The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-04-01

Jews and the Moors, that instituted and
built up the terrible inquisitions. that
established the tribunals of blood in the
Netherlands, that annihilated the Indians
and exterminated the first settlers in
Cuba, that assassinated thousands of her
subjects in the wars of South American
independence, and that filed the cup Of
iniquity in the last war in Cuba 1t is
natural that people should proceed thus,
who, by dint of superstitious and fanati-
cal education and through the vicissitudes
of its social and political life have fallen
into a sort of physiological deterioration
which has caused it to fall back whole
centuries on the ladder of civilization.
1T is not strange that such a people
should proclaim murder as system and
as means of putting down war caused
by its desire for money and power. To
kill the suspect, to kill the criminal. to
kill the defenseless prisoner. to kill the
helpless wounded, to kill all who are not
able to impede its desolating action. all
this is comprehensive as the way that the
Spaniards have always understood and
carried on warfare.
"But not TO pause at the holy and ven
Grated hearth, personiication of all most
peaceful and most noble, nor at women,
emblem of weakness; nor at children,
overwhelming symbol of inoffensive limo
cence; to bring upon these destruction,
ruin and murder, constant and cruel; oh,
sir, how horrible this is. The pen falls
from my hand when think of it, and
doubt at times human nature. in contem-
plation, with my eyes dim with tears, SO
many hearths outraged, so many women
sacrificed, so many children cruelty and
uselessly destroyed by the Spanish col
umns ..... .. =.
"The Spanish, unable to exercise acts
of sovereignty over the interior OF Cuba,
have ordered the peasants to concentrate
in villages, where it is hoped misery will
force them to serve in the armies OF a
government which they abhor. Not only
are these unhappy ones forced to aban-
live, not only are they forced to die OF
starvation, but they are branded as de-
cided supporters of our arms, and against
them, their wives and children is directed
fearful and cruel persecution.
"Ought such facts to be tolerated by
civilized people? Can human powers,
forgetting the fundamental principles OF
Christian community permit these things
to 20 on? Is it possible that civilized
people will consent to the sacrifice OF I'M
armed and defenseless men? Can the
American people view with culpable IN
difference the slow but complete extermi-
nation of thousands of innocent Amerl-
cans? No; you have declared that they
can not; that such acts OF barparity ougn na
not to be permitted or tolerated. we see
the brilliant initiative you have taken IN
protesting strongly against the killing OF
Europeans and Christians in Armenia and
China. denouncng them with evidence or
heartfelt energy. Knowing this, frank
ly today and legally appeal to you and
declare that | can not prevent the acts OF
vandalism that / deplore. ..l5
SIT does not suffice that l protect the
families of Cubans who join us, and my
troops, following the example of ciylliza-
ton, respect and put at immediate liberty
prisoners of war, succor and provlde lor
the enemy's wounded. 1t still appears
that Spaniards are amenable to no form
of protest that is not backed up by 1oree.
"Oh, the vicissitudes of this cruel strife
have caused pain to the hearts of long
suffering people, but nothing is worse
than the evils | recite except it is to see
that YOU remain Indifferent to them. Say
to the Spaniards that they may struggle
with us and treat us as they please, but
that they must respect the pacific popula-
ton, that they must not outrage women
nor murder innocent children. You nave
high and beautiful precedent for such
action. Read the world-famous procla-
nation of the Spanish general, Maceda,
of 1869, proclaiming practically the re-
production of this war, and remember the
honorable and high-minded protest that
the secretary Of state forwarded
against it.
1.-The American people march legiti-
mately at the head of the western CONT
nent, and they should no longer condone
the cruel and murderous system OF the
Spanards unless history impute to them
a participation in these atrocities.
"Imitate the high example l have lndl-
Gated above. Your conduct furthermore
would be based solely on the Monroe doc
trine, for this can not refer only, to
usurpation of American territories and not
| to the defense of the people of America
against European ambitions. 1t can not
| mean to protect the Americas and leave
| the hapess dwellers to the cruelties and
despotic treatment of a European power
| "Crown your honorable history, OF
craftsmanship with noble act OF CHRIS
| tian charity. Say to Spain that murder
| must stop, that cruelty must cease. ana
| nut the stamp of your authority on VIVA,
Won saw. Thousands of hearts will cal
down eternal benedictions on your mem
ory. and God, the Supremacy Merclful
| will see in it the most meritorious worR
of your entire life. t.
| 81 am your humble servant.
! IN. GOMEZ
| CEN RIVERA a PRISONER.