The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-05-20

BILE and as revolving In the tragedies Of ma
tions? Spain cannot escape the verdict OF
history. II stands up TO confront her. The
living Witnesses Of the past centuries tell
the story of her wrongs and crimes-how
she has crimsoned the earth with the
blood OF the innocent, until II seemed 10
now from perpetual fountain, as the
wailing cries of her myriad victims from
fiendish tortures stirred TO pity the very
hosts Of heaven. The evidences are over
whelming that in this enlightened age.
and under the very shadow OF the republic
OF this hemisphere, where every citizen Is
freeman. Spain has not improved her
methods of government. has not rela Ned
her severity or abated her tyrannies and
cruelties in the long oppressed island OF
Cuba. Evidence that cannot be denied
comes to us that n degraded and beasily
Spanish soldiery deliberately put TO death
fathers, husbands, and brothers, SO that
unchecked they can outrage mothers.
wives and sisters.
In their last brave efforts for liberty.
their ten years of civil war. the Cubans
promises made by Spain for better govern-
ment. and upon the suggestion and advice
OF this great nation. These promises
were never kept. but have been grossly
and constantly violated. This republic g
therefore. in some degree responsible to
Cuba for the perpetuatiOn Of the wrong
so grievously imposed upon her. The time
has come when this republic should not
alone of interest, but of duty, of human.
ity, righteous cause. struggling against
the despotism Of the strong, appeals to us
to rescue Cuba from her cruel oppres.
sors This nation Is today responsible to
God and humanity for the fearful scourge
OF war that is desolating the fertile island.
and for barbarities that shock the civil
lized world. If nations. like individuals,
should be called before the bar OF Coz
to answer for their conduct. and II the
sixteen South American republics and Gu
ba, the child Of the sea, should be sum-
moned as witnesses to tell of the 400 years
have endured, by sword and torture. at
the hands of Spain, the voice Of almighty
God would shake the universe In con =
demnation of her deeds. Do We owe Spain
any debt of gratitude? When our ma
tional life was inperiled and while the
echoes of Sumpter's guns were still ringing
In our ears. and before single battle
had been fought to manifest her hos
tility to this republic she leaped to the
front and promptly recognized the Con-
federates as bellgerents. Have not the
Cubans met the Spanish hosts In countless
battles, and do they not today hold pos
session of three-fourth of their native
land? Have they not manifested q skill,
a courage. unity of heart. and deter,
mined purpose, with the sacrifice OF homo
and loved ones, almost without parallel
in human history, to free themselves from
Spanish chains. and to give to their pos.
terity the priceless boon Of civl liberty
Did freedom ever have truer disciples or
more faithful friends, and did the Chris
tian martyrs, Of the earlier of later ages,
manifest sublimer faith and courage than
these brave and heroic islanders? When
before in the worlds history has a small.
undisciplned army, with no resources
save what the rich earth yields on their
march, met well-organized and powerful
army. supplied with all the implements or
modern warfare, and driven it behind Its
shelters of protection? II this nation does
not act, and act at once. 1t treads a ste?
backward, and retreats from a duty as
imperative and sacred as could be i'm
posed upon its honor, its conscience, and
its manhood.
Let this nation, great and strong, lift the
clouds and prepare the way with her
blessing and benediction. Let 1t give no.
tice to all the world that on the Fourth of
July next-the one hundred and twentieth
anniversary Of our independence-it will
proclaim In old Independence Hall. the sa-
cred sanctuary and birth place Of freedom,
that Cuba shall take her place among the
nations and be welcomed into the sister,
hood Of republics.