Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-02-10


! I'M F~" seemed like bit o
| .5gSlls fairyland to the tiret
| &%Mssh nembers of the Ma
- saAsss=zssssss-. tional Editorial As
ISOLATION as their long train fnall,
came to a stop, about the middle of ,
sunny forenoon, Sunday, Jan. 18th. uDor
the grounds, and almost at the doors %
the famous Tampa Bay hotel TIL,
thermometer stood at about TO- The all
was soft and balmy, but fresh bree7,
from the gulf robbed it of any possibl,
dlscomforts. OF all tbs hotels connected
with the Plant system, the Tampa Bay i.
easily the first. In its appointments it i.
sad TO be surpassed by few houses in thu
world. The service it gives it's guest.
could scarcely be improved. No detail
however minute that could possibly con
tribute to their comfort and pleasure, has
apparently, been overlooked
The magnificent grounds about thi:
house are Of surprising beauty. There is
a luxuriance of tropical plant life that is
almost bewildering. The hard smooth
walks are fringed with an almost endless
variety of shrubs, and Towering plants,
that present a marvellous wealth OF
bloom. The very atmosphere is fragrant
with the odorS of sweet scented blossoms
Palmetto and palm trees everywhere lend
their characteristic charms to the beauty
OF the landscape. In the rear of the house
Is beautiful orange grove, yellow with
golden fruit. Piled upon a large table in
the big rotunda was a beautiful lot of the
finest Florida oranges presented by IA
gentleman living but a few miles from
the hotel, to show us that the frosts of
last winter did not wholly PROSTATE this
industry.
Tampa is largely Cuban city, al
though large part of its business, aside
from the manufacture of cigars, is carried
on by northern men who have settled
there since the place began to attract
attention as a winter resort.
We had not been long at the hotel be-
fore we were coniidentially informed that
two cock fights We're to occur that day in
the Cuban section of the city TO which
the members of the n. +. A. We're cor
daily invited. Even secular editors. how
ever, are not lacking in respect for the
Sabbath, and, so far as we were able to
ascertain, not one of our party was
present at either of these affnirs. Soon
after lunch we took our cars again for a
run down to Port Tampa to see the
steamer Olivctte. of Bar Harbor fame
come in from Havana. The pier was
crowded with Cubans, eager to get the
latest news of the war. During our stay
in Washington we had been enabled
through the kindness Of Congressman
Miiliken to meet and have pleasant
chat with the leading representative Of
the insurgents at our national capital, II
most polished and courteous gentleman
We could not help being impressed with
his evident enthusiasm and devotion to
the cause of Cuban liberty-a devotion
which we subsequently discovered is
shared by the humblest Cuban cigar
makers on the Florida coast. A little
Cuban button flag is worn quite generally
in this state by sympathi1ers with the
insurgcnt cause. A S we stood on the pier
at Port Tampa awaiting the arrival of the
Oliyette, we were impressed oy the large
number of these buttons on the coat
lapels of the men. and their obvious
esrnestness Through the kindness OF a
Florida gentleman we We're introduced to
one of the leaders of the Cuban element
in Tampa. He was rather inclined to be
reserved at first; but thawed out immedl-
ately upon our mentioning the fact Of
meeting the Cuban representative at
Washington. He was a gentleman OF
marked characteristics had the courteous
manners characteristic of his people, and
spoke English fluently. He walked with
Us to the opposite side of the pier, and,
casting a cautious glance over his
shoulder said, You must pardon my
precaution; hut there are a number Of
Spanish spies on the pier, and we are
obliged to exercise considerable care in
talking with people. We have been glad
to get the many personal assurances Of
sympathy that have come to us from the
members of your party, although it has
already found able and cordial expression
in the American press. We know that
the great heart of the American people
beats warmly for US, and it is impossible
to underestimate the moral strength Of
such a support. We are fighting the
same battle your fathers fought in the
DAYS of the Revolution. 1t is the struggle
of brave and proud people for civil
liberty. The tyranny suffered by the
thirteen original colonies at the hands OF
Great Britain, was no worse, indeed, l don t
think it could compare in selfish brutality
with the tyranny the Cuban people have
suffered at bDe lduuS VI i0pulh W AOSiio
freedom to work out our own destiny
along natural lines of growth and de-
velopment. An alliance with Spain is in
the very nature of things an unnatural
one. We have one of the most fertile and
productive countries upon the face of the
earth Our people are proud, industrious,
and ambitious. 1t Is nevertheless fact
that not single office of any Importance
in Cuba is held by a native. Our people
are practically debarred from any partici-
nation in the civil service of their own
country. Our officials are all foisted
upon us by the Spanish government. We
are simply permitted to carry an enor-
mons burden of taxation for their main
tenance. and for tho enrichment of the
SPANISH treasury. 1t is positively taxa
tion without representation, condition
of affairs repulsive to all liberty loving
people 1t is a government In which the
Governed have absolutely no voice. "
In what practical way would the
Granting of beliigerent rights to the
Cubap insurgents by the United States
he of help to them?'
aIn many ways. In fact, We are conf
dent that such recognition by this country
is all that is necessary to insure Cuban
Independence. AT the present time we
have no navy, and, so long as we are
denied belligerent rights, no way OF obtain