New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-01-18

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OF which our own or any other civilized
government may avail itself l. The gov
eminent of the United States has right TO
judge when the instruction in Cuba
passes into civil war. The law of nations
defines this condition, and each govern
ment must decide for itself when the con-
test has attained that condition. Presi-
dent Cespedes claims that so far rs food
and raiment is repaired to sustain cause
the patriots are abundantly provided
provided not only by the generosity of ma
ture. but in the simplicity of their own
wants. His explanation is reasonable. 1t
reminds us Of an incident related of an
eminent American merchant in the City
of Mexico The minister of some credi-
tor nation had threatened that its govern
ment would compel Mexico to redeem her
credit by blockade of her coast. Within
few days these gentlemen were riding
out together. ''Let us, :" said the Ameri-
can, center that hut Tor light. The hut
was built of cane, placed perpendicularly,
secured to the posts which supported it
with theeough and plant vines, and thatch-
ed with the broad leaves which abound in
that country. The floor was smooth and
firm, but of dirt, They entered. The man
was stirring the ashes. The visitors were
seated. and the woman brought the dinner
OF the husband, Of which the visitors de-
clined to partake This dinner Was of goats
flesh or of dried beef, dressed with Chill col
orado or red pepper. There was, besides,
a fine bunch of bananas, and the woman
brought the visitors pine apple, served
with the native sugar OF the country.
They were also offered pulque, or the fer
mented juice OF the agave. Of which they
did not partake, but accepted ripe ba-
mana and pine apple served with the I'M
refined sugar Of the country. The dinner
of the man was served on thin and twisted
! cakes of corn meal or tortillas. The man
finished the repast, and then rolling up
the cakes he ate them also, and wiped his
hands upon his head. The gentlemen sa-
luted their host and mounted their horses.
$50, said the merchant, 'these are the
people you would blockade? That man
and woman were average inhabitants of
this country. Their garments were spun
and wove at home, OF light and cheap
cotton. Their houses were built without
nail and fastened without bolt. Their
food and its condiments is furnished by
nature, they require neither knife nor fork,
and. if you observed, that fellow ate up
his plate and dish at the end Of his dinner"
The minister admitted that a blockade of
foreign imports would have little effect
upon people whose supplies were so en-
tirely domestic
Both sides in this war ''maintain the
custom of killing the wounded. That |
plan is observed by both sides" The |
Spaniards are said Ito kill the sick and |
wounded in hospital Spain ievies a
special tax upon all taxed imports called |
q ''war tax" It is for the avowed purpose |
OF supplying the deficient revenues of
Cuba. absorbed in the cost of var. Neu- |
traI and nations in amity with Spain are !
thus specially charged with part of the !!
cost of Waging that which she thus pro.
nounces ''war." We. who give the in.
surgents no aid. are thus compelled to
violate our proclaimed neutrality in this
contest by furnishing part of the money
with which Spain carries it on.
We practically. by our continued
treaty with Spain, aid power which sub.
sisrs on African slavery to destroy
movement which has formally actually
abolished slavery. Upon this point the
Herald commissioner says:
81 believe that, said President Cespeies
quietly: "and yet would you not think that
we deserve the very strongest sympathy
from people who did SO much to abolish |
slavery. The very first act with us was to
declare all slaves tree-the unity OF blacks
and whites on terms of equality"
It struck me, coming through the stacks
of rifles, that whatever difference existed
between the Spanish authorities and their
colored brethren. that the professions of the
Cubans. so far as the slavery question was
concerned. were very true
In camp life, az all events, men, BLACK ana
white, could not have better friends. They
ate and drank together. and the colored
officers were by no means in the minority. |
Even in our little group five or six blacks
had congregated, and TO all intents and |
purposes both yaces stood on equal terms.
Z. When we add the difference in the
Spanish tariff upon articles improbable
from the United States to Cuba. and the
lower rate imposed by the United States
upon Cuban productions. the government
has.ampie justification in adopting ,eme.
Hal measures. It has the right To deter.
mine whether to profess the hollow sham !
Of diplomatic friendship with despot-
ism, OF to sustain the cause OF people
striving TO SCI themselves free. and abol.
shing bondage without respect 30 GoIos
or past condition.
STATE OFFICES FOR STATE INTERESTS.
The practice of bestOwing State offices
upon men without capacity for State ser.
nee must Terminate The claim of snen
% De rewarded with State offices. of
whose duties they are ignorant. has
wrought sufficient mischief. The yespcn.
,ibiIity Of whole party for the Misdeeds
If few unprincipied men will no longer
)e borne by the honest men OF party. .
This las. truth IL shown by the sesoiute
exposure Of al! members of Congress who
AVE been tainted with the Credit Mobilier ,
windle. 1t is not to be expected that the