National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-05-17
Sympathy for the Cubans.

FROM Tue EgTdCust IN 1 } JOuIn Il.
The Assembly of this State yesterday adopt
ed resolutions expressing sympathy with the
struggling Cuban patriots, and while disclaim-
ing any party or political bias, expressing the
opinion that "the time has arrived when it is
the duty of the Government of the United
States to take such action as is best calculated
TO terminate the war now waging in the Island
Of Cuba, and secure to its people the advan-
tBges of a free government" and requesting
the Senators and Representatives in Congress
from this State TO pass such measures as will
secure to the Republic Of Cuba all the rights
and privileges belonging to belligerents in war
The resolutions were introduced by Speaker
Mcclure, and were supported by Mr.. AlVord,
Mr.. Davis and others. Mr.. Vedder moved to
amend by adding the following: provided the
same can be done without violation of inter
national law or the settled policy of the United
States" Mr.. Seward sustained the amend
ment and the spirit of the resolutions. The
amendment was rejected.
During the discussion Mr.. Alvord spoke in
favor Of the resolutions. He said that If he
occupied the position of President of the United
States he should certainly recognize the bel
ligerency Of the struggling Cubans. Mr.. Bar
row also spoke briefly, and is reported as fol-
lows:
No one sympstbizes more heartily than do
with the struggling Cubans or with any people
strugginE IoI tneH IDertlss wnososysF or what
has said what he would have done had he been
President Of the United States. Now, sir can
President Of the United States, or had 1 been
member Of the Congress Of the United States
The knowledge we have is very imperfect, and
have such faith, sir, in the General Government
such perfect confidence in its sense Of justice that
] do not believe, with our imperfect information,
In recommendinEsDy action to the General Gov
mt NJ IN a tat In In
For these reasons shall vote against this resO-
luton.
In the course of Mr.. Stewards remarks, he
said that he supported the resolutions not
merely as an expression of sympathy, but on
grounds of public policy, and added:
Of events. Cuba is still retained in her pTovin.
cial condition, although 1t grows every year more
manifest that It would be for the best interests Of
both parties TO the struggle IL she was free. Gas
lillian pride is reluctant to relax dominion over
the Ever Faithful Isle, yet 1t would be better,
not only for labor, but better for Spain herself
better Tor the United States, for the world and
for humanity II the island was to-day free and
independent Republic, or q part Of our own
Union, with the same benehcent form Of govern
ment that We enjoy.
The resolutions were adopted by rising
vote and without the formality Of division.
We believe this expression of sympathy for the
Cuban patriots, and of q desire that they
should have belligerent rights accorded them,
is entertained by our countrymen almost with
out exception. We have confidence, however,
that the Government is thoroughly informed
upon the subject in all its bearings, and that
its position Of neutrality has had sufficient
justification. But Il is apparent that the Span
ish Government is not able to crush out the
rebellion, and that what at the outset was an
insurrection has become a popular revolution.
The struggle has now been in progress for six
years, and has been marked with greater atroc-
tiles than any other civilized warfare of modern
times. In the interest of humanity, it is time
there was an end put TO the Cuban struggle,
and it can scarcely be doubted that the recoy-