The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-11-22

most Ohtspokea expressions of sympathy
Tor CUBA yet made IN this city were heard
tonight at a meeting al the Academy Of
Music, under the auspices OF the Fhiladel-
Dhla brigade and in aid Of their Antietam
monument fund. The speakers were GOV.
Claude Matthews, of Indiana; Gen. Con
zales de Quesada. secretary OF the revoiu-
tionaTy party in the United States. and
capt. " ". Kerr. owner n the steamer
Laurada. Strong resolutions were adopt
ca calling upon congress Immediately att
er conFening 10 request President Glove
land 10 recognize the Cuban republic with
out delay. Gen. Palma. minister plcnipo-
tenuary OF the Cuban republic, and
number OF prominent local 'Cubans were
present. Gov. Matthews said:
The pages OF history nowhere reveal
more atrocious crimes against humanity
more cruel warfare. more wicked oppres-
sion. more examples Of outraged truth and
justice, nor greater crimes against all
Christian civilization, than have marked
Spanish misruie and despot!sm in Cuba A
gem upon the sea. Il would have been a
mine of wealth 10 It's possessors through
the fostering care Of home rule, and would
have wei repIenished the depleted treas
ury Of a decayed and efrete nation. Bat
the reverse has been true With but the
selfish greed Of revenue. cuba has been
drained and robbed and despolled anti
In the destruction Of her own prosperity
crushing out the hopes and ambitions and
energies Of her people; she scarcely yields
revenue 10 the greedy oppressor. Debt
upon debt has accumulated, reaching the
enormous sum of over 500 per capita. The
system OF taxation - the most oppressive.
brutal and degrading ever instituted by
any government. BurdensOme taxes are
lad upon all trade, upon every industry
and enterprise, upon public and domestic
he
grave. It's exercise breeds corruption and
bribery IN the public Official. and the in
habitant. excluded from holding even the
humblest office. is robbed Of the last rem
nant Of political, civil and religious liberty
All revenues derived from taxes must flow
70 Spain through Spanish oficea,s. and
mere the Cuban must pay for the privf-
lege Of both buying and selling. For near
~ 400 years has IL been SO. with nothing
expended for Cuba's development. her
taxes only serving 10 furnish means for
sun greater oppression and 20 more firm
~ r'Vet the chains which bound her in her
degradation and shame. The wrongs against
Wh'ch We rebclled were not half so grie>-
Gus, the barbarous cruelties not half 20
great and yet the same great principles
are involved that aroused to action our
Fathers in lT6. With al these disadvan-
tages. the Cuban patriot has been brave
and has fought a good fight Cuba's sons
have inhaled the atmosphere Of this lib
erty-loving country. and their souls have
been enkiHdlcd with the fires which we
have lighted.
There IS presented to US a question
which We cannot well escape. r cry com
ing across the waters for svmp4tbv ana
Tor aid. % which We cannot much longer
close our ears and hearts This appeaI
comes direct to us. There are appeals for
help al times when 1t becomes almost a
crime not TO stFetcn out The hand with
needed aid. when aid and encouragement
means salvation. life. peace and happiness.
and their refusal sorrow suffering. daRra-
daton and death. Let not my words he
construed into reflection or criticism on
our government. l have an abiding faith
IN the eternal principles Of our government
and in the courage the justice and the wis
dom Of these whom we have chosen 10 di-
rect !ts affairs In good time they viii do
that which sC5meth to them right and Just
and wise. and recognize the duty and oh
ISailon resting upon the great republic Of
the world When ID IS asked that bfllig-
eront rights ae heartily and speedily ac-
corded 70 the long suffering defenders OF
Cuban freedom, i, IS that they may have z
broader opportunity 10 present their claims
- the world and become subject 20 the
rules of civilized warfare. WIN these sc-
corded. the question ~ Independence VIII
be for after consideration. when brayeIy
and wor'h.iy mer.,ed
What claim. J ask. has Spain upon ;ha
further Indulgence az the civilized ma
tons ~ uaukiu37 T. would az leas; ba
difficult o. conceive that any mode ot
government could be worse for Cuh9 than
tina. Wh.rb She wo1li now sqsru Nor is
the question of annexation 20 ba ccnsid-
cred a this tiue. nor whe. her Cuh8 may
place another star upon tAo dl.e drld -