National Republican., 1873-06-21
SPAIN AND CUuA.

Our exchanges indicate the rapid growth
Of an ugly feeling throughout the country
towards the Government Of Spain, and an
impatlcnce regarding the delays which our
Department OF State has been compelled to
submit TO In Its efforts TO obtain settlement
Of pending differences, which Ia only tom
pered by the natural sympathy OF our people
with the struggle for republican supremacy
nov progressing In that country. Recent
occurrences have attracted especial atten-
tiou 10 the condition Of affairs In Cuba, and
the almost unanimous verdict Is that the pa
friots on the Island, after Eve years Of war,
during which the homo, Government has
failed TO maintain its own, are entitled TO .
better recognition than has yet been accorded
~ them. The argument that the mandates
Of international law prevent an acknowlcdg-
mont Of their belligercucy docs not nnd
n submissive response, and the lmpul-
slve sympathy OF the people relieves
Itself In expressions OF warm denun-
clation Of tho restrictions which interpoSe
TO prevent the accomplishment Of their most
earnest wishes, Statistics are readily found
10 show that unfair and discriminating regu-
latious are maintained against American com.
merce, while the published records OF the
Department are quoted TO prove that the
Spanish Government has rcsorted TO every
conceivable means TO continue this manifest
injustice. Further, tho history Of our late
war Is rcplete with incidents 10 prove the
unfrieudliness Of Spain In the time Of our
most earnest need. The attempt TO place
Maximilian as Emperor and ruler Of tho MeK-
lean people Ia not the least OF these, and 10
made the theme OF numerous editorials 10
show that recognition Of President Cespedes
In his Official capacity as the executive Of the
Cuban republic is warranted by Spanish pre-
cedent.
But our Government Is actuated by motives
OF Q pure and independent desire to conform
Its policy to the equities Of the case as viewed
from an unprcjudiced international stand.
point. We cannot afford TO destroy, in 70.
apensc TO our sympathetic impulses, tn,
record Of generations in which we have pre-
served q consistent refusal to take part In th,
internecine, or even the national quarrcls oi
our nelghbors. We were compelled by thu
same consistency OF policy to object to The
efforts Of Macmillan 10 establish an emplr'
on our continent but we have no precedent
OF our own for direct interference In behalt
Of the Cuban patriots. Nevertheless, Il mus
DO acknowledged that the growing disfavol
toward Spain may result In demand
from our people 10 30 change oui
lifelong policy OF resistance TO personal gov
cTument as 20 include warm encouragement
for republican rule wherever and whenever ]
may be asked. There Is q logic In this whlel
Is plain, aud which has already been applied
10 Spain In the prompt recognition OF the re
public In that country. Is Il improbable tina
with the indueemeut Of impartial CONNER
ciAl regulations In the eyoT-faithful isle, w
may yet forego our loyalty 10 the republic O
Spain, AMI be willingly persuaded 10 accep
new and advantageous changer The al
legged instability Of the Madrid government
added to Its bad faith, rs exhibited In Its In
tercourse with us, Is constantly advanced a
an argument against our present policy. A
the same time IL Is conceded that the natlr,
Cubans, having contributed more than the!
have been pToportlonately able, to tho suppor
OF the Spanish Government are entitled Il
tho same kind Of encouragement that was &c
corded 10 the American rebels when they
committed the overt act Of throwing Britlsl
tea into Boston harbor.
Ills evident, from this hurried statement
that our relations with Spain, impcrtled IL
their fhendliness, rs they are, by constantly
recurring instances Of outrage against Amer
lean citizens, arc getting to be complicated
aud it is known that they demand the mos
serious attention. In other words, while nd
herring implicitly and patiently to the line o.
duty as prescribed by law aud precedent, oui
State Department Is constantly harassed b,
influences OF a contrary purpou.