National Republican., 1875-07-28
Our. Cuban Policy.

(From the Philadelphia Inquirer.
For years the United States Government has
behaved toward Spain, In regard to Cuba, with
q consideration and magnanimity such as 1t is
safe to say no other power on earth would have
displayed toward her under the same circum-
stances. For quite as long time the Ameri-
can people have been animated almost as a
unit by a sentiment of sympathy for the strug-
Cling patriots and detestation for their foreign
oppressors. During that time they would not
only have heartily indorsed any action of the
Government that tended to the suppression of
the reign Of terror Spanish ferocity has iuau-
gurated upon the soil of that fair island, but
have, in fact, constantly urged such action
upon the national authorities. And what has
been Spain's acknowledgment of Americas
forbearancel A persistent disregard of all
pledges made to the latter; studied per-
secution of American citizens, and q
pointed contempt for their flag upon all
occasions. Their estates have been embar-
COED, and pledges to relieve them have been
constantly violated. Acknowledged indebted
ness to them for injustices and injury to their
property has not been paid according to equally
solemn promises, and the claims have been
postponed or set aside with Indifference or cool
contempt. The same treatment has been ac-
corded to the consideration of all business be-
tween the two Governments. PreVarication,
delay, bad faith and Indifference have been the
leading features of the policy Of Spain in all
transactions with America. American COM
merce has been hsmpered By unjust and dis
eliminating port and customs duties. All
regulations of trade with the United States
have been so devised as to compel the latter to
pay heavy and constant tribute to the treasury
of the Captain General. Virtual immunity for
outrages upon American citizens, and the rob
berry or destruction Of their property, appears to
be recognized as fixed principle Of Spanish
law IN the island. In short, Spain's treatment
of the United States has been, throughout the
insurrection, such as no petty European power
would have tolerated for q moment, and such
as Spain would not have dared to exercise
toward any such power. More than this, the
abolition Of slavery, matter in which the
whole civilized world feels an interest, has not
been attempted, in spite of repeated solemn
promises to that effect. In view Of this fact,
and the great injury to commerce which Span
ish policy in the Island has caused, In which
the world is equally concerned with ourselves,
aside frsm the justification afforded by our own
long list Of grievances, American interference
would undoubtedly be taeitly approved, If not
hailed with satisfaction, by every European
nation. That our Government has not so in
terfered, in spite ofthe pressure of public opn-
ion, is attributable to the policy of peace and
justice in our dealings with foreign ma
tions, which is one of the traditions re-
ceived from the founders Of our nation. But
there is point beyond which even magnan-
unity can no longer forbear. That point has
been long since reached in the estimation of
by far the majority of the American people,
and there Is reason to believe that even in the
opinion of the administration it is being
closely approached. Certain it is, that at the
recent Cabinet session the condition of Cuban
affairs was earnestly discussed. No particu-
lars of the discussion have yet been made
known, but there are strong indicationsS
among which not the least significant Is an
outspoken editorial in the Washington Re-
PUBLICAN on the propriety of decided action,
that 1t is quite probable that, in the language
of the Journal alluded to, our Government
will before long "change its Cuban policy
from one Of inert sympathy and strict neutral
fly to one of comparative and natural frater-
nization with the patriots"