The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1875-12-16

4
what result such supervision would
before long draw this nation. 1t wsuld
/ be UNIV orthy of the United States to
inaugurste tho possibilities Of such u
result by measures Of questionable
right or expediency or by any indi-
rection.
Apart from any question of theoret-
icai right. I am satisfied that while the
accordance OF beliixerent rights to the
| insurgents in Cuba might give them
hope and inducememt to protract tho
| struggle, It would be but q delusive
hope and would not remsve tho. evils
which this government and its people
are experiencing but would draw the
United States into complications
which it has waited long and already
suffered much to avoid. The recegni-
ton of independence or of belliyer-
ency being thus, in my judgment,
equally unadmissable, it remains to
consider what course shall be adopted.
Should the copflict not seon be brought
to an end by acts OF the parties them-
selves, and should the evils which re-
suit therefroln, affecting all natisns,
and particularly the United States,
continue. trs -9ta.5y e
In such an event am Of the opin-
ion that other nations will be COM
PEELED to assume the responsibility
which devslved upon them, and to
| seriously consider the only remaining
measures possible, mediation and in
tervention. Owing perhaps to the
great expaHse Of water, separating
them from the Peninsula, the want Of
harmony and Of personal sympathy
bet ween the inhabitants of tho colony
| and those sent thither. to. rule them,
and want Of adaptation to the ancient
colonial system OF Europe at the pres
ent time, and the ideas which the
events Of the past century have devel-
oped, the conflicting parties appear to
have within themselves no depository
| of common confidence to suggest.
| Passion and excitement have their.
| swsy, and to assume the part Of peace
maker, in this view Of the case, in the
early days of the contest, the good
| Offices Of the United States as medi-
ator were rendered in good faith with
out any selfish purposes, in the inter-
ests of humanity and in sincere friend
ship for both parties, but were 1T the
time declined by Spain with the dec
laration, nevertheless, that ut . future
time they would be Indispensable. Ne
I
tho opinion of Spain that time has
been reached and yet the strife con-
| tinues with its dread horrors and all
its injuries 10 the interests of the
United States, and of other nations.
working great injury and damage to
| the other as we'll as to all the relations
| and interests dependent OH the exist
ence Of peace on the Island, but they
seem incapable of reaching any ad-
justment, and both have thus far
failed Of achieving any success where.
by one party shall possess and control
the Island to the exclusion OF the 9th.
er. Under these circumstances, the
agency of others, either by mediation
or by intervention, seems to be the
only alternative, which must sooner
or later be invoked for the termina-
ton of the strife. AT tho same time.
while thus impressed, do not recon-
mend the adoption of any measure OF
intervention. I shall be ready at all
times, and as the equal friend Of both
parties, to respond to- a suggestion
that the gs0d offices Of the United
States will be acceptable to aid in
bringing about peace honorable to
beth. Ii is due to Spain, so far as this
government 10 concerned, that the
agency of third power, to which l
have adverted shall be adopted only
as a last expedient. Had it been the
desire Of the United States to inter.
fere in the affairs OF Cuba, repeated
opportunities for doing 40 have been
presented within the last few years,
but we have remained passive and
have performed our whole duty and
all International Oblig ations to Spain
with friendly .firnness and. fidelity
and with a spirit Of patience aud for
| bearahce which negatives evory possi-
BILE suggestions Of desire to interfere or
add 10 difficulties with which SHE has
been surrounded. The government
OF Spain has recently submitted to our
4 Minister at Madrid certain proposals
which may be found to be the basis Of
4 All actual submission Of terms to meet
tho requirements Of the particular
griefs Of which this government has
felt itself entitled to complain. These
proposals have not reached me in their
toll text. On their arrival they will
be taken into careful examinatien, and
may, hope. lead to a satisfactory ad-
lustment Of the questions to which
they refer, and reineve the possibility
of future occurrences such as have
given rise to onr just complaints.
1t is understsod, also, that renewed
efforts are being made to introduce re.
forms in the internal administration
Of the island. Persuaded however
that proper regard for the Interests
of the United States aud Of its citizeni
entitled to relief from the strain t.
which it has been sutjected by th'
ditiiculties Of the questions and th'
wrongs and losses which arise from
:, the contest in Cuba, aud that the in
!, terests of humanity itself demand th'
I cessation Of strife before the whole
: island shall be laid waste, and lsrs'
/ sacrifices Of life be made. I shall fee
it my duty should my hopes Of q sat
l isfactsry adjustment aud Of the earl!
restoration OF peace aud the remova
of future cause Of complaint, to maxi
further communication to Congress
{ ut some period not far remote ant
= during the present session, recon
. meuding what may then seem 10 IN
to be the necessary appropriation t
: the favorable consideration Of Con
gress.r
The powers Of Europe, almost with
e out exceptit q many of Il o Seut
!, American States, and even the NOR
r distant Eastern powers have mani
/ tested their friendly sentiments tC
ward the United States and the inter
j. est Of the world in cur progress b
i taking steps to join with US in cele
e bratimg the centennial of the natior
Il and I strongly recommend that
e more national importance be given
II this exhibition by such legislation All
h by such appropriation as will insur
Il its success. Its value in bringing
a our shores innumerable works OF Al
y and skill, the cOmmingling Of the CT
l. izens Of foreign countries aud OF
h own. and the interchange OF ideas all
Ia manufactures, will far exceed any pc
: cuniary outlay we may make.
r, transmit herewith the report Oft
y Commissioner of Agriculture, togetl