The herald., 1898-03-17
PATRIOTISM AND FERvoR
sPANLsH-AMERIoAN CITIZENS
HAVE A MASS MEETING
Their Love Is for the Stars and Stripes
and They will Fight Spain for
Country and Home

Between 1900 and 1900 people gathered last
night at the Plaza, in front Of the National
hotel, where a stand had been built, to
hear a number of Spanish-Americans ex-
press their views on the Cuban question
and their sentiments of loyalty to the
United States. The Mexican Philharmonic
band rendered patriotic selections between
the speeches.
i President Romulo Pico stated the object
of the meeting and introduced the orators
of the evening.
| A. A. Montana was the first speaker
He addressed the meeting in Spanish He
said that there should be no hesitation on
the part of the descendants of Mexican
parents In the event of war with Spain.
They were all citizens of this great re-
public, although of Spanish blood but
none of them had ever been subjects of
that nation across the water. In case of
war with Spain it would be the duty of
his hearers to defend their country-the
United States-against the aggressions of
the enemy.
w. J. Hunsaker said that the meeting
had been called for two purposes, first,
other to demonstrate that such descend
ants of Spain who are native born citizens
of this section were ready to defend the
flag of this country. We all prayed, he
stated, that war might not come, but If
an insult should have to be avenged by
war and blood, then this country was
fully prepared for 1t. If it should come to
a point that war must be proclaimed the
people should know that the Spanish
American citizens of this country, and
especially of this section, were ready to
give their services to the nation as they
had done 1t during the war of secession.
If war was declared 1t would not be thirty
days before the American troops would
hold Morro castle and American bands
play yankee Doodle on the streets of
Havana. He reviewed the barbarites that
had been committed by the Spanish on
the island and said that it looked as if
the Cubans would achieve their independ-
ence before the close of the year.
| r. F. Dominguez told the meeting that
they had congregated to demonstrate their
patriotism ard to show that they were
prepared to defend their flag and their
Countrywide sublimest and most powerful
one In the world-to defend 1t against Spain
or any other nation. 1t might be, he said,
that they were of Latin descent but what
had that to do with it, when one has to
fight for his country? The speaker felt
that at such a time men should shed their
blood for their liberty and be ready in the
supreme hour to defend the country at the
cost of oceans of blood. Those present
were Americans and would defend the
ISt1rS StrinaG Inc INctn1 11p
Unidos.
| We are here, said Frank Dominguez, to
protest against the barbarous, cruel and
uncivilized warfare waged by tyrannical
Spain to suppress the revolution in Cuba
and Its demand for self-government. Spain
has defied us. This great commonwealth
of 7O.0OO,oO0 brave American freemen shall
not cover under the threat of a degenerate
race. l believe the time is now opportune
for our country to take decided stand
on the question of belligerency and face
the issue whether or not Cuba shall so be
recognized. Let US demand of our govern
ment the immediate recognition of Cuba.
| Then shall the Monroe doctrine have be-
come an accomplished reality and Euro
pean tyranny shall have been forever ban
ished from the confines of the new world.
]. Castillo, a native of Cuba but an
American citizen, who truthfully dis
| claimed being an orator made up for other
deficiencies by his patriotic utterances.
He told a personal story of oppression
| by the Spaniards in his native isle until
they forced him to emigrate. Mr.. Castillo
was very entertaining, however, and kept
the meeting in the best of humor He
hoped that the blowing up of the battle
ship Maine would be avenged.
| Rafael Sepulveda was the last speaker
of the evening. His discourse was in
Spanish and he referred with enthusiasm
TO the heroic conduct of Guadalupe Hidal-
go and other patriots who had wrested
from Spain the independence of Mexico.
At present the Cubans were attempting
to gain their liberty. 1t should not be be-
lieved that because Spanish blood coursed
in the veins of Spanish Americans that
they were traitors to their country. He
reviewed what Spain had done for it's
American colonies and deduced therefrom
that it had blessed them with nothing
that was worth having 1t was the duty
of all American citizens, no matter from
whom descended, to defend its institutions
and shed their blood for their country If
they were called upon so to do
The following resolutions were adopted:
Whereas, The Cuban patriots are fight
ing to achieve independence, their efforts
deserve the sympathy of all nations and
of all people who love liberty; and
Whereas, Our nation is ON the eve of
hostlities with Spain, be it
Resolved, BY the Spanish-American peo-
pie of the city OF Los Angeles in mass
meeting assembled, that we extend our
sympathy to the Cubans and will give our
life, fortune and sacred honor for the de-
fense of our flag, and we commend the
skill and patriotism of our patriotic pres
ident.