New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-01-30
Non-Intcrrcrence with Cuba.

" N9hf-N"A'N. A. ~. J-A'a- - ''"''-
To the Editor ofihe Ne,r National Era:
Some of our jealous citizens Journalists
are endeavorinc 10 coad ON the UnitcdS;a
Government to interfere with the present
struggle Of Cuba and the Spanish Govern
mcnt. Oar sympathics do often rnislcad our
Judgment and ortcntmcs oar proprIcty Of
action. Undoubtedly The North and South
have just cause TO dcplOre the existence Of
the accGrscd system OF slavery in any State
or country. The former out of its old and
tried pro,cs;ation: the latter for lis bitter
experience. Yet there j. system OF rules
governing the intercourse Of all civilized ma
lions which prcscrhcs oar own limits and
defines our duties, whenever iqucsiion arises
upon ANY subject mutually relating to ma
tons.
The Philadelphia NORTH .i~e,iro, says on
the Cuban question: THE ohstinacy with
which the home Government clings 10 the
Island j.. however, truly Spanish, and it
would toe uHtrise TO interfere at pres
cnt;' and further says: at is manifest
that our policy must be a .iudicious letting
alone" The EYuJhcm asks, "pray, why:?"
and continues "Thc logic of our cotcm-
porary is perfectly incomprchcnsible 10 us
upon any other theory than that of fear of
what spain nigh; say or do.''
l. is neither fear or cowardicc that actuatcs
the United States Government in its present
action toward Spain and its government of
Cuba, but Il Just regard for the principle of
int, no,
are equal in respect 10 each other, and cnti-
tied to c,nim equal consideration for their
rights, whatever may be their relative diEcn-
sions or strength, OF however greatly they may
differ in government. religion, or manners.
Each nation has night to govern itself
- il may thiuL proper. and no one
nation i entitled Ia take co"nizancc or no.
ticc OF the domestic administration of another
state. or of what passes within il as between
the Government and lis own subjects. u
kcnts' Commentaries, vol. ! page u. This
is sufficient to show that however the United
States Government may dcplorc the exist
cnce of slavery in Cuba. or the delay of the
Spanish Government 10 abolish the same. il
q. - cannot justly interfere without justi-
fable cause. Chancellor Kent SAYS: 1.-THE
right of interrosition must depend upon the
special circumstances of the case, and il
would clearly be violation of the law Of ma
lions 10 invite subjects to revolt who were
under actual obedience, however just their
COMPLAINTS" SO il is in the present condi-
ton Of affairs between Cuba and Spain. The
iormcr-suhjccts OF the lattcr--arc in revolt,
and we have no right TO interfere unless we
can show our safety j. in imminent danger in
some one way CT ether; and it is the glory of
the American Republic that it has been in
the van of nations in its strict adherence to
the rules of neutrality. The spectacles used
by an individual in reading and deciding thcs e
crave international questions are not iii for
u nations eyes. \ few merchants NAV see
how commerce is interrupted by the Cuban
troubles, and how thar interest is disturbed :;
but a Government needs to look further, and
for no such reason can interfere with the
equality and independence Of nation The
EepuLicGn further says, that the ''South
seemed determined TO break up the Union,
and the English Ministry, pursuing that the
orv, allowed our commerce to he swept from
the seas 10y the Alabama and other pirates"
Doesn't the Hcpubiican know that England
violated no laws Of neutrality in seeing pi-
rates play upon American commerce, but
violated them only when she, directly or in
directly, aided or allotted in this course: Ii
is TO be hoped that no recommendation from
amy hot-headed journalism will induce our
Government TO interrupt its present peaceful
condition with all nations, without just cause.
Pardon me for space occupied i'm this subject,
hu, less could scarcely have been said upon
sch IN important topic.
Yours truly, ID. \. STRAKEE.