National Republican., 1875-06-05
Uueonsuered Cuba.


For seven long years the Spanish Government,
under both monarchical and republican forms.
has vsinly attempted to put down the revolution
ary movement in Cuba. Many thousands Of men
and millions Of treasure have been sacrificed in
the effort, but as yet no appreciable advance has
been made in the desired direction. Indeed, 1t
would appear that the so-called parent Govern
ment is further now from the accomplishment Of
its purpose than ever, while the reTolutionists
are every day becoming stronger, bOldsr and
more confident.
That the Cuban patriots have fought like brave
men long and we'll cannot be denied. All sorts Of
difficulties have been presented before them. but
freedoms spirit has enabled them to hold their
way through the laboring storm, and their native
mountains have afforded them shelter whenever
too closely pursued. The inroads they have made
on the positions originally held by the represent
atives Of Spanish authority show steady advances
in the direction of independence while the cruel
ties imposed on their non combatsnt relatives and
friends have, in many instances, given to their
retribution an almost hallowed form.
No patriotic American, with proper apprecia-
tiOn Of the history and traditions OF his own coun-
try can fail to sympathiZe with tho Cubaus in
their efforts to throw of the yoke Of Spain. Their
prOVocation is q hundred fold greater than that
which induced the colonists in this country to
pledge, each to the other, their lives, their for
tunes and their sacred honor in struggle for In
dependence.
There is no parallel in modern times forsthe
cruelty with which the war Of Spain has been
conducted against the native Oubans. It is ut
terly revolving 10 the recognized principles and
teachings Of manifest destiny before us, that We
have some neiR hborly rights in the premises. 1t
is plain common-law principle that he who
stauds by when murder Is committed and makes
no attempt to prevent the crime must share with
the criminal in his guilt. Even the knowledge Of
such q crime, If concealed, makes the party thus
acting an sccessory after the fact.
Our people and Government know full we'll that
in conducting the war against the Cuban patriots
lhe Spanish authorities nave disregarded al o.
they have had the most ample proof. The ma
tives of the island have been shot on suspicion In
q thousand instances, and eYenStudents and chill
drep have been put to death on the most negative
OF testimony. We all remember the feeling Of
Indignation aroused by the Virginius massacre,
his Iips not for himself but for his poor sailors
and passengers. Indeed, the sanguinary charac-
ter Of Spanish warfare in Cuba is shown by the
official reports forwarded from Madrid by the
American Minister. Though these reports, so
far ss they are now a. hand. only reach up 10
August, 1872, yet at that time $1,000 Spanish sol.
diers had been sent to Cuba, Of whom only 1900
we're then alive; and whereas l3 600 Oubans were
reported as killed in battle, II is admitted that
S5OO prisoners we're put Ito 70 death During me
has by no means been less bloody. Yet the flag
Of free Cuba-the same which was unfurled BY
Lopez In 1s5l-still floats an inspiration against
tyranny, and It will fioat blOod-stsined and bat
tle:torn though 1t be, till victory finally flashes
on its folds.
Ino rSeQ.
Valnaseda issued proclamation decreeing that
every male over tifteen years Of age, found away
from his home without satisfactory reasons,
should be shot; that every house on which white
hsg was not displayed should be burned, aud
that all women and childron found alone on plan
tations should be removed by force. This was
followed by still more severe and exacting proola
nations. A late number Of La ESireIld S0ldtarid,
q eontraband patriot sheet, speaks Of the late re-
turn Of Valmaseda to Cuba in terms Of burning
Indignation.
To show its tenor a single paragraph will suf-
fee. The inquiry is made: Do you think TO
sharpen new weapons, rend new breasts shed
new blood, and open new graves? The star OF
Cuba now protects with her benefcent rays our
heads and hearts; the genius ofVietory guides on