National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-05-25
CUBA AND SPAIN-THE ADOLF
TTOK or VERY

an exponent in the press Of the country,
shows that the pending effort to secure a
favorable recognition by our Government
Of the Cuban republic is sustained by an
overwhelming majority Of our people. 1t
is true that the question has been sgitated
for years In a fitful kind of way; but it
now appears to have received a new i'm
pulse-to be nursed-by men of such un-
doubted integrity that the renewal of the
effort is hailed with assurances of success.
Mr.. Carpenter. in the Senate, and the ven
cradle Judge Polsnd, in the House, have
taken the lead in Congress, and, as we have
said, they are sustained by the people. This
unanimity of feeling arises mainly from the
fact the people generally do not enter
tain the NEST friendly feeling toward the
Spanish Government and belief in view
of the prolonged struggle which the in
surgents have maintained, that the re-
public will succeed of its own strength.
Added to this is the con viction that
it is the duty of our Government,
remembering its own revolution against
Great Britain, to grant what aid it can con-
sistently to other colonies engaged in
profted by our experience, and have doubly
earned right to our sympathy by the man.
ner in which they began their revolution.
When, in the autumn of 1868, the insur-
gent leaders met to frame the constitution
of their new form of government and to
declare their independence, they had be-
fore them, not only our own Declaration
and Constitution, but the incidents of our
civil war were still fresh in their minds.
They saw that slavery, the great curse to
the greatest republic of the world, had only
been abolished within its limits after long
protracted and bloody strife. Taking ad-
vantage of the lesson taught by this terrible
experience, with the very pens used to
declare their own independence they signed
the manumission papers of thousands of
slaves. In fact, as each man gave in his
adherence to the new cause, it was with
the distinct understanding that the new re-
public was to be the government of free
people, and that from its very inception
there should be no such thing under it as
involuntary servitude. 1fnothing else were
to be adduced to show that these people were
in earnest, this would be sufficient. The
sacrifice of property thus made gave
convincing proof of their devotion to the
cause of liberty in the purest and freest
sense Of the term; for it must be remem-
bered that Spain held out then, as she still
holds out offers Of protection to property
in slaves to those Of her subjects who re-
manned loyal. Nor is this all. The con-
stitution then adopted has been carefully,
even vigorously, guarded by the people by
whom it was unanimously ratified Its
provisions have been faithfully executed
wherever and whenever the exigencies of
war would allow. So true Is this that the |
first President of the republic-Carlos
Manuel de Cespedes-having usurped
power as the commander-in- chief of the |
military forces, which had not been dele
gated to him by the Congress, was formally
and quickly impeached. In this proceed.
ing there was none Of the hot blood and ex-
element which generally characterizes a
change in the head of the South American
Governments; but the trial was conducted
with dignity and decorum, showing that
the Cubans are better prepared for self
government than their South American
neighbors, and that they are peculiarly
fitted for submission In quiet and peace
able way to the contingencies which may
arise at any time under republic.
In the meantime Spain has been torn with
discussion and strife; has changed her gov
forms until it has become almost
impossible to keep trace of them. Isabella
has abdieated; Serrano, CASTELAR,, Rrim and
others have in vain attempted to organize
affairs, and to-day she presents the sad
lspect of great nation struggling with in
different success to subdue Don Carlos, while
he Madrid authorities can themselves find no
proper word or phrase with which to char
.cterize their authority. Serrano, after the
overthrow of CASTELAR,, it is true, did an
lounce himself as President ofthe Supreme
Power Of Republic, but he might as well
rave proclaimed himself King. And under
III her forms she has failed to do anything
'fectual in recognition of the spirit of the
lge which demands the abolition of slavery.
l Is true, she has promised; but what are '
ne promises Of q Spaniard Of the governing
;lassf Witness the fate of CASTELAR, when !
40 tried. to keep faith and deal fairly with |
he United States I
This Is but the faint outline of ,compari-
son which might be extended almost with {
'ut limit between Cuba and Spain, and al {
Ways to the disadvantage of the latter. The I
me is proven to be proud, brave, self-reli- {