The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-12-11

make long pauses, ending only with the
close ofthe meeting. The gathering was un-
der the management of the Club Jose MART.
Occupying the most conspicuous place on
the platform was fine bust Of Jose MART,
seen from the audience against back
ground formed by the Cuban National coat
OF arms. On either side were American
flags, and the speakers stand formed the
centre of circle Of flags representing the
South American republics which have freed
themselves from monarchical rule. In the
audience were many women, who seemed to
be leaders in the enthusiasm, their voices
sounding high and clear above the deeper
cheering of the men. Before the meeting
opened petitions were circulated, which read
as follows:
s'shall Cuba be free? To the Congress Of
the United States. We, the undersigned,
petition your honorable body to take such
action as shall result in the speedy recog-
milton as belligerents Of the Cuban patriots
now engaged in the struggle for liberty and
freedom"
It was said that more than 5000 signatures
had already been obtained. Before 8 o'clock
the band began to play, and when 1t struck
up the "Star. r.Spangled Banner the liberty
loving Cuban sympathizers all but drowned
moment later they broke out again at the
W
yankee Doodle"
On the platform we're the orators. the
yice-Presidents and the guests. Among
them were Charles A. Dana, John E. Mil
holland, Rev. Thomas Dixon: Jr., Anthony
Church, Father Ducey, Samuel Gompers.
Horatio s. Rubens, Estrada Palma, Gonzalo
de Quesada, Juan Fraga, Buenaventura
Portuondo, Emilto Agramonte. Atero
Garcia. DR.. Menocal, Colonel Emilio Nunez,
Senos Rivas, Mr.. Gerardo Forrest, Augustin
Agramonte, Lawson N. Fuller. Judge J.
Bchuchman. Alderman Oakley and Dr.. En-
Hque Agramonte.
The meeting was called to order promptly
at o'clock by Henry Lincoln Winter, the
Secretary Of the organization known as the
Club Marti, who introduced Charles A.
Dana as Permanent Chairman: MI; Dana vas
Escorted to the chair by DR.. Portuondo,
President OF the club. and the Minister of
the insurgent republican Government, Senior
T. Estrada Palma. He was received with
applause that was continued for some min
utes. Mr.. Dana respectfully accepted the
chair and referred to the dead leader, Jose
Marti, as dear friend. He pronounced a
eulogy upon him and said that wherever
liberty dwelt there was the Cuban's country.
II cannot, however, altogether share that
animosity against Spain," he declared,
''WulCu luJ SuDdu uOol tOWdIo nOIs
Spain has, unfortunately, inherited her evils,
her selishness and her poverty, aud by
shameless robbery OF the beautiful Island of
Cuba she has fattened as does the wolf upon
The hapless Iamb?"
In closing his remarks, Mr.. Dana said that
Cuba should be free.
Editor Dana was followed by William
:Sulzer, Rev. Thomas Dixon, Henry L. De
.Zayas and Father Ducey.
Samuel Gompers pledged the support OF
the working people Of the United States In
behalf Of the Cubans.
John E. Mulholand hailed Cuba as the
young Republic Of the Antilles and the
youngest Of the century.
The Secretary then read letters expressing
warmest hopes for the future of Cuba, and
confidence In her eventually winning her IT,
dependence, from the Hon. Amos J. Cum
mings, Governor Mcintyre, OF Colorado
Governor Culberson. of Texas; Clarence
King, Ethan Allen, General N. T. Mc0Iahon
the Rev. ". s. Rainsford, William F. Ball
John Fox, Rabbi Joseph Silverman, Russell
A. Alger, Governor Allen, Of North Dakota
William E. Chandler, Augustus W. Peters
Governor Upham, Of Wisconsin; General
Daniel Butterheld, Patrick Egan and Andrew
Carnegie.
This resolution was unanimously adopted
"Rssolved, That we extend our sympathy
to the Cuban people in their struggle FOL
freedom and independence, and We call OF
Congress and the President OF the United
States and request them to grant belligerent
rights to the Cuban Republic"