Kansas City daily journal., 1896-11-28
FOR CUBA LIBRE.
BOurI<e Cochran Makes n Ringing
Speech in Favor of Ameri-
can InterNenfinn.

New York. Nov. 27.-Hon. Bourke Cock
ran was the chief speaker at a Cuban
service held tonight in commemoration of
the execution OF eight students in Havana
in 1871. He urged Intervention by this gov
ernment in the interest of civilization and
humanity and said the annexation of Cuba
would put this country on a footing with
barbarOus Spain. When, however, the Gu
ban should breath the air of freedom and
desired to become a part of this republic
then they could be treated as equals and
not the subjects of conquest.
Further, he said that. if necessary, the
Cubans should be allowed to purchase
their freedom from Spain. and that, in the
interest Of peace, the United States should
guarantee the payment of the bonds.
However it is time, he declared, that the
executive should make known his views
upon the Cuban question and if the word
was spoken, freedom would be secured
without the firing of a single shot. But if
armed Interference should become neces-
sary in the cause of humanity, he favored
a final resort to arms. He adds:
This is not a matter which concerns the
Cuban people alone. 1t is murder. There
is a moral law as binding upon Americans
as individuals. The punishment Of Elur-
der was decreed in heaven before on earth.
The government that peypetuates murder
will bring down upon itself the wrath of
heaven. and will be destroyed by the blaze
of public opinion. Here We would not per-
NIT dog to be killed, excepting IN. r hu-
name way, and if We protect dogs. why
not stop the massacres of Christians?
NO nation can remain Indifferent at
atrocities committed within view of its
harbors 1t is an into,erable government
that would permit such a state OF affairs
aaVaf
of Spain in Cuba. Ii is a duty to civiliza-
ton. humanity and ourselves whether
sooner or later this government viii eX-
tend sympathetic hand to the Cuban in
his trouble. 1t is now a question OF the
emancipation or his determination. Our at
titude must be defined so the patriot and
the Spaniard can know with whom he
must reckon. If the Cuban patriot is to
be exterminated. in heavens name let US
know that the aid he Is expecting will
not be forthcoming, that the butchery is
to be continued. instead of keeping him in
suspense by our silence"
At tl1i5 Cuban. who had been overcome
by passion, shouted Curse Cleveland
The speaker, having caught the exclama-
tion, lost no time to reply: 'TMy friend" he
| said, no man will bring a curse upon this
| country by failure to do his duty
Resuming his speech, Mr.. Cochran de-
| clared: 1T Is time this government should
/ speak out and have the courage of its con-
/ victions. I hope it does. and it will not be
| to annex Cuba, but TO liberate it,"
| Il believe that II the president insisted
/ Cuba must be free, it would be free. If a
/ fleet of vessels in charge of one of our
admirals steamed into the harbor of Ha-
vana and invited the entire Spanish outfit
! the entire party OF eXecutioners. TO take a
| trip TO CadiZ or Barcelona. they would
| willingly accept the invitation
/ In conclusion, Mr.. Cochran said: This
| government must speak upon the Cuban
I question. Never before has so much power
! been vested in the executive. Will ouI
! president pronounce the word of doom oil
! liberation? II he declares Cuba libre that
flag (pointing to the stars and stripeS) will
be the symbol of liberty and progress tG
| mankind