The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1895-11-22
A PLEA FOR CUBA.
Eloquent Address by Governor
Matthews, of Indiana,
HE FAYORS THE RECOGNITION
or the Bulllserent Rights OF the struE-
CLING PatriOtS-It Would lie Consistent
With the Spirit OF soventy-sir aud The
Monroe DoCtrlns-A Great Meeting In
Philadelphia Cheers the Governors
speeeh-A Tribute to cuba,


Philadelphia, Pa, Nov. 2i.-The
Academy Of Music was thronged to-
night the occasion being the annual
gathering OF the Philadelphia Antie-
tam Brigade Association.
Governor Matthews, OF Indiana, was
the orator of the occasion and his ad-
dress was received with marked favor
by the large and representative audi
ence.
Passing hurrIedly through the pre-
lIminaries OF the courtesies OF the hoa-
ored guest, Governor Matthews at once
turned to the Cuban question and en-
braced the opportunity 70 90 on record
with some ringing sentiments in favor
OF the cause for which the Cubans are
now vallantly struggling, lie said In
part:
"There is n significance in this meet
Ing here tonight which passes far be-
yond the ordinary, in the consideration
OF one OF the most perplexlnB political
problems OF the day. II Is the assem-
ullllk VI tlllAtllh W ~ kltuAt INV lNiAF-
lie, who, with the memories OF struggles
past, and victories won In the sacred
name OF liberty; with o cheering. abid-
Ing faith In representative government
nchlcved, of human rights and the uni
verBal brotherhood OF man, with CRATE
ful hearts beating In purest sympathy
with people struggling to be free.
LESS than 100 miles on from our eH-
leme southern conSt Is the beautiful
island OF the sea, Cuba, The finest cm-
ciald In the crown of Ferdinand and
Isabella when Spain was at the acme OF
her glory and Tenown--an island OF
beauty beyond compare and rich In re-
sources unmeaBurvd.
Embracing over forty thousand
square miles OF territory and popula-
ton OF less than two millions, and cap
able OF sustaining many times that
number. with climate unsurpassed and
nature bountful in advantnBes-as
nation OF freedom and not OF slaves,
who could undertake to measure Its
possibilities7
wlthcrlng under the banefuland blight
Ing rule, through heroic courage and
undnunted patriotism all continental
Spanish America rebellCd against the
deSpotlsm of the mother country and
became free and Independent nations
Our own government recognized the In
dependence OF these then weak and
struggling nations II was In connec-
tion with subsequent events arising out
OF this that came the celebrated Mon
roe doctrtne'L'Thnt the American con-
tInents should no longer be subjects for
any new European colonial settlement.
"The wrongs against which we re-
brlled were not half so gTievous. nor
the bnrbnrouB crueltles nearly so great;
and yet the same great principles are
involved that aroused to action our
fathers In lTT6 Revolution has follow
ed revolution, hut all TO no avail, be-
cause from Cuba's peculiar position.
the armed vessels OF Spain have closed
her people In from all the world. De-
fcnted often have they been and put on
with promises Of reform which never
were kept and with promises OF repre-
sentation In the national courts, yet
their representatives knocking at the
door have been laughed to scorn and
the native Cuban has had no voice In
the humblest affairs Of government.
'Is II not time that these struggling
freemcn should have thrown around
them the protection. at least, that may
come 10 recognized bellig0rents? What
would he most hitting that n people af-
fordlng the granaest example OF free
example which ,he world has ever
known shnmld be the first TO accord
such rights TO people seeking that
which we already have-a people geo.
graphically and through every COM
mercial and Industrial interest insep-
urably connected with our own and the
other American republlcs2
"Ict not my words be construed Into
reflection or criticism on our govern
ment. have an abiding faith In the
eternal principles OF our government.
and In the courage. the justice and the
wisdom Of the men whom we have cho-
sen TO direct It's affairs. In good time
viii they do that which seemeth to
them right and just and wise and re-
cognlEc the duty and obligation resting
upon the grent republic Of theworld.
I'VE, as n government, with high re-
gard for national honor and national
dignity, may be reserved conservative
md Diplomatic, but as Individual cltl-
zons we mny span the dividing waters
with hopeful. generous sympathy and
bid God speed 10 the Cuban patriot In
HIS sublime hope and his holy ambi.
tlons. Ills cause Ia Just, the right shall
prevail, and in Gods own time Cubn
Will be free"
General Frazer. chairman OF the
meeting, announced Mt liz clofe that he
hnd lust received word that COngregs-
man Amos Cummings. Of New York,
wna nj the present moment preparing
revolution TO present 10 Congress, re-
cognlEing Cuba. The meeting hdopted
resolution calling on Congress TO take
action.