Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-23
DECLARE roR cunAs FREEDOM.
Lincoln citizens Anxious 10 Sec
SnnIn,s Eorces MltndrnMn.


LINCOLN, Dec 22.-(Speeial Telegram)-
The mass meeting in favor of Cuba libre
held at the court house this evening drew
an audience of over 800 and was called to
order by II. w. Hardy Resolutions were
presented by the chairman of the commit
tee, l.. w Billingsley, strongly favorable to
a recognition Of the beligerent rights of the
Cubans. denunciatory OF the treachery and
butchery of the Spanish, commendatory Of
the courage and patriotism OF the Cubans,
calling attention to the fact that they now
held possession of threc-fourths of the is
land and memoraliZing the Nebraska dele
cation in congress TO speedily recognize bel
ligerent rights and TO see that those rights
are respected.
substitute was offered to the fourth res
olution regarding the alleged assassination
of Maceo, by Judge j. III. Broadly, who did
not believe there was Information enough on
that matter to warrant such conclusion.
Spceches were made by Joseph Tcetors, w.
II. Woodward c, II. Gould G. w. Berse.
]. II. Broadly, A. c. Wolfenbarger, DR.. Alley,
Judge c. w. Parker and l.. w. Billngsley.
With the exception of the speech by Mr..
Teeters, all the orators were enthusiastic
in behalf of the resolutions. Mr. Ieeters
was opposed to them. The resolutions were
adopted by an almost unanimous vote.
Chairman Hardy was authorized to name
a committee to draft constitution and by
laws of a Lincoln Cuban club, to report at
a subsequent meeting.
In response to an invitation to be pres
ent and address the meeting, Governor Hol-
comb sent the following letter:
LINCOLN, Dec. 22.-Hon. II. w. Hardy
Lincoln; NV Dear Sir-I desire to thank
you and other gentlemen who so kindly IN
vited me to participate in the meeting at
the court house this evening to express
sympathy for the struggling Cubans. l
regret that duties incident TO the con-
vening of the state legislature next month
so fully occupy my time that II VIII be
impossible for me to be precent. | beg you
to convey my sincere regrets to the friends
of cuba libre" who will assemble this
evening.
More than a year ago. in responding to n
request from an eastern newspaper for an
expression of opinion OF the Cuban ques-
ton | said: "The similarity of the struggle
of the Cubans for independence with that
of the American coloniSts a little more
than IA century ago, their hardships and OPP
preston the propinQlity of the island
and the close commercial relations exist
ing between cuba and the United States
are all elements which naturally elicit the
sympathy of the American people for the
Insurgents. / believe the recognition of
the Cubans as belligerents has been al
ready deserved by their. ability to carry
on the war for so long a. time unassisted
and should be early given by the United
States government. Cuba possesses all our
sympathy, yet 1t should not be forgotten
that as a nation among. nations, the
United States must not allow the SYM
pathes of the people TO place the govern
ment in the attitude of violating existing
treaty relations with Spain. This recog-
milton of the struggling Cubans would
merely place them Oh an equal footing
with their powerful adversary and If
they can achieve their independence, they
should certainly be % Die TO maintain II
free government. The charge has been
seriously made that these Cubans are
blacks but l apprehend that the spirit
of liberty can find rs secure a resting
place in the breast of the black man as the
white. l hope the time Is not far distant
when the Cubans VIII secure for them
selves the right to govern themselves as
free men"
Since that time tie atrocities of the
Spaniards in their irfare, against these
hapless neighbors fPpd born Americans
have aroused the in isnation of our peo-
pie in every section of the nation. The
heroic determined e. rus of the patriotic
Cubans. their self-sss flee and deeds of
valor, have dispelled al doubts to their
capacity for government. AS the
strongest nation on the western continent
and the first great government of the peo-
Pile. the United States should be the Jealous
guardian of the flower of liberty on
American soil.
/ hope that our representatives at Wash
ington, both legislative and executive, may,
in the discharge of their duties repre-
sentatives of free and liberty-loving
people, see their way clear to grant to the
people of Cuba substantial aid and SYM
pathy in this their hour of need. Yours
very truly, SILAS A. HOLCOMB.