The record-union., 1896-12-22


been taxed to the verge of poverty. the
civil courts of justice have been closed,
and in their stead established mill
tary despotism. Without trial the ma
tive born" have suffered the decree of
banishment, Imprisonment and death
The mere caprice of the ruler has Leen
appeaSed by the death of the enslayed.
and even murmur of discomfort at
all this has opened a grave. The re-
solve of the Cuban patriots to avenge
these wrongs we fully justify, and their
noble and heroic warfare-friendlines
and unarmed against their we'll pro-
vided versary-enduring every hard
ship, shrinking from no sacrifice, Civ
ing their cities to the flames rather than
to the foe-entitle them to the sym
pathy and admiration of Christian ma
tionS.
Resolved That the enormous military
ana naval forces of the kingdom of
Spain engaged in Cuba during a period
of now nearly two years, having so far
failed to reduce the insurgents, and
these insurgents, as We are informed
by the highest official authority of this
Nation, being as irresistible to-day as
When they first moved to combat: and,
furthermore, having meanwhile or
ganized and maintained Government
as perfect and stable in all it's parts as
was the Government of these colonies
When washington was at Valley Forge.
In view OF all these facts the Cuban re-
public is entitled to receive forthwith
from this Nation an official recognition
of its independence. Such action by
the United States would not only be in
accordance with international law, and
also in harmony with the rule enun,
ciated by President Monroe-that any
attempt on the part of European Pow
erS to enforce their system over any
portion of this hemisphere against the
will of its people would be considered
by the United States as dangerous to
their peace and liberty. And we depre-
cate and condemn that conservatism
which favors monarchy at the expense
OF repubhcanism, which permits the
oppressor to equip his armies upon our
soil and forbids this privilege to the
oppressed. And If this conservatism is
enforced because of our neutrality laws,
then we call upon our representatives in
the councils of the Nation to change the
laws
Resolved, That in our Judgment he
mistakes the impulses which sway the
American people, who says: They
view with wonder and admiratio the
cheerful resolution with which vast
bodies of men are sent by Spain across
thousands of miles of ocean that the
costly gem of the Antilles may still hold
its place in the Spanish CROWN On the
contrary, the American people view
with horror this energy of demons,
whose purpose is to continue the rob-
berry and slaughter of inoffending SUBJ
jects.
Resolved, That we Indignantly re-
pudlate the idea that our heartlesS
trea tment of the Cuban patriots should
be continued, because otherwise diff
culties are to be apprehended with
Spain. We have no desire for a con-
test with that kingdom, nor with any
other nation. Peace is our constant
aim, except when it becomes power
less to maintain it. In the issue now
before us we simply ask that our duty
shall be done, as we are given to see
that duty, according to divine and hu-
man laws. And having determined up
CT what is our duty and our right to
do, we propose to do it, though it calls
the world 10 arms. And while we re-
pudiate any selfish motives by our eff
forts on behalf of Cuba, at the same
time we cannot fail to observe that this
island is geographically SO situated that
it's liberation from it's European dom
inaItion would be greatly to our national
advantage. Upon the broad principles
of national safety which govern the
powers of Europe we would be justified
in it's absolute appropriation, but by
that rule of justice which forbids us to
seize territory against the will of it's
people, the same rule of justice which
forbids the Kingdom of Spain to en-
force her domination over a. resisting
American colony, we can only ask that
Cuba, as a free and independent State,
by herself and for herself, shall deter
mine her own future.
Resolved, That the Cuban League of
the United States, organized to diff
fuse the sentiments and to secure to
Cuba by all legal means the inalienable
on until its mission is accomplished.
And in furtherance of its objects we
ask that a copy of these resolutions as
expressive of the sense of this meeting
be forwarded to the representatives of
the people in Congress and other
branches of the Government.