Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1897-05-20
CAPT. RICHARDSON ON CUBA.
He Thinks the Rebels are Posing for
the American Public.

one, so IL is III Wrltlng III idNoE VI Tue UNI
popular side of question. In airing my
hereto views, during our last vayage, re-
garding American Spanish Gu ban affairs,
was well aware that my sentiments
would not agree with the popular beat of
the American pulse. In questions OF that
kind our best people are always inclined
to take up the side of the weaker party
just as the English did during our south
ern rebellion. l don't mean to imply
that our people lightly form strong par
tizan opinions on any great foreign sub
ject, but they are certainly influenced by
their kindness Of heart. which always
throbs for the under dog in the fight.
Then, in this case their sympathy
for the rebels, alias patriots, is
strengthened by an almost universal
partizan American press, the same as
the English people, during our war, were
Influenced against us by the leading
London papers. AS rule we have little
else beside the newspapers to guide US
concerning foreign questions; and the
greatest OF these like to be on the popu-
lar side; they lead us, to be sure, but just
a little as the dog leads when he con-
tinues ahead but watches backward, at
every fork in be roads, to which way
the master will go. don t mean to
belittle the spaper-no man on earth
is more fond of 1t than land as for the
dog, the more l read the better like him,
and the more ! admire him for his
honesty.
But II does not matter how we form our
opinions, regarding these serious foreign
questions. we each have right to our
views, and res pect he sentiments OF all
others, and my neighbors in particular
a. K. Austin declares i'll favor OF a free
Cuba. ! thank him for points III history
that l did not know OF, but II IN no de-
gree affects my argument against any
comparison between Cuban rebels and
Washington's army, regarding certain
ruinous and destructive measures OF the
former am glad TO be still in the dark
rs to any policy, or even single act, of
wanton and needless destruction ON the
part of Washington. The cherry-tree
story always excepted.l
1t is not alone possible sources OF com
fort and supply to the invading army
that the Cuban rebels destroy-that
would he very proper warfare, OF course
but they destroy their own peoples prop
erty and murder the plantation hands in
order to drive the Ia borers into their
army through desolation, hunger and
fear. Their trails are marked by death,
destruction and rapine. | know OF a
hundred authentic cases which prove il
all to me.
An American eX sea captain, whom /
have long known, OWNS plantation III
the province Of Santa Clara. When the
war opened his sentiments and actions
were entirely neutral. Last year II band
of rebels, commanded by dastardly
drunken Mexican, approached the place,
aud after tn leader had diHsd VIII tie
planter he said; Captain, have come
here to Kill YOU The captain soon found
that he WIS in earnest, but by the use OF
gold he bought off his life for that day,
and the villain departed. The next MORN
ing stranger, who for some unknown
reason proved to be friend, came and
told the captain to Fly for his life. Being
convinced that such course was best,
he had no sooner got away in safety than
his place was ralded and pretty much
destroyed II ia captain had been Mt
home there Nss no doubt in the World
that he would have been killed.
/ fthey could come among US as foes,
and find Us unprotected, We SHOULD soon
/ learn to know them, to wish that
were dead and tina, our weaker ones had
never been born.
We have been told OF their maguani-
nous treatment OF prisoners. Yes, il
one or two cases for effect posing before
the world, and the United States in partic-
ular-they have been reported as unduly
lenient toward certain prisoners. But If
any one believes that they are naturally
more tender hearted, or that they would
willingly treat heir foes better than he
real Spanish would do, then he certainly
does not know them. They cannot con-
troll themse'v YES; that kind Of people
never have made and they never VIII
make good rulers. The real Spanish are
proud, and pride always leads to some de-
gree OF honor. This peculiarly mixed
tribe of rebels have no pride, nothing to
base it upon. and / never heard of their
honesty.
don't think that am "biinded in JUS
tjce by race prejadiee'', but do have the
prejudice all right. Although it is gem
orally believed that travel broadens the
mind, yet, perhaps, one who has mingled
somewhat with the five races, and many
of the mixed tribes, may be the more