Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-01-31
TWO KINDS OF REBELS.

II would be q very cheeky thlnS LOT
the United States Senate TO include in
any resolution that it may pass on the
Cuban question a request that spain
should agree TO exchange prisoners with
me so-called rebels" This is subject
upon which our government would bet
der keep mum" for 1t cannot be sup
posed that the Spaniards are ignorant
of the fact that for twelve months or
more. and this at the very crisis of az
fairs. the United States refused 10 eX-
change prisoners with the Coniederates.
People who live in glass houses should
not throw stones. a nation That COM
passed the deaths of thousands Of prison
ers by violating the cartel and refusing
10 continue exchanges. as IL had agreed
10 do. should not so out of its way TO
preach 10 spain her duties with respect
In the amenities Of civilized warfare.
Not only did Mr. Lincoln and General
Grant compel us to keep their prisoners
when we hadn't the food with which TO
feed them. but they delayed for three
months 10 send foI their prisoners after
We had informed them that we would
release them without demanding man
for man. Furthermore, Lincoln and
Grant declared that medicines for the
sick and wounded Confederates were con-
traband of war and could not come into
our territory.
Considering how harsh was the treat
ment of US by the Federal Government,
We are gratified and amazed at the ten
derness exhibited toward the Cuban re-
bels. 1t makes the position OF the
United States Government a very incon-
sistent one; still we must say that 1t is
I'm the right now. and We trust that 1t
will do all that it can TO obtain for the
Cuban rebels those privileges connected
with the exchange of prisoners and care
of sick and wounded which ii denied 10
the Confederates
furthermore. We wish TO see our gov
eminent acknowledge the oelligerency or
The Cuban rebels as soon as II may De
done with propriety. We believe that the
most that stands in the way OF this ac-
tion is the alleged fact that the rebels
have not been able 10 establish capt.
raj and maintain stable government.
We'll. as to the government, that
of the rebels has been almost as stable
as that of the royalists in Cuba, and
as for capital, why the rebels hope soon
10 take possession Of Habana-the right
ful capital of the Cuban people.
The spanish Government is head over
heels in debt and has little credit. and
cannot continue TO hold Cuba at the price
Il is now paying. The Pear! OF the An
lilies has come TO be a possession that
costs more than II comes TO. OF course
Spanish national pride revolts at the idea
of parting with cuba. hut national PRIDE
will not float new loans 10 raise new ar
mics 10 be sacrificed in the swamps of
Cuba.
sooner or later Cuba Will be free Ana
IL ought 10 be free. By arms the spanish
.olors we're planted upon that island. and
lv arms they will be removed.
We who came into national existence
through rebellion cannot but sympathize
with the Cuban patriots who are now
xxarln.. war upon their tyrans rulers.
1le would have the United States 80 as
far as II may with propriety 80 to Sc
s,,re Tor the patriots such terms as Will
lessen the seventies OF war; but We
warn the Washington authorities not to
-lay themselves open"-as the resolution
reported from the Senate committee
xxould do--to be reminded by Spain that
Grant and Lincoln cut short the exchange
of prisoners at a time when II meant
death 10 thousands of men.