Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1897-03-25
G Correspondence.
Men of '76-Cubtn Patriots.
NORTH HANCOCK, March 10,

NORTH HANCOCK, March 10, 1897.
To the Editor of the american:
| There is a passage in the letter of Capt.
Richardson, published in THE AMERICAN
Feb. 25, in which he challenges com
parison of the Cuban patriots with our
Revolutionary heroes, which it is OBJ
vious that he thinks will prove unfavor-
able to the former. l would, therefore,
| invite his attention to the following
anecdote of he immortal John Hancock,
first signer OF the Declaration OF Inde
| pendence, and the man in whose honor
| the captains own county is named.
When the English were in possessi ion
OF Boston, at the commencement of the
Revolutionary war Washington, for the
purpose of driving out the enemy. con-
suited Congress to the propriety OF
bombardlng the city. John Hancock
presided at the time. A member pro-
posed that the president should first give
his opinion being deeply interested.
"Gentemen," said he, call the property
which possess is in Boston, yet l should
rejoice to see the city reduced to ashes If
by that means the English should be
driven from our country"
And again, W hen the Americans here
forced to abandon the city of New York
to the British, the proposition to burn
the city was most seriously discussed.
Washington inquired of Congress: 'If we
are obliged to abandon the town, shall ii
stand as winter-q quarters for the enemy"
TO which Congress replied that mo dam
age should be done to the city Of New
York, as it cou d undou btedly be recovered
even should the enemy obtain possession
for time"
Green, who was then i'll, wrote: Il
would burn the city and suburbs to de-
prive the enemy of barracking their
whole army together and OF pruftng 10y
a general market" Lambs "History of
the City of New York; page IL, vol. Il,
says: John Jay had long since advo-
Gated the burning of the city; aud Vol
colt quoted presidents here invading
armies had been starved and ruined by
the laying waste of the countries upon
which they had built their hopes"
In regard TO the general pollcy of cam
paigning, the Cubans seem to have had
their precedent set by Washington him
self, for he said it is ''Impo,sible to for
get TINT history, our own experience, he
advice of our abltst friend. in Europe,
the fears of the enemy, and even Ire
declarations of Congress, demons rate
that on our SHE tne war should be de-
fensive ut has even been called Mar of
posts !; that we shoald on adj occasions ,
avoid general action; not put any ming
to risk unless compelled by a necessity .
INTO when We ought never to be dra,lI.n ]
Indeed it seems to me that history is
repea ing ITSELF and that 1t may continue
to repeat itself until Cub a /, free, even as
we are free, is the sincere hope of the
writer.
The magnanimous conduct OF the Gu
bans toward their Spanish prisoners, in
the face of the terrible provocation to re-
turn ike for like on their foes, is worthy
OF all praise, and in Judging them, We
should not allow ourselves to be blinded
to justice by race prejud ice, hat would be
unworthy OF Us rs Americans.
As for the Monroe doctrine, that is a
measure intended for our own self-de-
tense, without reference to the character
of our sout hern American neis bors.
A. r. AUSTIN.