, 1872-12-27

f. to her cnoablity. Tho world. therefore, owes
her not only ig sympathy with her cause, but
respect for and Difference to what she declares to
bo her Interchangeable will.
Con1ningled with thoao powerful md elevated
REASONS for recognizing Cubas right to SELF
government, is another and still more elevated
consideration, both in virtue Of its direct pur-
pose and the general interests attached to it.
Cuba, when seated on the bench Of natious, does
not solely mean another nation inscribed ON the
list it means also tho final and absolute disap-
penranco On this continent OF thai stigma 10
disgraceful to the whole human race, slavery,
the cause alike of tho shame and opprobrum Of
the civilized world. and Il disturbing clement to
tho FREQ lnbor Of these countries.
The Government Of Colombia, therefore,
deems itself perfectly justified in proposing, as
the acceptation of this American idea-that ali
the Governments Of Spanish America, in unison
with that of Washington, should inaugurate
common action to entreat from Spain that she
recognize the self-goyernment Of Cuba TINT
for this purpose such Governments ns have
diplomatic agents accredited to Washington
should forward to them instructions to this
effect, and THAT such Governments as have
no such agents shall accrcdit such for the
purpose.
the views Of the meditatiny Governments in the
ehapo of tho enormous losses to her treasury
which have accrued from her endcayors to ter
inmate the war, md should this bo the caso tho
obstacle can be easily romoved-lot these Same
Governments subscribe tho necessary sum pro
rata Such course will have no further meau-
ing than q desire to effect the proposed object,
because the perfect right OF Cuba to constitute
herself into nation onco admitted, my price
paid for its ransom is devoid alike OF reason and
justice.
ALI the peoples Of America must necessarily
deem the cause for which solicit tho protection
Of their Government rs essentially their own,
and the assistance which have Indicated, which
is certainly far from being the most eficacious
which could be rendered, is simply the help Of
brothers to abrother and, Of course, could exact
no repayment. Nevertheless, were it indis-
pensa6le, Cuba, which is still rich enough, might
at no distant day, repay the debt thus contracted
with the mediating Governments.
Should this idea of mediation be accepted, as
| the Government Of Colombia trusts it will be,
the first step will be to 1egularize the war by
aboliehing conigcation, the ecaffold, end al
other means unadnittcd in Legitimate warfare
for as the negotiation for the termination of the
| strife may be more or less protracted, no emal
good will have been effected if, meanwhile, the
war shall have been humanized.
Such, sir, are the ideas on which my Govern
| ment wishes to deal with tho Cuban question
and:imbued, as it is, with them, it likes to be-
| lieye that it will meet with decided help from
| those which it addresses, for it is no part o1
| brotherly and Christian peoples to stand quietly
| by and contemplate unnoved O work of repres
| aion 80 cruel and devastating as the one undel
consideration. Very respectfully your Excellen
cy's servant, jill CoLuSJE,
| Secretary Of State