The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-04-13
STILL They COME.
Congressman BrOderick Also
Makes a Speech
On the Cuban Question-As a
Sympathizer.
WITH CUBAN CAUSE.
He Thinks We Should Go
so Far
As to Actively Interfere If Such
a Course is Necessary.
From our Special Correspondent.


Washington, April 13.-Representa-
tive Broderick might be called one
Of the original Cuba sympathizers. one
of his first public expressions at the
beginning Of the session was that con
gress ought to recognize the cause of
the insurgents. He has said at diff
ferent times that he was in favor of
going 50 far as to interfere in the
cause Of Cuban liberty.
Mr.. Broderick's speech delivered in
the house on the Cuban resolutions has
a claim to attention because it dealt
with questions broader than simple
question of according belligerent rights
to the Cubans. 1t was a strong plea
for the principles of true liberty in all
governments.
Mr.. Broderick said.
"By the law Of nations the discovery
Of new lands, followed by actual pos
session, invests the discoverer with
good title. Spain having discovered
and cOlonized Cuba, she is entitled to
the possession of the island against
all the world, except it be the Cubans.
The claim that the Cubans assert to
the country and the right to an inde-
pendent government rests upon q diff
ferent principle.
can island or province situated re-
motely from the parent government
and held after the province has sufd-
cient population, intelligence, and re
sources to maintain a government and
desires its stablishment is as a rule.
held for revenue only History abund-
antly proves that remote possessions
have usually been by the parent govern
ment negligently or criminally gov
erned.In the very nature of things they
could not be fostered and protected
as are the people of the home govern
ment- The government for Cuba has
been no exception to this rule. She
has been denied equal representation
in the Spanish cOrtes, and there has
been scarcely any limit to the taxes
imposed on the people. Every species
of taxation which the ingenuity Of man
has been able to devise since the be
ginning Of civil government has been
imposed in Cuba These burdens have
been laid on both their imports and ex-
ports, on every sort of occupation, and
in addition to these a per capita tax
has been imposed.
cuba has much more to complain of
against Spain because of unjust and
burdensome taxation than the Ameri-
can colonies had when they so heroic
ally resisted the stamp act and the
parliamentary tax upon tea
THE title of Spain, derived through
discovery and colonization, does not
carry with it the right to oppress.
There is no such natural or acquired
right as this Governments are no
longer maintained for the benefit of
kings and princes, though some. con
fess. are a little slow in learning this
great truth.
.'Spain's relation to Cuba, from
equitable considerations, is somewhat
analogous to that of guardian and
ward Having planted her colonies on
the island it was her duty to promote
their welfare until the colonies had
reached their majority; that is until
they were able and desirous of main
tanning a government for themselves.
Spain can have no title to the inhabi-
tants-to human beings-and the Gu
bans have through taxation, paid the
Spanish government for the island
more than hundredfOld. In equity
she would not be bound to pay for the
lands after the long and continuous
occupancy, but the fact that she has
paid the full value many times over
ought to strengthen the claim for her
people.
CUBA is now past her majority and
asserts her right to freedom. She
! bases her claim upon her long occu-
! pancy. upon the broken promises, mis-
management, and expressions Of the
4 parent government, and upon the fur
/ ther assertion that she is amply able
I to establish and maintain form Of
/ government better suited to the wants
/ and conditions Of her people.
''I take it that any people situated
( as the Cubans are with reference to
/ self-government. even if there were no
1 systematic oppression, would have a
I good claim to independence. and would
! be entitled to fair consideration from
/ other nations. Separated by the ocean,
/ and thousands Of miles from the home
i government, Cuba would almost Of
4 necessity be neglected Add to this
/ neglect the broken promises of 1878
! long continued abuses, and misgovern-
ment, and her cause most forcibly ap-
/ peals to everyone who believes in fair
1 dealing and good government. I take
it that it win not be denied that the
right of revolution to establish the in
/ dependence is inherent in every. people
seas from the parent government as
/ is Cuba.
/ But the serious question and the
one about which there are some diff
4 ferences of opinion is, what are we
\ going to do about it2 Our government
is Republican in form. All our fnsti-
J tutiOns are founded and conducted up
on an idea that the people rule. 1t is
therefore natural that our people
should sympathize with those Of every
land who are contending for better
conditions and for larger liberties.