The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-04-25
SEATTLE, THURSDAY, APRIL e5
SPANISH A>fERrcAS REPUBLICS.

The natural Impulse OF all Americans
T. to syInpa thixo with every movement
fn other nations 10 shake of a foreign
yoke. where thus afflicted. or 10 alter the
form OF their government towards
democratic type when the existing form
Is monarchlcai Thus. every revolt
against the Spanish domination IN Mex
leo. Central and South America had the
warm support Of this country. and ma
terial and diplomatic assistance as well.
ali OF which tended to bring about
the successful revolutions.
The same sympathy is felt 70 some ex-
tent with the present revolutionary
movement IN Cuba. although e must be
confessed that she feeling = not as
widespread and hearty I'm It's manifesto
tions as was displayed earlier In the
century. when other Spanish colonies
were battling fer home rule and an in
dependent existence.
The reason for this apathy Is not hard
TO find. our people have been forced 10
believe. ardent republicans as they arc
that the CONGRATULATIONS OF the peclara-
4lon Of Independence were almost too
Rwesping. and that there are s0me races
which have not as yet that capacity for
self- government under republican forms
which the Anglo-saxon race has display
ell. The spanish American republics are
not shining examples OF good govern
ment under popular auspices. In fact
in TOO many of them Il ia a matter OF
doubt whether liberty IS any more en-
joyed or life and property as safe "a
under the worst OF spanish misgovern-
fnent.
The history OF many OF those states
seems 10 DO an unyarylng record OF In
surrectlous. revolutions usurpatlons and
diotatorships. There Is no such thing IN
some Of them as "a free expression
through the polls OF tho choice OF tina
people. Constitutions are bat written
paper and their restrictions treated with
contempt by whatever faction, happens
by diut OF successful revolt 20 he tenn
p0rarily in control OF the government.
The worst feature OF It ali seems 10
be the hioo3thlrsty cruelty which at
tends every one OF these periodical rnvo-
lutions. Not that the battles which take
place between conlendipE factions ever
result IA amy great loss OF ne bat ths
victims. az = rule. shoot down IN cold
blood their principal political opponents
Il they are captured.
Tho ealy syatem Of government ia any
OF these states which seems for q time
TO bring peace and fair degree OF sccu-
rtty 10 property, ana consequent prosper
~ 20 the community. is whca some
strong man selxes The reius ana. als-s-
gardlng tho flimsy restraints 81 the pa
per constitution. governs tho country as
au autoerat,
With this as tho experience Of the past
there Is good reason why many conser-
vative American citizens are not particu-
larly interested IA seeing the Cubaus
successful So IA war with Spain The
spanish government Is admittedly or
pressivo and bad On many respects. The
burdens Of taxation arc great ans yes
wHhat tho country = not entirely ms
prosperous While the co}onists DO not
have local SELF government they have
more voice Ia the imperial Tovernmeu.
thar any English colony has. for they
have their own representative So the
Spanish CorJes Certainly life ard prop
erty II as secure as in aay Other span
tsh-Anerican state. ana liberty az specch
and action permitted 60 at least as large
. degree.
Even with The present revolutionary
movement on hand lt may - stated that
10 part - cuba today presents as hsi
condition Or Affairs as Is deposited GA
one OF tbe eldest Of tse Spanish Am erie
can republics Peru-Whcre a revolution
Is now lu pregre~S