The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1875-11-04
Cuba.


Cuba.
In the midst Of complications at home, the
United States has had less opportunity and
inclination to critically observe the internation-
al relations of foreign countries tr!n would
have been the case had 10 dissensons existed
in her own affairs. Now that peace begins
again to bless lis with her benignant smile and
we have the power to exert benefcently our
influence over others, we may, without diSad-
vantage, turn to the little Island of Cuba, and
protfer such aid rs COMFORTS with the duty OF
great nation, recognizing the demands of
phanthrophy and civilization.
Cuba lies right at our Goor--a few hours sail,
and the passenger from New Orleans walks
the streets Of Havana. The climate, produce
tons and geographical position of Cuba are de-
scribed in coors SO glowing by the pen Of Irving,
that we almost dream, when we turn from his
pages, we have been looking upon a picture of
romance rather than dwelling on a country
which can veritably claim all the tribute which
| SO diversified q mind as that OF Washington IT.
wing could afford.
This beautiful country. so possessed with al
| the resources of wealth, and lying so near us,
has long been writhing in the grasp OF the
| most ty1annical and capricious government OF
| the world, and the victim Of passions and ap-
petites which alone belong to the nature OF ne
crafty, Jealous, and avaricious Spaniard =
4 Revelation has stained the soil Of Cuba j Or
many long years With the best blood of the a.
triots; expedition after expedition has been ste IL
thily gotten up by the citizens Of the Unit I'd
States for their assistance, but failure has, in I'll
cases, been the result And still the tyranny
OF old Spain congresses the vitality and sa ps
the energies OF that Struggling people.
| We are OF those who believe the Monroe doc
trine to be correct, as general rule or policy,
\ and that nol-interference with the powers OF
I Europe to be the true principle of WISDOM
Yet. Cuba is too near to us, her people, in the
main, too patriotic, and some too nearly allied
to us in blood for us passiveiy to observe the
! savage veng which characterizes the poll
cy of Spain in connection with the affairs of
Cuba. @
| III considering, too, this question, we must
remember that Spain herself is the continued
theatre of civil war; that her society is anarch
ical, chaotic, and her government so unstable
that 1t continually oscilj ates between :hc des-
pc tism Of a King and his minions, and the ig-
II ORANGE and brutality Of the mob. Incapable
OF controlling her own misunderstanding away
to destruction, swiftand sure, Spain should not
be allowed to carry along with her to so newt
able doom, a country connected with her by
no geographical centiguity and situated thous-
ands of miles away from her shores. The Justice
ofnations and the mercy of humanity wouldboth
be subserved il some steps were taken to avert
SO disastrous q fate.
For seven long years have the Struggling Gu
bans encountered the carnage OF war, the say
age brutality Of Spanish desperation, and en-
dured the priyations and borne barbaric cruel
ties that make the blood cllrdla to contemplate,
and the end is not yet. All the resources of the
l Spanish government that could be drawn from
the Implications Of home affairs have been di-
rccteG in vain to asuppressien of the uprising Of
these oppressed people. One hun dred millions
OF money, and sixty thousand men Nave brought
the instruction no nearer to cloi", to all APP
a resolution, born Of wrongs endured, the
brave Cubans have struggled on until the SYM
p:,tily Of the civilized world has been Ell
listed in their behalf, and especially has re-
spensiye feeling been aroused in the United
States, whose commerce. binds us so closely
to this highly favored Island.
| The announcement that our Min ister ut Mad
Ir;I Rod toI tn no
| ish government that it was expected by this
country, that the carnage and bloodshed which
have characterized the revolution in Cuba,
must be closed by the first of January, or the
policy OF the government would be changed in
relation to Cuban affairs, finds HEARTY en-
dorsemcnt throughout the country.
| It is true the Monroe doctrine has become
the policy OF this country in relation to foreign
governments But there are exceptions to all
general rules. The proximity of Cuba to our
territory, the important commercial relations
subssting between the Islandand this country,
| the perfidy of the Spanish government in its
course on the subject OF the abolition of slave
nv, the African slave trade, its refusal to accept
the tender of the United States to adjust the
/ QIICTSIfCCS pctNGEu Iilo CilUdliS iuu llC nOUc
government, and the interests OF humanity, de-
mand that a time be fixed for the Spanish gov
| eminent to assert.and maintain its authority in
Cuba, free from the carnage that has tistisl-
guished the last seven years. or or interpositon
to arbitrarily put a stop to tile butchery that
has been going on there.
+, The time may not now be for the consunl-
nation OF the freedom of Cuba, in the sense that
lit would come under the jurisdiction of this
government. But we are Of those who believe
I'M manifest destiny, and that the turmoils and
conflicts which have Redeemed the soil Of that
beautiful Island with the best of patriot blood,
are but the agencies that are working out the
emancipation OF that people from the domina-
ton OF all i,nbeciie and brutal race, and pre-
pairing the way for its freedom. il not its incor-
pofation into governmental relations with this
country. The interests of humanity, the phil
osopIy of civilization, the advancement OF
Christianity, all combine in protest against
the repressve and barbarous and cruel system
of government thathas blighted that genial soil
snd perverted the purposes Of nature. What
ever steps our government may take to avert
tiic bloody march OF revolution, and restore Or
der and peace to brave and suffering people.
will receive a generous Endorsement from the
GREAT body OF the American people,