Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-03-25
BLOODY SHIRT" BOUTELLE.
Continued from First PAGE. }


CO, on the ground that the planting of a
monarchy at the doors of the United
States imperiled the existence of free
government within the American juris-
diction. Cuba was not only the key Of
the gulf of Mexico, but was the fortress
of America The fathers of the republic
had said for a hundred years to Cuba,
to England, to France. to all the earth
'fYou shall not touch one solitary acre of
this land with your sovereignty
1--WE have said" Mr.. Mills continued
'sthat we will resist with all the power
of this government the transfer of the
island of Cuba to any European power.
Jefferson said it. Gallatin said 1T. John
Quincy Adams said it. Henry Clay said
It, Martin Van Buren, said 1t. James
Buchanan said it. William E. Marcy said
it, 1t has been the unchallenged Amerl-
can doctrine that the island of Cuba shall
remain with Spain unless 1t comes to- us;
that Spain shall hold it in trust; that we
shall resist it's transfer by the whole
power of the army and navy; and there
we have held it for hundred years.
And now / come to the point If We have
held that position by an assertion of
moral right to protect ourselves, to Sc
cure our own homes, to secure our own
commerce and trade on the ocean; II we
have said that Cuba shall not go out or
the hands of Spain, Notwithstanding that
England might say to Cuba, L Will give
you the government lDdt give " CANA
da I will give you a parliament, an ex-
ecutive of your own selection; Will give
YOU the power to levy your own taxation
If you please; l will give you nome gov
eminent; I will not interfere except TO
protect you in case any other power an
feres with YOU yet the United states
has stood by as a. jailer and has salo
that trade shall not be made.
"Wherever there are rights" Mr.. Mills
continued, there are corresponding du-
ties And l say that the people OF the
United States owe to the oppressed ana
down-trodden people of Cuba to say TO
Spain the hour has come when you must
stop your iniquities. We are responsible
for the slavery of that people. We are
responsible for every drop OF blood you
have she'd we are responsible for every
dollar you have stolen our conscience
is involved in this matter Cuba has a
right to appeal to us and we intend that
YOU shall give her free government"
Mr.. Mills read letter describing afro
cities said to have been perpetrated by
General Weyler in the last Cuban war,
and he characterized him as IAN afro
cious scoundrel" who would not De IN
Cuba today if the United States had
drawn her sword, as it was her duty to
de- and established a government that
would protect helpless females in their
homes.
But this great republic he exclaimed,
"whose light illuminates the world, holds
the KEYS of Spain dangling at her belt,
stands at the dungeon door of Spain and
compels helpless women to be put In the
power of such an atrocious villain as
that 1t is the duty-of the American
people to make such an occurrence i'm
possible in any country over which 1t has
even an equitable right"
Mr. Mills compared the protection
which Spain gives to Cuba to that which
the hawk gives to the dove; and said
that all these atrocities were committed
while the United States was acting as
taller and guardian. They were told that
the Cuban government had no habitaton
or name: but the Cuban people had
voices to cry to the people of the United
States "Acuuit us; deliver us from this
monster. or see that Spain gives us pro-
lection"
'sWhy was it?'' said Mr. Mills, that
OF late years. when an attempt was made
to maintain the honor and dignity of
the United States, some tremendous
power began to manifest itself in an OPP
posite direction.
Mr.-Stewart suggested an explanation
In the fact that Spain owed 81 200 900. 009
of bonded debt $500, 900 900 of which was
a lien on the Cuban revenues.
Mr.. Mills recognized that there was
something in that explanation
Securities might fall There might be
s5,OoOOOo or $4,000. 900 lost in the United
States by the action of the senate and
house of represent tives in asserting the
rights, dignity and honor of the Ameri-
can people He would spend s1o0 900
In taking the captives from the Isle of
Pines and liberating them, because it
was the United States duty to do so.
The damned spot of bloody guilt was
on the hands of the United States and
would not out An ire uefars rf fhe
ocean would not wash 1t away. 1t was
the duty of the United States, Mr. Mills
declared. to protect the people of