The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-02-24
Spain Arming the Blacks.

The foregoing is the caption of a col
umn editorial in the New York Sun of
Feb 20 on the situation in Cuba, show
ing the desperate straits to which the
Spanish authorities are reduced, the ter
rible alternative of arming the blacks
for a war of determination upon the in
surrectionists. The Sun reviews the sit
uation in great concern and deals in sor-
rowful language at the painful outlook
for the Queen of the Antilles"
From that editorial comes this QUOTA
ton, which seems queer from such a
source: "Never before in her sanguinary
history, did Spain reach such a depth
of humiliation" Illuminating over the past,
it seems strange that such a sentence
should appear in the editorial columns OF
Mr. Charles A. Danas paper.
Mr. Dana was Assistant Secretary of
War during part, the latter part, of that
portion of this country history covered
by the Late Unpleasantness." What
seems strange in the course of Spain,
was but logical conclusion in the pro-
cesses of this government during the late
civil war The United States government
pursued the same policy, adopted and
carried out the same method.
1t enlisted and armed the blacks for
the conquest of the south, and MIR. Dana,
as Assistant Secretary of War, was
himself no mean factor in executing this
terrible process in INJECTING upon this
In the war between the states" the
United States government enlisted 265,-
$50 negro troops, but then 1t was not a
crime or humiliation" that act was
just and righteous; the south was in re
bellion," and any expedient no matter
to what depth of humiliation" the gov
eminent might descend, was legitimate.
How circumstances alter cases." Yet
these two revolutions are analogous. The
So1Ath believed her continuance in he
union injurious to her interest, and fully
withdraw when such interests were I'M
perilled and especially as the pronounced
as would destroy her domestic affairs, Sc
coded. Coersion followed, and every ex-
pedient utilized, even to the arming OF
the slaves to the number above mention
ed Any protest from other governments
was denounced as meddling with the right
of the United States to deal with the
recreant states as it might determine.
Cuba, after years of harsh oppression,
is attempting to throw off the Spanish
yoke The insuTTectiOniStS have main
tanned and enlarged the revolt. Spain has
exhausted her home ability to suppress the
rebellion, and now Gen. Weyler has sliced
upon the arming of the blacks as a last
resort.
The situation is closely analogous to the
affairs in this country in the early sixties,
yet Mr.. Dana condemns Gen. Weyler for
inaugurating the same policy he inspired
or helped to execute But then, you
know, 1T depends upon whose COX is being
gored."
The writer was a guest of the nation"
at it's hospitable winter resort at Elmira,
N. Y. during the late unpleasantness."
Amongst those enjoying the Inequalities
of the United States government in the
winter of 1S64-1S65 at this popular resort,
were to black men, one a freeman, the
other a slave; the former captured as
fireman on a confederate gunboat in the
North Carolina waters. the other cap
tured as a servant of and together with
his master, a soldier in Lees army.
These were offered release from the
United States military prison If they
would subscribe to the oath of allegiance
to the United States government. Both
agreed to so do, and were ready to COM
ply, when the alternative was offered of
enlisting in the army or navy of the
United States. This condition was not
proffered until the two negroes had as
scented to take the oath OF allegiance. The
free negro was a man of family, and when
he agreed 10 take the oatn, it was with
the intention of going back to his home.
He saw very little advantage to him in
entering the military or naval service of
the United States. In response to the al
tentative by which he would be released,
the free negro said; II am free man. /
have never been slave. have no inter-
est in this war. am willing to take the
oath of allegiance to the United States
and Loyalty abide by It, but / want to re-
turn to my family in North Carolina 1
had been a fireman on the steamer when
she was a merchant ship, and before her