The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-12-12
THE RIGHT THING OR NOTHING.

The opening session Of the United
States senate is distinguished by the
expected flood Of buncombe over the
Cuban situation The average politi-
elan is anxious to obtain credit for pa
triotism at the smallest cost possible
to himself. The average Republican.
remembering that his party is about to
come into power, would like to fool the
people into believing that 1t has a. mo-
nopoly Of sympathy for liberty, with
out raising embarrassing questions of
fact to confront the new administra-
ton. 1t is not surprising, therefore. to
md the Minneapolis Tribune echoing
the general sentiment that what this
country ought to do is to recognize
the independence of the Cuban repub-
lie, and take no other steps that would
involve us in probable difficulties with
Spain.
This is the counsel Of weakness, ire
sponsibility and want Of courage to
back convictions. The United States
should do the right thing toward Cuba,
or 1t should do nothing. The time for
halfway measures has passed. Any
act taken by this country expressing
sympathy with Cuba and tending TO
increase the difficulties of the Spanish
arms will provoke as much hostility as
an overt act against Spain. Any such
act as is contemplated in the resolu-
ton of Senator Cameron, or that of SEN
ator Call, gives US the name without
the game. 1t puts us in the familiar.
raise and foolish position of expressing
a watery sympathy that is like sniff
fling over a beggar who asks aims of
you and walking on without giving
him penny. There is no such thing
as Cuban republic to recognize. An
act of recognition by our congress
would be an empty farce. It was point
ed out long ago that recognition by
this country, in the event of the estab-
hshment by the insurgents of a gov
eminent to recognize, would be a doubt
ful favor. 1t could confer no practical
benefit upon the Cuban patriots. while
1t would subject them to certain diff
culties from which they are now free.
But the subject is not a practical one
now, because, as is shown conclusiveIy
in the report of Mr. Olney and the
message of President Cleveland. there
is no revolutionary government in ex-
istence in the island of Cuba TODAY.
Thre is no government there at all.
There is absolutely nothing to "recog-
nize." resolution having that for its
effect could accomplish nothing but TO
reflect discredit upon this country for
making cheap professions that it did
not dare to make effective.
The duty of the United States in the
matter is clear to our mind. We
utterly abhor that species of for
eign policy which has become known IS
Jingoism. We believe it to be de-
parture from the best traditions of the
United States which is scarcely less
than crime for us to go outside of our
own boundaries with the object of in
terfering with established governments
or attempting to extend our influence
over alien territory. Such was the
quality of our action in Hawaii. Where
q situation exists like that in Cuba we
consider it one not for political expedi-
ency, or for the application of a gen
eral rule of foreign policy, but a clear
case OF humanity. The duty that rests
upon this nation is the same as that
which confronts man when he sees
big rufffan pounding an inoffensive
citizen to death and refuses to inter
fere. The situation in Cuba calls for
action by the United States Our bust
ness interests, our good name, our rep
utaticn as q people who love liberty
and would sacrifice something for it,
unite In declaring that we can no long
er maintain an attitude of neutrality
without dishonor. But if we are to in
terfere. let us interfere to some pur-
pose. What we do, If we do anything.
should be TO take possession of the
island of Cuba by the military forces
of the United States for the purpose of
expelling its cruel and wicked masters,
and restore 1t to the Cuban people
themselves. II we do this, we do it.