The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-06
GRANT AND CUBA.
Letter from L. NJ. Macias to the Presis
dent-A simple Word OF Charity to
Cuba Asked.


demt-A simple Word OF Charity to
Cubn Asked.
wILLARDs HOTEL, Feb. 2, 1873.
To His Excellency General u. 5. GRANT, President
Of the United States OF America
SIR-Some hours ago, while visiting the Nation.
al CAPITOL when my mind was deeply engaged in
the consideration Of the sad fate OF my native
country the island OF Cuba, / suddenly met you
am passed closely by your side. My first impress
sion in seeing so near me the illustrious citizen
VINO fills and serves the first oiice IN my adopted
country, was to address him In my double capacity
OF an American citizen and o Cuban by BIRTH aud
ask of HIM in the name OF Cuba and humanity to
take such action as to deserve, not only the
gratitude OF Cubans. but also the hearty
approval OF the American people, and Of
the whole people OF the civilized world. Respect
however, restrained me. Perhaps neither the place
nor the moment Afforded the best opportunity Of
setting forth my feelings and the feelings of the Gu
bans. But made up my mind TO write to you this
letter. and, true the inspiration then felt, APP
peal to you.
do not ask OF yor, sir either recognition OF
the state OF belligeroncy between the Cubans and
the Spaniards or rything which could endanger
the peaceable relations OF this country with Spain
ana other Powers OF the earth IL rs not my inten.
ton 10 discuss intricate matters oil International
law to suggest any steps which might be at va
rance with the duties Of neutratiea. The condi-
ton OF the cuban revolution II such at present as
TO authorize on your part a certain action which,
besides giving satisfaction to the wishes OF the
American people, as set iortn through the pubic
press and through every possible means OF mani
1estatiOn, would certainly place your name In ms
tory not only as great soldier but az Christian
statesman, true to tho principles Of his age ana
country.
When Greeks and Turks were engaged in war
very similar to that which RACES In cuba, RUSSIA,
France and England proposed an armlstlce and
other measures, which were refused at the begin
ming, but successfully enforced afterwards. A
those Powers, aud the conflict was soon over. The
Kingdom oil Greece sprung from that generous IN
teryentiOn. When JdtliSta5 ana lsaDellnCS were
waging In Spain the same cruel war now devas-
tatIng the island Of cuba the voice OF England was
regularze the war and make II more confornaDie.
with tie rules OF civilization and humanity.
an sc xtermnating CONNECT Yon have seen tina q,
besdes the means OF action contained IN soDhe
Spanish proclamatons which your secre.ary $, 0i
with allts horrors, stu exists, and that after IoAr
years offeariul horros there IL no indication Of
the ability OF the Spatards 10 put down the reSo-
| luton.
| A resolution has Just been introduced In the
i House Of RepreseD 9atives recommending you TO
open communications with foreign governments, Oh
\ America and Europe, with view to consider the
| most efficient means OF protecting non-combatants
and enforcing the rules OF civilized war, bringing
| about emancipatiun aud securing more peaceaDlo
relations between cube ana the spanish govern,
| introduced ard even passed curing the nrst ana
| second sessions OF this Congress. The American
Il
| patriots. Your Secretary OF State acknowledged
very plainly in his Official notes how difficult IL IS
to restrain this opinion. The Republics OF South
America come together to ask OF your government
simple word Of charity to Cuba. England, IRON
| whose soil nave Just come, shows her good dis.
| position towards Cuba through the public press
and the eloquent speeches OF influential members
| OF arllament.
Nhy, sir, do you remain silent when the whole
civilized world is looking at you and waiting loi
| Americas decision on an American queslohi
Though the action OF certain individuals and reu.
gees, owing to their inexperience or 10 etneL
Il causes may not have deserved your approval, can
this be a reason for ignoring the great, nome pth-
| ciples involved in Cuba's struggleS Is IL not
. struggle for independence ana self-government,
Has Cuba done aught that the American people dla
not do 100 years agothat has not been done by ai
Y | other countries OF the New Wordf Is there any
4 thing anomalous In this movement for indepenus,
B | ence and liberty Ia IL not movement wnica
proclaimed the emancipation OF the slaves anu
! forced reluctant Spain TO ponder on tY The justice
! OF the cause Cuba, irrespective OF tnoidenl
/ | cumstances, cannot be doubted ior moheh =, =
4 Why, them not advance the action OF Cohg,esa, =,
/ accepting the programme which Is now unuei u'A
{ cusslonY - - acta1
} By so doing, Mr.. President, you Will nave avsy.
Justly and merciuy and add impershable lnu,
| TO the crown now worn by you. :, gspPonIsS'
l yours y NJ A'