The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-02-11
THE PLAIN DUTY OF THE GOV
EMINENT TO AN AMERI-
rAN rIT'IIE'N

hands and the authorities refused 10 give
him n trial by the civil courts according
to the terms OF the treaty between the
United States and Spain and in accord.
ance with which treaty the government
of the United States is aiding Spain TO
subdue the instruction in Cuba by pre-
venting the purchase and transportation
of arms and munitions of war by the
rebels from this country, and If Sanguilly
was tried by court martial and con-
demned in violation Of the treaty, then
the only course for the authorities Of the
United States to take is to peremptorily
demand the release of Sanguilly and dam
ages for false imprisonment to be paid
to him Immediately upon that release
by Spain.
If Spain refuses to Immediately com
ply with this demand, then it is the duty
of the United States authorities to send
TO Cuba a sufficient naval squadron TO
lombard Havana until Sanguilly is re-
leased and compensated in damages.
This has nothing in the world to do with
the recognition of the rebel government,
if there be one in Cuba 1t is the duty
| that the United States owes to every
American citizen. Further than this, if
the United States is forced to employ
every ablc-bodicd citizen in it and eXpend
every dollar in the United States and
every dollars worth of property in il in
organizing and maintaining a sufficient
| army and in sustaining navy that by
joint attack on Spain is sufficiently pow
crful to force Spain TO comply with this
| request, it is the duty of the authorities
| to do it and if they do not do it the glory
of American citizenship has departed and
the proud boast of being citizen Of a
republic that every drop of blood and
every dollar Of treasure in it shall BIZ cX
pended in defending the rights of one cit
izcn, is an empty boast and nothing, more.
II am Roman" was as magical in the
protection of the Roman citizen as an
army with banners. II has been our
boast that as American citizens no ma
ton, however powerful, shall disregard
our rights. If these premises assumed
in regard to Sanguilly are true and we
suffer Spain to hold the prisoner another
fortnight, we lose that proud distinction
of citizenship
The Statesman has sustained the adj
ministration in not recognizing the Cuban
patriots although its sympathies were
with them, because they have not fully
complied with the terms of international
law in maintaining local Independent
government, but when it comes TO the
failure to protect the rights. of American
citizenship, The Statesman protests with
all Its earnestncss against delay or COM
promise or The adoption of cautious
policy. That is thing that must be
sustained and unquestioncd ut all hazards
and at any cost. Neither is this mere
sentiment, without any force. The SEN
timcnts that cluster about the flag of
ones country have in them the vitality
and life blood of the nation. Patriotism
spires u color bearer TO charge 10 the
mouth of cannon bclching shot and shell
or to impac his body on the bayoncts of
the enemy in an attempt to rescue that
flag, is sentiment. The lofticst nobcst
and purcst ideals of ones country spring
from sentiments of heroic devotion, and
when these sentiments withcr, then mere
interest bargains over settlements en-
brncing nations honor.
1t is the duty of congress 10 stop all
other business, if necessary, to invest-
gate the Sanguilly arrest, conviction and
imprisonment and if Spain has stepped
one fraction of an inch over the rights
Of an American citizen illegally, il is the
duty of congress to declare war against
Spain and rescue Snnguily, if it can only
find the remnants of his body in the
burned cindcrs of hundred cities. This !
is no light matter We do not know
that our premises are correct, but they
are warranted by the, correspondents
from Havana, and whether true or not |
the facts should be asccrtained through |
n congressional investigation and if the |
statements in regard to Sanguilly are
true and he is the most obscure and hum |
citizenship, any further hating or trifling |
is shameful and cowardly and treacher- |
Gus to the noblest sentiments that ami |
mate American citizens. We do not be- |
long TO the tribe of jingocs. We abomi- |
nate war, but when it comes to the pro-
lection of a citizen of this country. we
are in favor of prompt and decided and |
uncompromising measures. If we per-
NIT the impression to go abroad that the |
United States is Indifferent to the treat
ment of its citizens by foreign govern
ments il would rob the dadem Of indie |
pendence of its brightest jewels and leave |
it n gaudy counterfeit, unworthy of the
respect of any nation. Let the facts be |
known and let the authorities at Wash
ington City govern themselves accord |
ingly.
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