New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-11-27

q century later, the Spanish colonies lying
alongside Of the former British colonies
tried the same experiment Of freedom,
they met stubborn and uncompEomising
resistance to their pretensions. nor was
their independence formally recognized
for more than the third Of century after
S ain had no longer an armed man within
their limits. When Spain found the
American settlements encroaching upon
the great province Of which she then held
possession, it is affirmed by American his
torians that she encouraged the secession
Of western territories from their allegiance
to the American government, and rendered
them from New Orleans military and pc
euniary assistance. It IS undeniable that
at this period Spain was bound TO the
United States by the closest ties Of inter
national amity. Passing over the per-
haps natural jealousy with which Spain
regarded the United States when the
Standardization colonies were struggling
for independence. enough has been shown
to demonstrate want Of cordial regard on
the part Of the great republic. It might
be supplemented by narratives Of Ameri-
can citizens despoiled on Spanish terri"
cory, and committed to languish in Span
ISL prisons These last were. we may
admit, 9uly and automatically atoned for
by explanations. professions, and some
times by indemnities. Still these fela-
tions seem wanting in the frank friendship
which mark our relations with other prin.
cipal powers These have never, in peace
or war, left these relations doubtful We
come now to the object of this DISGUISE
ton, our relations with Spain as the mis-"
tress Of Cuba.
The annals Of diplomacy can afford no
example Of more faithful neutrality than
mark the relations of the United States
toward the island Of Cuba.
That Cuba considered she had the same
right Of independence A. Chill is historic
cally evident. That people in the United
States sympathized with this idea-even
as Spain herself had s.mpathized with
our own colonies-is nor surprising.
American expeditions escaping the vigi-
lance OF our authorities have landed in
Cuba to aid this struggle for separate
government. They have been seized by
Spanish authority. and American citizens
have been executed as public malefactors.
with many circumstances nos creditable in
q friendly power. nor 70 modern ideas Of
humanity. The government Of the United
States was q quiet and silent spectator Of
these acts. II the gallan: :nartyTs had
degraded themselves 20 cry aloud for as"
sistance theiy cry could almost have been
heard il their native country. They took
their lives in their hand as KoscinskC and
Lafayette had done and never finched when
successful despotism exacted the penalty
81 failure. But this volcano Of discomfort
still. shoulders in Cubs. In vain has the
government Of Spain tried to extinguIsh its
fires with blood, or 20 smother them by
oppression. It still burns. and from time
to time flashes forth with q consuming
fury. The government Of the United
States has for nearly three years borne with
this intestine struggle. It has even af-
fir.ned the doctrine Of non-interyention,
and denied the right Of nation 70 recog-
nize, prematllrely. the belligerency Of one
part of nation resisting the authority Of
another. But the United States has never
renowned the right Of such recognition
al the discretion Of each nation for itself
whenever, in its opinion. the proper time
for such recognition shall have arrived.
This is the doctrine taught D: the birth Of
American nationality. since 10 two foreign
nations arrived at the same time at the
conviction that the British colonies We're
waging o public war against the gov.
eminent TO which they had owed
allegiance. Allow US, then, 70 summon,
upon our own responsibility, two points:
I. Does the prolongatiop and present
attitude Of the Cuban Instruction justify
the United States in recognizing that in,
surrection as having passed into the stage
Of public ware This instruction has now
burned tiercely for about three years.
Spain has published frequent bulletins Of
subiugation. but sends steadily armies to
fill the ranks depleted by wounds and dis
ease. she publishes promise Of emanci-
patton. yet DEGREES the sale Of slaves for
feitaG by the rebellion Of their masters.
She appeals to the Law q nations, yet
sends her rebels and Fenians 70 the ga
yoto. when thcy have not bee! ,;isemb0w-
eled and dismembered by tie vengeance
Of her own military organization. Per.
haps this war may be continued from the
desperation Of those who lad better die
like runaway slaves il the mountains,
than suffer the ingenious ami unrelenting
vengeance with which depotism Furnishes
those who dare aspire to freedom Can civ
iiization stand by and witness such war
without the interposition Of friendly offer
If no military, certainly a moral right
exists to tender interposi.ioa al viii sub
stitute for barbarism the amenities Of
civilized warfare. But Will. Spain con.
stantly announces the Suppression Of the
rebellion, she has recently published
policy which renders this statement i'm
probable. She has decided 70 draw line
Of military defenses across TIE island Of