The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1873-12-03
From Nationul Rep,sNicm.
THE CUBAN SITUATION.

One sad aspect Of the difficulties which
now threaten Cuba may be found in the
certainty that upon very slight provoca-
tiou the Spanish free blacks, numbering
- 900. aud the native Cubans of equa
strength. will rise some day in bloody III
surrectlon IN the city Of Havana. Fifty
thousand blood-tLirsty wretches, seeking
vengeauce for wrongs. real and imaginary,
viii come time IN the NOT far distant future
| electrify aud hcrrify the civilized world
with record of Z. .nisht's l,uichery aud cru.
81 massacre. Naturally the native Cubaus
are q peaceatle aud patient people. while
the Spanish-speaking blacks have for centu-
ries Submitted to the odious impusitions d
prescription aud the Determinations Of law
against their interests. until they have de-
seryedly won reputation for humility and
quiet. But the latent devil lurking IN
their veins. through which courses tile bot
blood Of the tropics, once aroused, they
will lay aside that humility to assume the
character Of 6cnds. Havana, then, rests
to-day upon volcano. and the eruption
may come At any hour. In the meantime
let Us hold the parties responsible for the
policy which provokes these people to seek
vengeance to strick accountability. They
must know the danger which surrounds
them, aud knowing it should make prosi-
slon to avert it. But their conduct is such
as to hasten their impending DOOM Pro-
mise alter pron.ie has been made by them
to reform the abuses under which the peo-
pie are becoming SO restiye; but not sin
gle promise has been fulfilled. The island
has no regular or direct representation in
the Government; slavery exists throughout
it, Length aud breadth, and it is ruled by
officials Of Spanish birth. who are natural
y the enemies and oPpresSors Of the na-
lives. NO wonder, then, that the people
gruan and complain. These facts are often
used now-a-days ms arguments to prove that
lt Isl The duty Of the United States. not on
y as ap aet "f humanity. but in prescrya-
ton Of our own rights and privileges. to as
sume the responsibility Of prutectornte
over the islaad. We know very well that
under existing circumstances the American
people suiier IL the loss Of profits from the
Spanish determinations against our CON-
nierce with Cuba more than the cost Uf q
sar with Spain; but We have had no pre-
text heretofore to forcibly demand reyo-
cation Or moderation Of those discrimins-
tioDs. Now that the pre,ext for such de-
nland i furnished By the outrage against
onr alg committed ny the Spanish autbori-
ties We would lie craven, indeed. not to
take advantage Of it. But il is to be hop
ed that force will not be required. How
ever blind the Spanish authorities IN Cuba
may be 10 their own interests and disre.
gardiul Of ours. or cruel aud inhumar, III the
conduct Of the administration Of affairs on
the island. there Is every reason to believe
that President CASTELAR, is in earnest when
he promises satisfactory solution of the
pending difficulties. Il isirue that he may
NOT be able 10 execute bis designs or Dc.
sires. anI that his orders for that purpose
may be disobeyed. and we may Us we'll be-.
gin now 70 calculate the responsibility
which will rest upon Us as q Government Il
they are disobeyed but we must not forget
that our duty as a civilized naiipu. amens-
bic to tue requirements Of positive IS well
as indefinite civilized in,ernatioua! lsw, de.
mands patience ~ thisextremity. We can
aifurd to wait reasonable length Of time
for developments. aud 10 trust the honesty
Of Castellsr's purpose until Congress meets
The war power Of the Government, 1t mnsi
be remembered. rests with Congress, aud
while ], must be admitted that We have
cause for serious complaint. prudence re.
quires that The utmost caution should cha.
racieriEe the deliberations Of that body.
Let the pres possess lis soul With patience,
and remembering the gravity Of the quos.
ticus involved, forbear from exciting and
inecudiary appeals to the an,hinking pre-.
judices Of the people.