Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-08

and indirectly promote the insurrectlon
through the press by public meetings.
by the purchase and shipment OF arms.
oy the raising OF funds. and by other
means which the spirit of our nstitu-
ions and the tenor OF our laws do not
! permit To be made the subject Of crifni-
hal prosecutions. Some of them, though
Cubans al heart, and in all their feelings
ana interests. have taken out papers as
ndturalized citizens Of the United States.
"A proceeding resorted to with view 10
possible protection by this government,
and not unnaturally regarded with much
Indignation by the country of their origin.
The insurgents are undoubtedly encour-
aged and supported by the widespread
| sympathy the people of this country
| always and instnctively feel Tor
every struggle for better and freer
government, and which, in the
case Of the more adventurous and
restless elements Of our population, leads
in only too many instances to active and
personal participation in the contest. The
result Is that this government is con-
stantly called upon 10 protect American
citizens, 10 claim damages for injuries
| TO person and property estimated at many
| millions OF dollars. and 10 ask explana-
! tions and apologies for the acts OF the
| Spanish officials. whose zeal for the re-
| preston OF the rebellion sometimes blinds
them TO the immunities belonging TO the
unoffending citizens OF a friendly Power.
| Ii follows from the same causes that the
! United States is compelled to actively
! police a long line of seacoast against un-
| lawful expeditions. the escape OF which
the utmost vigilance will not always suf-
flee TO prevent.
DEMAND FOR INTERVENTION.
These inevitable entanglements Of the
| United States with the rebellion I'm Cuba,
the large American property interests
| affected. and considerations of philan-
| thropy and humanity in general, have
! led TO a vehement demand In various
| quarters for some sort OF positive in
| tervention on the part Of the United
/ States. 1t was at first proposed that bel
! ligerent rights should be accorded 10 the
| insurgents-a proposition no longer urged
| because untimely and in practical opera
/ tion clearly perilous and injurious TO our
own interests.
1t has since been, and is now sometimes
contended. that the independence OF the
insurgents should be recognized. But. i'm
! perfect and restricted as the Spanish
| government of the island may be, no
other exists there-uness the will OF the
military officer in temporary command Of
particular district can be dignihed as
species OF government. II is now also
suggested that the United States should
buy the island-a suggestion possibly
worthy Of consideration if there were any
evidence of a desire or willingness on the
part Of Spain TO entertain such proposal
II is urged, finally. that. all other methods
failing the existing internecine strife in
Cuba should be terminated by our inter-
venton, even at the cost OF a war be-
tween the United States and Spain-a
war which its advocates confidently pro-
phesy could be neither large in its propor-
tions nor doubtful in its issue. The cor
rectness of this forecast need be neither
affirmed nor denied. The United States
has nevertheless character 10 maintain
as a nation, which plainly dictates that
right and not might should be the rule OF
its conduct. Further. though the United
States is not a nation TO which peace is
a necessity. il Is in truth the most pa
cific of powers. and desires nothing 80
much as TO live i'm amlty with all the
world. Its own ample ana diversified do
mains satisfy all possible longings for
territory. preclude all dreams of conquest
and prevent any casting Of cOvetOus eyes
upon neighboring regions however at
tractive. That our conduct towards Spain
andeher dominions has constituted no ex-
ceptiOn to this national disposition is
made manifest by the course on our gov
ernment, not only thus far during the
present insurrection, but during the ten
years that followed the rising al Yara
IN 1868. No other great Power il may
safely be said. under circumstances OF
similar perpleXity. would have manifested
tho same restraint and the same ratfent
endurance. II may also be said that this
persistent attitude of the United States
towards Spain in connection with Cuba
unquestionably evinces no slight respect
nd I'd
American people. They. I'm truth. do not
forget her connection with the discovery
Of the Western Hemisphere, nor do they
underestimate the great qualities of the
Spanish people, nor fail to fully recognize
their splendid patriotism and their
chivalrous devotion to national honor
They view with wonder and admiration
the cheerful resolution with which vast
bodies Of men are sent across thousands
of miles Of ocean and an enormous debt
accumulated that the costly poesession
of the Gem Of the Antilles may still hold
its place in the Spanish Crown.
CUBAN GRIEVANCES.
And yet neither the Government nor
the people Of the United States have
shut their eyes to the course OF events
in Cuba. or have failed TO realize the
existence Of conceded grievances. which
have led to the present revolt from the
authority OF Spain-grievances recognized
by the Queen Regent and by the
Cortes-voiced by the most patriotic
and enlightened Of Spanish statesmen.
without regard to party. and demon
strated by reforms proposed By the
executive. and approved by the legis-
lative branch of the Spanish Govern
ment. It is in the assumed temper and
disposition Of the Spanish Government
10 remedy these grievances. fortified by
Indications of influential public opinion
in SPAIN that this government has hoped
TO discover the most promising and
effective means Of composing the pre-
sent strife with honor and advantage to
Spain, and with the achievement OF all
the reasonable objects of the insurrec-
ton
IL would seem that II Spain should
offer to Cuba genuine autonomy-a mea-
sure OF home rule which, while pre-
serving the sovereignty of Spain. would
satisfy all rational requirements Of her
Spanish subiects-there should be no
just reason why the paclfcation of the
island might not be effected on that
basis
Such a result would appear 10 be in
the true interest Of all concerned II
would at once stop the conflict which
Is now consuming the resources Of the
island and making IL worthless for
which ever party may ultimately prevail.
u would keen intact the possessions
of Spain. without touching her honor,
which would be consulted rather than
impungned by the adequate redress Of
admitted grievances. 1t would put the
prosperity Of the island and the for
tunes Of its Inhabitants within their
own control. without severine the ma
tural and ancient ties which bind them
30 the mother country. and would yet
enable them 10 test their capacity for
self-government under the most favora-
he conditions. 1t has been objected on