the best Spanish generals. In
fact they broke up we'll and long prepared
campaign, and all the plans Of their enemy.
Surely people under such circumstances are
entitled to be recognized as beliigerents.
When we consider the brutal character of the
war waged by the Spaniards it is inhumanity
not to recognize the Cubans as belligerents
The atrocious and bloodthirsty conduct of the
Spaniards ought to be checked, and they
should be compelled to carry on the war like
civilized nation. Then there is really no
Spanish government over the island
worthy of the name. The brutal aud
numbering volunteers control everything.
The only respectable government is that of
the Cuban patriots. Besides, there is no
protection under the Spaniards for American
citizens or American interests. The murderous
attack on the four peaceable young men from
New York by the volunteers at Havana, and