The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-02-26


against the resolution were: First, that
the granting -of the recognition con-
templated would result in no practical
| effect SO far as Cuba is concerned; sec
| Ond, that it would give TO Spain the
| right Of search at sea, and release her
from any obligation on account of in
juries 10 the property or person of
American citizens residing in Cuba,
and third, that il would undoubtedly
lead to war between the United States
and Spain. With the exception of the
right to search at sea, in the absence of
open and active hOstilitieS. all of these
objections have the full merit of their
intended force. But granting this
much, they still come far short Of sug
costing any serious obstructive argu-
ment or consideration against the i'm
mediate adoption of the pending resO-
luton.
Senators Morgan and Lodge more
than answered these objections. They
clearly showed that the United States
had a duty devolEed upon it, arising
out Of the conditions now existing in
Cuba, which il could not eyade or ig-
more. Senator Morgan treated the war
cry>Of timid senators with the contempt
which it deserved and planted himself
upon the high and impregnable posi-
ton that, according TO the rules Of civil
lied warfare. Spain is obliged, and if
necessary, should be compelled TO re-
cogniZe the Cubans who are in arms
against her by regular enlistment as
soldiers. and treat them as soldiers en-
gagged in a public war for their indie
pendence. Senator Morgan said in this
connection:
II Spain should concede such recOgni-
ton of the belligerent rights Of these
people struggling for their independ-
ence, there would be no occasion for
the government of the United States,
or for any other government, to inter-
fere for the purpose of securing TO the
soldiers of the insurgent armies the
advantages of civilized warfare. Spain
has not done this; Spain does not in
tend to do ii. When we have given
that recognition, we intend to be bound
by our own laws and the law of ma
tions, TO maintain perfect neutrality be-
tween these two beligerents.
As to the right of congress 10 act in
such case, by concurrent resolution.
and Independent of the approval of the
president, the senator took the ground
that ODUPaSS hoe NOT npl1y tho ..;D 10
pendent, absolute right to make this
declaration of the recognition of bel
ligerency," but also to declare the ''re-
cognition of the independence Of Cuba,
and, if necessary, to enforce it by mill
tary movements by land or sea" This
is undoubtedly the correct construction
of the constitution on the subject. 1t
is true that in majority of cases con-
greSs has permitted the president TO
take the initiative in all such matters
not directly involving a declaration of
war. The senator further distinctly
acknowledged that the passage of the
pending resolution would result in a
rupture Of our peaceful relations with
Spain, but he asserted that lin a GER
tain event it was our duty to draw the
sword, lay it on the table and say to
Spain: IF you want TO take it up,
take it up" He then made the follow
ing imprisoned and eloquent declara-
ton:
Spain knows just as we'll as the rest
which she has bound Cuba since the
island was discovered by Columbus
have corroded until they are rust;ng
off the limbs of that people. These
shackles have become disreputable,
even in the contemplation of Spain
herself. But her pride causes her 10
hold Cuba by the throat and throttle
her. She cannot consent 10 lift her
bloody hands from the neck of her vic
tim, or TO accord to her the rights Of
war sanctioned in the name of cOnsti-
tutional liberty. She cannot afford to
do it. She is not going to do it. And
yet she cannot hold Cuba. If this
revolution does not free the island from
the grip of Spain, the next one will; or
the next one after that. And Cuba will
come forward, amid the paeans of the
nations, free, sovereign and independ-
ent.
Senator Lodge discussed the subject
from the standpoint of humanity, and
made stirring and thrilling appeal for
Cuba. He showed that Cuba is IAN
at our DOORS" and then in
quired with telling force: is our civ
iliZatiOn 10 break down as the civiliZa-
tion of western Europe has broken
down before Armenian - There can be
no question as TO the consensus of opin-
ion in this country concerning Cuba.
our sympathies only confirm our obi
cations 10 these dauntleSs patriots.
who, having caught the cOntagion of
our glorious example, are bravely bat /
Ting for freedom
Let Us not forget that Spain recog- /
nized the southern Confederacy within
three months after the first shot was +
fired upon Fort Sumter. as the signal
for the destruction Of our Union. There
should be no retaliation. much less
should there be pusillanimity. Let us .
simply do our duty regardless Of conse- /
quenceS.
FOLLY OF GENIUS.