The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-04-15
THE THING MUST STOP.

The people of the United States will
presently arrive at the conclusion that
it is discreditable to US as nation
that this country should be'used as the
plotting ground for malcontents
against nations with which we are at
peace. Years ago, in the Fenian ex-
element New York City was made the
headquarters Of a War Committee,
raising funds and men to wage war
against England. The brilliantly ca
parisoned officers Of a regularly or
gained army rode up and down the
streets Of the city; enlistments were
made throughout the whole country,
munitions Of war were gathered and
stores of arms made to wage war
against a nation with which we had
treaty of peace and amity.
That the whole thing was shameful
was undeniable then, and is now. In
the end, when these plotters, no matter
what the cause they represented,
sought to invade English territory the
United States was compelled in COM
mon decency, to lay hands upon them
and break up the organization. NO
sane man can possibly defend the prac-
tice Of making our country the seat
and source of plot and war preparation
against nations with which we have
entered into compacts Of peace and
friendship. In the present time we have
a Junta Of Cubans in New York openly
declaring that it is the head and front
Of the Cuban instruction. It's Presi-
dent is the President of the civil
Government set up by the insurrec-
tionists. That body has had the bold
ness to address our Congress, to send
messages of demand and protest to our
Presidents.
It has raised money openly in our
midst to prosecute a war against Spain.
It has gathered and shipped arms, and
has QUILTED expeditions against a
nation to which we have been bound
by solemn treaty in peace and amity
It makes no sort of difference whatever
that the insurrectionists have cause fol
revolt. The fact that Americans
largely sympathize with the Cubans
cuts no figure in the case. The simple
fact remains that we permit refugees
from other lands to politically plot in
the open and without check against
nations to whom we have said that
these things shall not be permitted"
The thing has been a serious reproach
to US. 1t is the opinion of the foremost
students of international codes that the
procedure is a direct violation of the
law. and amounts to an offense fol-
which war might be declared by any
people thus offended. Let US place
ourselves in the other fellows place
and by that test answer whether We
would hold the nation blameless tina
permitted an open and unchecked
scheming and arming against US with
In the bounds of a State that had Gov
enanted with US IN peace and friend
ship.
The time has come when the United
States must by legislation prohibit sucl
practices. This Republic is not to be
must not be permitted to become tn
State within which the rebels, anarch
lists, the expelled communists or peopl
of any order of other States may freel.
assemble to plot war against States W
have pledged in mutual peace an
emity.
We cannot again afford to permit ar
mics to be raised, arms to be gatheret
and expeditions fitted out against thos
we have solemnly sworn to regard q
friends. The United States must no
give promise by word and refuse it il
spirit 1t cannot afford any longer t
occupy a position that makes it an Of
tense in the eyes of the world
Regardless Of our sympathies or on
conceptions of the righteousness Of
cause, if we are true to ourselves an
have common regard for deceney c
behavior, we must prohibit these of
fensive proceedings. This land is
refuge for the oppressed. They ar
free to enter and avail of the blessing
and privileges of our system of Govern
ment. But it was never contemplate
by the fathers, it is not within the lin
its of our constitutional guarantee!
permissible that our soil should be use
for the brewing of war broth to fatte
armies to be hurled against nations W
profess to regard as friends, and {
whom we exact protection for our pee
pie within their bounds.