The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1874-04-16
RECOGNITION OF THE REPUBLIC
OF CUBA AND ANNEXATION.

RECOGNITION OF THE REPUBLIC
OF CUBA AND ANNEXATION.
Our dispatches of yesterday informed us
that "the official organ has an elaborate
editorial declaring the present time oppor-
tune for the immediate recognition of the
Cuban Republic" Now we are not the par
ticular friend and admirer of General Grant
and his administration, and would not write
a word in support of any measure which he
might dictate or approve, if itReFe not APP
parentlY right ia every particular. We look
upon him as a very narrow-minded and sell
fish man, who weighs all of his actions in
accordance with self interest. Witness the
treatment of the South Carolina memorial
ists-simply because General Gary in the
Taxpayers Convention gave him wordy
exeoriation. But it was enough. The whole
party were met as though the very
winter of discomfort and destruc-
ton was lowering and spreading its
dark curtains around They received
no encouragement. A carpet Dagger had
slipped in Just ahead of them and placed
Gen. Gary's speech before the President.
It sealed their fate. Now, although we con-
denim the motive and animus of the Presl-
dent, still we believe that he treated them
right But when he moves in the right di-
rection and in the right spirit, we will not
oppose, but will do our duty in the matter.
According to the laws of nations, as now.
understood and applied, any people who
are united together for the purpose of form
ing separate and distinct government
with proper limits and well defined, but not
exact boundaries, after having shown and
demonstrated their ability and will tomain-
tain and defend such government, against
all reasonable and determined assaults and
efforts to conquer them, and thereby obtain
an acknowledgement of their allegiance, are
entitled to a recognition as government
dc .t4cto if not dejure.
This is in accordance with the progress
of the age consistent with reason and the
true theory of government. No people
should be held in submission to any foreign
power, and homogeneous people can bet
ter provide for their own wants in govern
ment Of their choice. Such are the senti-
ments of the Declaration of Independence;
and although quoted oftentimes by the ty-
rants Of this as we'll as of other countries,
lose none of their intrinsic worth; but flash
- A. f-,,, ,los.of T;harfv and inda
pendence even admidst the darkness of pros
tituted mouarchial power, as the diamond
does from the dung hill. To restrain peo-
Pile and hold them as subjects to any gov
eminent which is repugnant to their con-
victions of right and of Justice, Ito make
them beasts Of burden and slaves to masters,
against which reason, patriotism, liberty and
true manhood revolt. The Cubans, IKE the
Confederates, have shown their power, will
and determinationt be free. But tits to be
hoped that they VIM not meet the fate of
the latter, although they have not exhibited
tenth part Of the power of the Confeder-
ates. Nothing but the institution rof sla-
very, which was right per Sc, prevented tire
South from maintaining their independence.
The world was against Us. But in the case
of the Cubans the fates are propitious.
They war against the. crown of Spain, and
their liberty and independence win Hberate
the slaves of the island from bondage.
Have they shown suthcient inherent or in
ternal power TO demand recognitionl We
think that they have. For about four years
they have maintained an army and held pos
session Of part Of the island Of Cuba in di-
rect opposition to and in defiance of
all the force and power which Spain
could send against them. Armies have
been organized and seut against them
time and again, but they have been success
fully resisted and hurled back broken by
disease and battle Diplomacy has been
tried; and while a few craven spirits have
yielded to the sednctions of gold, the
masses have stood hrmlv and de6antly.
Battle after battle has been fought with
ever varying and evenly balanced success,
tin Of late she tide has turned in favor of
the Cubans, and to-day their government is
more secure, moro firmly established in
power and in the heartfelt allegiance Of the
people Of Cuba Their cause is gaining
ground, and there seems 70 be tidal wave
OF prosperity rolling along, which win
firmly establish their government and ex-
tort recognition and Independence even
from Spain herself. II the statements which
have been recently made IN regard to the
revolutionists ere true, then the end OF the
struggle cannot be VERY remote. And II
true, what IS evidently the duty Of the
government Of the United Statesi
Ii is immedistc recognition. No time
should now be lost Alresdy too much in
nocsnt blood has been she'd, TOO many brave
and true men have lost their lives. Toe
long the minions Of power and place have
trampled upon sacred rights too long the
earotte, halter, bali and bayonet have sent
the innocent and true 60 the grave. Too
long hare the officers 81 the home govern
ment dealt With the pslrioss as though the.
were pirates whose hands were rseking viii
human gors, and their record black viii
nslneless crimes. II. therefore, che Presi
dent shoold be authorized b Congress Z.
recognize The Republic Of Cuba and Il
independonoe nom Spanish domination, W
/.