National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-04-13

''from which they had separated them
SELVES. Works Of Daniel Webster, vol. 8,
PIP. 49S, 400. Such are the views of modern
jurists, and applying the principles they lay
down to the present case, what is the re,
sulti Certainly it cannot be denied that
since October. 1858, the republicans of Cuba
have held dominion over an extensive ter
'tritory, given laws to it, established gov
''ernment in it. administered justice, and ex-
''ercised acts of sovereignty" in it. Ahrge
portion of the island has been governed for
nearly six years by the revolutionists of
1858, and majority of the inhabitants
of the island are understood to
have acknowledged their allegiance
to the republic. The parent power, with
unlimited means of suppressing the revolt
has up to this time utterly failed to do it.
In these circumstances, has this Govern
ment not a perfect right to recognize the
independence of the republic, and, if it sees
flt enter into friendly relations with the new
power without giving just cause of offence
to Spainf We think the facts stated and
the law we have quoted would furnish a
complete justification for the measure, If
any justification were needed.
2. We now come to the second branch OF
the subject and propose to show that the
commercial interests of this country are
suffering greatly by the prolongation Of this
unnatural and apparently useless strife, and
would be largely promoted by recognizing
Cuban independence and forming intimate
commercial relations with the new govern
ment. For years past the relations with
Spain have been carried on not on anything
like reciprocal basis, but on basis which
gives a large advantage to that Govern
ment. We take from Cuba annually to the
value of between sixty and seventy millions
of dollars worth of her productions, while
she takes from the United States less than
twenty millions of dollars worth of our
productions. This is clearly q one-sided
arrangement, which cannot be terminated
too soon. Instead of the balance of
trade with Cuba and the other coun-
tries to the south of us being
against the United States, it should be
largely in our favor, and it can easily be
turned in our favor, by entering into
treaties which shall be reciprocal in their
character, and which shall open up for the
United States markets now practically
closed against them. The republicans of
Cuba, it is well known, desire to enter into
close relations with the people of this
country. Many of them have been taught
in our schools and colleges, and have
there imbibed those principles of govern
ment upon which ours is based. These
people chafe under the harsh rule of the
governors sent from Spain to keep them in
subsection to the parent power. They
cherish ardent aspirations for the freedom
and independence which we enjoy, and they
also desire to put an end to that Infamous
system Of labor which prevails in Cuba, and
which is kept up only for the enrichment Of
the home government, the viceroys, and
the host of officers, high and low, which that
government places in charge of the Island.
ReeaGnize thsiy Independence and the bar
oarous war waged upon the Cuban people
Will cease from that moment-neaes -Hu'
prosperity will be restoreA ~ that suffering
population, and q large field will be at once
opened for our grain growers and provision
dealers Of the West, for the manufacturers
and merchants of the Eastern and Middle
States, and the lumbermen of the States
bordering on the Gulf of Mexico. The
merchants Of st. Louis, Cincinnati.
louisville. and other cities of the
WIT would Immediately feel the benefit of
TINS Aeasure. So would those of New Or
leans. galveston, Mobile, and other South
ern citleS The spirits of the people there
would rev-e, capital would flow in upon
them and = impetus would be given to
the extenslon,f American commerce in all
that portion of be continent which borders
ON tne duI and in the luxuriant islands
which sparkle n gems in that beautiful
sea- Inc treasuls of the Government
would also be enriche. by great Quantities
Of gold and silver which, nearer and mora
frequent intercourse with ,bese rich conn
tries would enable US to obta.. from tbe,,
In addition to these inducement@ an ey,en-
sion of our commerce in that sirect;on
would furnish occupation for many tbou.
sands of persons in the South now ul.m-
ploysd there. would attach to the Govern.
ment class of people who live on agita-
ton and by continually exciting the worst
feelings of the people in that section. This
alone Is sufficient reason for immediate &C.
ton by the Government in favor of Cuban
independence.
8. That the present moment is opportune
for such action, and that it would be grave
blunder to suffer 1t to escape can easily be
demonstrated. Hitherto certain complies
tons have existed which prevented the Gov
eminent from afording that moral support
to the Cubans which otherwise would
have been given. These complications
do not now stand in the way. There is no
longer Republican government In Spain,
nor is there any probability Of the estab-
lishment Of one. The people there are
welded to the monarchical form. Why then
should we afford that Government moral
support in crushing out the extension of
our own system in this part Of the worldi
It Is hardly necessary to assert that the
commercial supremacy Of the Westers
continent belongs to us. Why should we
not take and keep. it7 Are the pea,is OF
the United States willing to stand p and
see other nations wrest US from the trade
and commerce and advantage which are
naturally oursi to concede q England, for
instance. q supremacy on Us side of the
water which she exercise on the otherf
We do not believe 1t, butte know that is
the aim of our great Rvs. and that she win
not be content until tIs whole world has
been brought under her commercial and
imam cial sway.
While we hayf been idle that great power
has been intriguing to extend her COM
merce with peighbors very near to us, and
obtained advantages which we might and
should possess If England could prevent