The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1876-01-24

at length 10 the views entertained the plcS--
dent and to the position of this government. 1t
was then more thar five years since an
ORGANIZED INsURREouoN
had broken out which the government Of Spain
had been entirely unable TO suppress. AT that
time the firm conviction of the president was
announced that, whatever might be the Weiss
tudes OF the struggle and whatever efforts mig
be put forth by the Spanish power In Cuba, 1lN
doubt could be enter aimed that the hnal issue
of the conflict would be to break the bonds
which attached Cuba, as a colony, TO spain.
which this government, as one of the family of
nations, owes TO another member, by pubic
law. treaties, or the particular statutes OF the
/ United States, 1t would be idle TO attempt to
conceal the interest and sympathy with which
the Americans in the United States
regard any attempt OF a numerous people
on this continent to be relieved of ties which
hold them in the position of colonial subjects to
enoe and right OF self control which natural
rights and the spirit of the age accord to them
When, moreover, this struggle is in progress on
onr very borders, and from its commencement
bas involved the property and interests OF c.ti-
zens of the United States, has disturbed our
tranquility and commerce, has called upon us
/ rot unfrequently TO witness barDarous VIOLA
( pslIed' for the sake of humanity. to raise our
| voice by way of protest, and when, more than
| ell, we see in the contest the final slrugge In
| this hemisphere between slavery and freedom,
IL would be strange, indeed, n the government
| and people OF this country failed at any time 10
| take peculiar interest In the determination OF
such a contest. In this early instruction was
| expressed q sincere and unselhsh hope of the
1
| seek some honorable and satisfactory ADJUST
ment, based upon emancipation and selfgov-
| the prospect ola return ofprosperity 10 Cuba.
| AmOat two years have passed since
those strons hopes expressed, AID it would
| appear that the situation has in no
| respect improved. The horrors of war have, in
no perceptible manner, abated. The inconve-
niences and injuries which we then suffered
The ravages Of war have touched all parts OF the
land and well nigh ruins d its financial and agf1
| cultural system and its relations to the com
merce of the world. No effective steps have
| been taken to establish reforms and remedy
| abuses, and the effort to suppress the insurrec
| ton by force alone has been a complete failure
| In the meantime the material interests OF trade
| and of commerce are impaired to degree which
calls for remOnstrance, If not for another line Of
| conduct on the part of all commercial nations.
| Whether IL be from the severity and 1nhuman-
| ity with which the effort has been made TO
| suppress the instruction and from a supposed
justification of retaliation for the violation of
the rue OF civilized warfare by other VIC ations
| and by acts of barbarism, of incendiarism and
outrage, the world is witnessing on the part OF
| the insurgents whom Spain still claims as SUD-
JectS and for whose acts as subjec
| SPAIN MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE
in the judgment of the world, warfare not OF
legitimate strife of relative force and strength, but
| of pillage aud lncendiarism, the burn
| ing of estates and of sugar mills
| the destruction of the means OF produc-
| ton and of the wealth of the island.
The United States purchases more largely than
/
| OF CuDa, and, therefore, more than any other for
this reason, and still more by reason OF its inn
arrest of a system OF wanton destruction which
disgraces the age and affects every commercial
people en- the face of the globe. Under the cir
cumstances, and in view OF the fact that Spain
has rejected all suggestions all offers of reform
and offers of mediation made by this
government, aud has refused all measures
looking to a reconciliation, except upon terms
| which mske reconciliation impossibility,
the difficulty of the situation becomes increased
l When, however, In addition 10 these general
causes of difficulty, we find the Spanish govern
ment nsglectful also of obligation, treaty and
solemn compacts, and unwilling 10 afford any
redress for the long continued and well founded
serious question how long this condition of
things can or should be allowed to exist, and
com.els us to inquire whether the
longer endurance ceases to be possible. Dur
ing all this time and under these aggravated
to nerforssa her ebiis@sions 10 spain as scrupu.
lousy as toward other nations. In fact. it might
be said that we have not only been long suf-
fertng because of the embarrassments surround
ing the Spanish government but particularly
the same reason. regret to say that
the authorities of Spain have not at ali times
these respects, and while insisting that a state
OF war does not exist in Cuba and that no
insure uonists, have at the same time de-
manded for the mselves all the rights and privi-
| war. 1t will be apparent that
can not continue. 1t is absolutely necessary to
the maintenance OF our relations with Spain,
even on their present footing. that our just de-
mands for the return to citizens of the United
States of Their estates in Cuba, unincunbered,
and for securing to them trial for o1enses &C.
cording to treaty provisions. All other rights,
s6oaid Be Complied coy s w nRa wRRsshe G a sSe
pabeasn government 1S,s appGeSiatIng TIE
speedily and satisfactorily adjust the pending
questions not by issue OF empty orders. or de-
crees without force or effect in Cuba, but by
comprehensive and firm measures, which shall
everywhere be respected, / anx1ously await
further intelligence. Moreover, apart + ON
president the time has arrived when the inter-
ests Of this country, the preservation of its COM
that some speedy and satisfactory ending be
made of the strife which is devastating Cuba.
Seven Tea9s cC anrston ba more than
strated the inability OF Spain to maintain peace
In an island lying at our door, Desolation and
the destruction OF life and property have been
the only results of this conflict. The United
States sympathizes with the TACT that this ina.
bility results In large degree from the un happy
condition ofSpain at home and 10 some extent
from the distractions which are dividing her
people. But the fact remains that added TO this
are a large expanse of ocean separating the pc
ninsula from the leland and want OF harmony
and OF personal sympathy between the inhabf-
tants OF the territory OF the home government
and those OF the colony, the distribution OF Of
jects the want OF adaptation of the ancient CO.
ionlal system OF spain to the present
OF the past age have impressed upon
the people st Of every Teading and ihinsing eoun
system ofcolonial dependence and is reaping the
Dement'S In contentedness and the peaceful pros
ecution OF the arts OF peace and in the channels
OF commerce and of industry In the colonies
which under restraint might have questioned
and resisted the power of control from distant
/ government and might have exhibited, as does
Cuba, chronic condition Of insurrectionary
turbulence and rebellion. In addition to all
this, II can not be questioned that the continued
maintenance. In the face of DEGREES and en-
actments to the contrary, of a compulsory sys-
tenn of slave labor is a cause of disquiet and OF
excitement to large class in the island, as also
In the United States, which the government OF
Spain has led us, by
| VERY DISTINCT ASSURANCES,
to expect should be removed, and which the en-
lightened Christianity of the age condemns.
The contest and disorder in Cuba affect the