New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-06-13
CONGRESS- AND CUBA.

If it had been told Lafayette that the
republic be crossed the ocean to aid,
would before the completion of its first
century, allow band OF gallant men to
struggle for the same cause, without one
throb Of sympathy, Or one effort to save,
he would have repealed it as prediction
at once as revolving as it was absurd.
Had some one whispered into the ear of
John Brown you die as the fool dieth
these abolition colleagues of yours who
sent you on this mortal mission, have no
| love for human freedom, and no purpose
| beyond the overthrow of a hated and OBJ
noxious section" he would not have be-
lieved word of it.
The patriots of Cuba have for five years
sustained themselves against the power Of
tyranny to which that of George Ill was
merciful and indulgent. There is no form
of punishment that has not been inflicted
upon them. There is no one right of hu-
mainly that has been accorded them. And
why has the traditional bad faith and
severity of the Spaniard been so much ex-
asperated against them? Because they
have dared to emulate the example and
practice the precepts of Washington,
Jefferson and Lincoln. They have pro-
claimed freedom of religion; freedom and
equality of rights, and they have pro-
claimed liberty to the slaves of Cuba. Is
it for the doctrine of Washington that the
people of this republic have abandoned
theirs?
Is it for carrying out the principles of
Lincoln and Sumner that the Abolition
lists have disappeared from the political
and diplomatic arena?
The spirit Of John Brown has struck
camp at Key West. 1t seems that his
martial step and his chant of freedom
has died away, and not one echo cheers
the slave of the Vuelta Abajo as he bends
under the scourge Of his Spanish tyrant.
And the colored race, and their repre-
sentatives, raised to the blessing Of free
dom by an interposition almost as mirac-
ulous as the delivery of Israel from the
brick yards of Egypt. Have they no SYM
patty for suffering, in comparison with
which their own, however grievous, were
nothing? Have they no perception, that
in the added influence of a reaction,
there will accrue to themselves an in
fuence both upon Congress and upon
commerce, which will enhance their
power and consideration in the nations?
The President Of the United States has
announced that he is the servant of the
people, not their master. His views in
favor of universal republicanism and the
commercial expansion of the Union to a
continental supremacy are well known.
But he has been once rebuked in his
manifestation of that wish. The Depart
ment of Foreign Affairs adjusted the
g.oss and cruel indignities of our unfor-
tunate countrymen i'll manner that
caused no enthusiasm among Republi-
cans.
Who can hear the nartyrdom of these
Cubans, for the sole crime of having
copied our example, without being re-
minded of the noble lines of the commiser-
ating Milton on the helpless people of
Spain by tyrannical prince for the sole
oaense of having initiated Protestant and
Republican England? But we hope that,
in view Of the duty to humanity involved |
in the recognition Of free Cuba, Congress
will not adjourn without passing joint |
resolution recognizing the belligerency of
the patriots, and empowering the Presi-
dent to recognize also their nationality, |
at his discretion. There can be 10 doubt |
but President Grant will obey the die
t ates of his heart and principles in man
ner equally prompt aud decisive.