Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1896-12-17

Hon. Shelby II. CttlloM.
Mr.. Cullom, after brief reference
to the presidents message in regard to
the island of Cuba, said:
We are already placed such position that
some certain course Of action must be adopted.
Whatever that course may be it must be such
as shall give proper recognition to the rights,
under existing conditions, belonging respect
lively to Spain and Cuba. 1t must also recog-
nize the rights and prerogativeS of the world
at large-of the nations and the people who
stand aioof and watch with deepest interest
this struggle for independence and for liberty
against absolutiSm. And not the least Of the
responsibilities imposed upon US nation is
the conservation CT our own rights and inter
estS- In fact, shis latter is the deter
mining factor which must control our
course. While I am not disposed to
criticize President Cleveland, I may
properly say that had hoped he would lind
occasion to give more positive or emphatic
expression of the true American continental
policy, which ought to be invoked in all cases
where the liberty and independence of any OF
the people OF the American continent are in
volved. And. further, think We ought never
to hesitate or delay when the lines OF this pol
icy run parallel and coincident with those OF
common humanity.
Passing in rapid review the promi-
nent facts in Spanish history of the
last four or five centuries, MIR. CullOm
continued:
Il protest that people with such a history
and such an education can have no just claim
to participation in the control of any terri
torial possession on this hemisphere. There
may, be no warrant in international law for
any interference between d government and
it's subjects, provided that government be-
longs to the family of nations. or is recognized
as one Of the powers OF the earth Still, does
not the great heart Of humanity beat in SYM
pathy with the poor souls apparently forgot
ten by the Master and left to bear the burdens
of cruel and relentless oppression? Is there
no way, no light, no hope: Must the brutality
of might alone define the ofense and mete out
the penalty, with no human power to whom in
tercesSion may be made?
'Oh! Oh! Spain, when shall the day be full
filled? Was there no loyal Spaniard VINO
would and could, amid all these centuries, stay
the hand Of death or raise the sword OF JUS
tice while there was time to saver"
Having sketched the career of the
former Spa niSh- American colonies, Mr..
Cuilom went on:
while all the provinces which have re-
belIed and separated from Spain have become
prosperous and fairly well conditioned, indie
pendent countries, the feeble old mother coun-
try has gradually fallen into lower and lower
| estate, depending and almost relying
for existence upon the stolen gold
levied upon Cuba, Puerto Rico
and the Philippine islands. Spain
continues to be what she has always been--a
robber nation. speak now OF the nation and
not of her people. Some of the best and no.
blest names of the ages came to from Spain
where, unhappily, too many Of them met their
sad and melancholy fates. And to-day, well
as in recent times, there are many noble men
and women who owe allegiance to the Spanish
throne, who adhere to her cause, hoping and
striving to improve and make better her pres
ent and future, but who can never outlive or
wipe out the traditions which have established
her reputation and fixed her status among the
kingdoms of the eastern hemisphere.
If we wait for precedent we shall wait for
ever. If precedent is needed we shall make
one. We violated every precedent by the
declaration Of our own independence on July
| 1, 1776. We had no precedent, nor did we even
ask for advice as to the change. in 1859, from a
confederation to a union of states. When we
announced the Monroe doctrine in 1923, it was
| IN defiance of precedent, and the deter
| mination OF rule which has become law,
| and will never be gainSaid. When we an
| nounced, not many months ago, that we should
/ intervene in the matter of the Venezuela
| boundary, and see for ourselves il our rights
| were to be clouded by foreign dictation, we
| followed no precedent, but that Of good Amer
| lean common sense. And common sense has
| won.
| These instances only show that up to this
! time assumption Of authority in regard to
| the American affairs which this government
/ has made has ever been successfully contested.
We have now reached the time to take
[
| proclaimed that the United States will have
| something to say regarding matters affecting
| the American continent, and we should now
/ announce that the speedy termination OF
| Spanish control OF the islands at the
/ gateway of the Mexican gulf e
| essary alike to the welfare Of those
/ islands and to the people OF the
/ United States. The present situation can not
/ continue A population Of $4,000 white Cubans
/ and $4,000 coIoIed Cubans, aggregating I.45O.-
/ will mo- viz nd tInh MAYA
to submit, to the bloody military rule of 10000
! Spaniards- The Spanish element which has
always controlled and dominated Cuba since
/ its discover! numbers only about one-tenth OF
/ its population. Columbus declared: This Is
| the most beautiful land ever beheld by huInaI
eyes," in October. 1892. Now, in 1926. it is
| given over to devastation and destruction
| Within its borders RACES a war which
| on both sides is declared TO be war either
1 of determination on the one hand, OF
| liberty and Spanish exclusion on the other.
| This condition must cease. The Spanish after
| two years war, have failed TO establish peace
! and the insurgents have failed 10 reach theiE
| hoped-for Independence This war Of extermi-
| nation must stop.
| This congress of the United States has al
| ready recognized by solemn resolution the
beIligerent rights Of Cuba. but so long as 1t has
not received the executive approval ii has nc
! force. And 1t had, il Is conceded
| that some other course must be taken.
| fully eleaf, except that the war must
cease. BY what bond does Spain hold Cuba
| not the bond OF relationship and natural aifec-
| zion. not mere national pride in the possession
| and preservation Of territorial or colonial de-
| tendencies. That pride was humiliated and
/ broken years and years ago when she badE
/ farewell to her South American people The
/ only bond which exists. and which by the hc-
zion Of antecedent possession and occupation
IS held sufI4.,ient, is that which enables her x
| eevy Tniliiors upon millions OF tribute upoE
/ che rich sugar fields OF the unfortunate island
The contest Of the Cubans In q contest FOL
freedom against an absent monarchy acros:
1 She sea II is warfare against ruler VINO !;
/ practically an alien, and whose methods are
/ simply those which might shall dictate Il Is
struggle Of the right TO live and breathe tbs
free air OF good government
TO the average Spanish gentleman, Spain i
the object OF alteration, but Spain wfthou
/ Cuba is 20 him the world without the sun. Tn,
revenue from Cuba has been the chief Joy o
Spain for many years. and II Cuba should nov
be separated from the Spanish throne the sui
! vosl5 cease 70 shine upon the AfhambFa-