The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-12-11
cULLoM SPEAKS FOR CUBA.
Continued from First Page)

Continued from First Page)
not belong to Spain A line drawn from the
South Florida headlands to the mouth of
the Orinoeo places Cuba on the American
side. The great Antilean sea which sur
rounds Cuba and other islands is but an
extension of the Mexican gulf and. geo
graphically, CUBA belongs as, politically.
1t ought 10 belong, to the American conti-
nent of republics, and not to Spain or Eu-
rope. Geographically, Cuba is in Ameri-
can waters, and, politically, it is entitled
to statehood in the continent of American
republics. This great continental ques>
uon, therefore, when stripped of all its
complications, become, in plain and SIM
pie language. Shall Cuba be free?
Il believe it to be the duty of the United
States to use the great power attaching to
the nation TO declare and to maintain, as
prerogative of riglN, belonging generally
TO republicanism and specifically TO this
republic, that no charnel house of ruin
shall be continued in the West Indian wat
ers, whose waves break at our very
front gate, any longer than the time it
shall require to break it up. And if the
duty of suppressing this damning blot and
erasinS it forever from sight shall fall
alone upon the United States, so be It.
But we shall not stand alone in the
warfare which may follow in behalf of
common humanity. Nation after nation
will make joint cause with us in such a
struggle, and when we have succeeded and
snail have made into law the principle,
and made into history the fact, every other
country worth naming viii regret its mis-
take in not participating in the humane
work. The effort cannot fail. We shall
not wage any warfare for the acquisition
of territory for ourselves. We shall not
claim Cuba as a reward for saving her
from the slaughter, but we viii not see that
fair island turned again 10 the mercies Of
wild beasts and vultures of war
whose only stimulus is gain.
Cuba libre-fTee Cuba-is the reward
and what "a glorious reward will that be!
Every citizen of the United States Will feel
that his birthright as an American free
man will mean something. Every lover of
liberty the world over will eXult in the pro-
gress and advancement of man. The
breadth and stature of individual Ameri-
canism will be enlarged and enobled. If
other means fail. we may consider the
propriety of a fair purchase of Cuba. That
method has had its share of consideration
under previous administrations. 1t is not
that we want the territory, but we mean
that the trouble shall mean a just settle
ment and conclusion. Let the end come
and come quickly. Let the bloodshed cease
and let freedom and humanity be gloritied
THE wisdom and discretion of an Amer
lean President and cabinet can certainly
find a way to determine the trouble with
out imperrilling the interests of our coun-
try or our people. l have little choice or
preference as to the particular method,
but l do want, and / know the public eX-
poets, a settlement on a humane and just
basis The United States can do no less
than to initiate this effort for humanity
and liberty"
Mr. Culiom spoke for exactly an hour.
He was followed by Mr.. Call, who called
up the joint resolution introduced by him
yesterday, recognizing the independence
of Cuba. He sent to the clerks desk and
had read several official communications
in regard to the case of Oscar Cespedes,
an American citizen. He said that there
was no better argument than this Ces-
pedes case to show how impotent the
Spanish authorities in Cuba were to de-
fend the rights of American citizens. He
could see no reason whatever for failing
to make prompt recognition of an existing
fact-the independence of Cuba-and to
give to the Cubans the same rights as are
given to Spain in the ports and jurisdic-
ton of the United States. Spain would
! have, in this, no legitimate cause of Of
| Tense. 1t would be really to her interest
| that this action should be taken, and that
| the war should be terminated without fur
| Their destruction of life and property, and
without further excitement of the people
| of the United States.
Mr.. Calls joint resolution was, at ethe
| close of his speech, referred to the COM
mittee on foreign relations.
The bill to restrict immigration was TAX
| en- up as the unfinished business-a motion
by Mr.. Gibson. dem, of Maryland to post
! pone its consideration till the first Monday
in January having been defeated by vote
| of 10 to 81.
Various amendments to the text of the
| bill were offered, or suggested; but no ac-
ton was taken on any of them, although
they were discussed a couple of hours; and
| at 1855 o'clock the Senate adjourned till
| Monday.