New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-02-22
THE CUBAN QUESTION.
DEBATE IN THE HOUSE LAST NIGHT-THE VIEWS
or GEN. BANKS AND MIR. SARGENT.
GENERAL PRESS DIsPATCHl


DEBATE IN THE HOUSE LAST EIGHT-THE VIEWS
OF GEN. BANKS AND MIR. SARGENT.
GENERAL PRESS DIsPArCHl
WASHINGTON, Feb. 21.-Mr. Banks closed
the evening session in the House to-day with speech
on Cuba lie the present movement in Spanish pol
tics had been suggested by the Amadeus who i0und
impossible to give peace the country The abdication
being unexpected, the people had to fall back upon
republican form Of government but it was not to be
supposed from that that majority Of the people were
republicans democrats
The Monarchists would soon develop Their purposes
and place a new ruler upon the throne, ana II was
scarcely beyond doubt that Prince Alfonso, son OF the
exQueen Isabella would be- called TO rule over SPAN
and the Republican leaders overthrow as they were IN
1868 The policy OF the present Government had been
declared ignore the past, 10 undertake no change
for the future but to-day to force other nations their
own ideas OF the traditional right Of Spain TO rule IN
both continents.
On what theory was it that the Democratic Minister
CASTELAR, should say the Spanish American states that
they must not show any sympathy revolution in
Cubai he asked Il war the theory that Spain had
never abandoned her traditional policy Of dominating
in both hemispheres. Why should the South American
States withdraw their sympathy from the people OF
Cubai Why should CASTELAR, himself decline 10 express
sympathy for them IL because he held that no
infringement on the rights OF power Of spain should be
tolerated by Spaniard.
But what was the interest OF the United States in the
question: The few spaDiars in Cuba were ruling with
more relentless ntoerable ana barbarous system than
ever the American colonies had 70 complain OF. The
Cubans Tor years past had fought against their OPP
pressors their rulers. They had fought more than
200 battles with various results they had lost nearly
5000 men in the for liberty ana yet the Pres
dent Of the United States had sent message 70 Con-
gress year ago. speaking Of that struggle as being
limited TO an occasional shot only II 1t was the shot
Of assassin
The massacres Of prisoners of war, and the barDarsm
with which the struggle carried attracted atten
ton all over the world The United States con-
stanty affected by that struggle. American citizens
we're being constantly arrested in Cuba, and treated
American trade with Cuba affected in the same way
That trade went 20 Europe instead Of AmercaO when
naturally belonged. American merchants aud shpmas
ters we're constantly complaining TO their own Govern
ment OF the exactons and wrongs inflicted on them IN
Cuba the Secretary Of State had to confess that his
Government could do nothing for them.
II there was anything which the American states
were entitled to 1t was immunity from the dangerous
position possessions Of European Governments in
the waters between the two American continents,
especially when such possessions were controlled by
government like SPAIN which ignored the past and mad
no hope the future He did not know that It would
be wise TO make any violent demands upon the Spanish
Government but he believed that when an evil exists,
the statement OF that evil should be presented 70 those
from whom we suffered and the remedy Tor the eYu II
possible. should be demanded.
Bnt the obstacle in the way was the position Of the
United states Government It the American Gov
eminent which Obstructed the way OF progress and
reform the waters and islands OF Cuba We're 10 not
for the assertion that the United states had the gnJ 20
control all questions this Continent England would
this have protested against the policy OF spain ana
prevented the recurrence OF these OarbarOus executions
that have dlsgraced the age and DETAINED civilization.
II the United States that were responsible 0r these
things. Ii the United states thaJ enabled SPAIN 70
continue this barDarous policy.
The trouble that the people OF the United states
were wild, II insane, in the pursuit OF wealth, ana
sacrificed every consideration or rghJ aud puOuc dy 70
that purpose and end alone. And what 20 De the
result Of thatf The destruction OF our liberty the de-
strucon OF Government; the destruction OF our po
stion among the nations OF the EARTH ana tie decadence
degrading. and dshonoring OF the American people.
He looked down. however TO the class or emancpated
American citizens and believed that they would par
ticipate unit in this question: ana would force on
the American Government such change or policy a.
would secure the people OF the United states aud OF
all the American states, that rest ana quiet ana peace 10
which they entitled.
While he sympathzed from the depths OF his heart in
every struggle selfgOvernment and republican lib
erY in any OF the world. he could not DE led away
frum his convictions the probable result or tue
contest in Spa Nor could he forget the rights OF the
United states and all Republics the American con.
tinent He hoped that the cOOred people OF TINS cOuh-
patton until should be accomplished. ana they would
i've I'm the history of after times with the reputation
and hOnOrs that conceded 70 the precursors
and founders OF American liberties ana Tree lnstltu-
tOns.
Mr. Sargent Of California replied 10 Mr.. Banks and de-
Tended his aspersiOns aud lmputatlons the foreign
policy of the Government. He never believed that II
the duty OF the United States Government % inter-
ere the OF Cuba by assuming the side or those
certainly carrying on very little more than
guerrilla warfare IL not the dntY OF the Govern
ment 10 be "A crusader about the world Fighting the
wrongs OF everybody else. The policy OF the Admins
raton he claimed. had been wise, 1rm, and successful
fisheries the Washington Treaty and the House
adjourned.