The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-12-08
I TO THE LAWMAKERS
Continued from First Page,

iIest by the course of cur government,
not only thus far during the present in
surrectlon. but during the ten years
that followed the rising at Yara, 1868.
No other great power, 1t may safely be
Salu. under circumstances OF similar pcr-
pleNlty. would have manifested the sa me
restraint and the same patient endur-
ance 1t may also be said that this per-
sstent attitude of the United States
towards Spain In connection with Cuba
uhquestionably eVinces no slight respect
ana regard for Spain on the part OF the
American people. They in truth do not
forget her connection with the discovery
OF the Westrn Hemisphere, nor do they
underestimate the great qualities of the
spanish people, nor fail to fully recog-
ni%e their splendid patriotism and their
chiHalrous devotion to the national hon
or. They view with wonder and admira-
ton the cheerful resolution with which
vast bodies of men are sent across thou
sands of miles of ocean and an enormous
dept accumulated that the costly posses
SION OF the gem OF the Antilles may still
hoid its place in the Spanish crown. And
yet neither the government nor the peo-
pie OF the United States have shut their
eyes 10 the course of events In Cuba. or
nave failed to realize the existence of
conceded grievances, which have led to
the present revolt from the authority
OF Spain-grlevances recognized by the
queen Regent and by the Cortes. voiced
by the most patriotic and enlightened
OF Spanish statesmen without regard TO
party, and demonstrated by reforms pro-
posed by the executive and approved by
the legislative branch OF the Spanish
Government. II is in the assumed tenn
per and disposition of the Spanish gov
ernment TO remedy these grievances.
fortified by indications of influential
public opinion in Spain, that this gov
e2lment has hoped TO discover the most
81 n on n .rr., tt,,D
posing the present strife with honor ana
advantage to Spain and with the
achievement OF all the reasonable objects
Of the Instruction
PROPOSES HOME RULE.
1t would seem that IL Spain should
offer to Cuba genuine autonomy-a
measure of home rule which. while pre-
serving the sovereignty of Spain, would
satisfy all rational requirements OF her
spanish subjects-there should be no
just reason why the pacification of the
island might not be effected on that ba-
sis. Such result would appear to be
In the true Interest OF all concerned. 1t
would at once stop the conflict which
is now consuming the resources Of the
island and making 1t worthless for
whichever party may ultimately prevail.
1t would keep intact the posse sions OF
Spain without touching her honor which
will be consulted rather than impugned
by the adequate redress of admitted
grievances. II would put the prosperity
Of the island and the fortunes of Its in
habitants within their own control. with
out severinS the natural and ancien, ties
which bind them to the mother cOun-
try, and would yet enable them to test
their capacity for self government under
the most favorable conditions 1t has
been objected on the one side that Spain
should not promise autonomy until her
lnsurgent subjects lay down their arms; ;
on the other side that promised autono-
my. however liberal. Is insufficient, be-
cause without assurance of the promise
being fulfilled.
ment by Spain. or unconditional
surrender on the part of the
insurgent Cubans before the au-
thority Is conceded, Is not altoEcth-
er apparent. II ignores important
features of the situation-the stability
two years duration has given To the in
surcciion. the feasibility of It's indcf-
mite prolonEation in the nature OF things
and as shown by past experience. the
utter and imminent ruin Of the island.
unless the present strife is speedily com
posed. Above all, the rank abuses which
all parties in Spain. all branches Cf her
government. and all her leading public
men conccdc 10 exist and profess a de-
sire to remove
Facing such circumstances to with
hold the proffcr of needed reforms until
the parties demanding them put them
selves NJ mercy by throwing down their
arms. has the appearance of ncglectinE
the gravest of perils and inviting sus-
ricion as TO the sincerity of any profess
ell Willingness To great reforms. The OBJ
lection on behalf of the insurgents-that
promised reforms cannot be relied upon
must of course lie considered, though
We have no right to assume, and no reas-
ON FOR assuming, that anything Spain
to do for the relief of Cuba
vii! not be done according TO both the
spirit and letter of the undertaking.
AMERICA AS SPANS SURETY.
Nevertheless. realizing that suspicious
ana precautions on the part of the weak
natural and not always unjustiiip de
being sincerely desirious I'm tho interest
of both as well as on its own account
That the Cuban problem Should be solved
with the least possible dtlay-jt WINS in
tmated by this government to the gov
eminent of Spain some months ago that
If satisfactory mcaurc of home rule
were rendered the Cuban insurgents
and would be accepted by them upon ~
guaranty OF It's execution. the United
states would endeavor To find a way moi
TO Spain of furnishing
such guaranty. While no definite r.,
spouse TO this intimation has yet been
received from the Spanish government.
II is believed to be not altogether un-
welcome, while. as already suggested.
no reason Is perceived why ii should moi
be approved by the Insurgents. Neither
party can fail to see the importance OF
early action and both must realize thar
10 proiohg the present state of things