The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1898-03-25
Ia PLdTd-CUBA.

"Let us do what we believe in con-
science to be right, and leave the con-
sequences to Heaven" were the
strong words addressed to President
Monroe by an American Commission,
in its report upon the struggles of the
South American patriots to throw off
the Spanish yoke. The conditions
which called forth such an expression
were not unlike those which confront
our government today. The United
Provinces of the La Plata were in re-
volt against the cruel oppression of
Spain and had set up a Provisional
Government. The brave effort of San
Martin and O'Higgins in Chilli had
kindled the patriotic spark in the
Provinces, and our Government sent,
on the frigate Congress, Commission
composed of Messrs. Rodney, Graham
and Bland to the field of action, ito
obtain correct information on every
subject in which the United States
are interested" A striking similarity
between Spanish diplomacy OF that
day and the present time is readily
noticed in the report of the Commits
sion. The barbaric and inhuman
conduct practiced by Spain towards
her suffering subjects has ever been
present, and duplicity and treachery
have been concomitant attributes OF
her military strength. Her Indian
Vassals in South America, as early as
the sixteenth cent ury whose relations
to the wealthy land owners were
similar to the Russian Doors or En-
glish villains, were SO terribly Cypress
edthat even the land holders displayed
a spirit of resistance and their Mes
senger Gasca received for reply that
provided the country remained to the
king the devil might have the govern
ment."
The fellow feeling for patriots striv-
ing for liberty was as predomina mt
with us at the time of the sailing of
the Commission as it is now with the
Cubans, in their efforts to tear them
selves from the thraldom of Spain.
The Spanish government were as
cruel and implacable then as now and
from the moment when they secured
the possession of these countries to
the south of US, their power was ex-
emplified by systems of degradation
and devastation, and when resistance
manifested itself their victims were
punished by fire, sword and extermi-
nation. The question of Intervention
and the recognition of the indepe
ence of the La Plata Provinces was
exercising the mind of our government
and the same character of obstacles
was presented then as now. 1t is in.
teres ting to note what the Commits
sion say in regard to the Spanish
European coalition of that day. 1T
is very evident, says the Commission,
that we must be, and should be proud
to be, the first to acknowledge the in
dependence of South America, or any
part of it whene yer it may be achiev.
ed" sit is probable that some of the
European powers having objects in
view to answer, may sport with the
credulity Of Spain--the agents of Spain
may whisper that her cause is to be
espoused by the great congress, but
these tricks will deceive none but
themselves. We can render more as
sistance to the patriots than all
Europe can render to Spain"
When Ferdinand was restored to
his throne the cruel tortures were
again inflicted upon the colonies. "He
pursued" says the report, a system of
cruelty and determination, unparallel-
ed in the history of the world, 4
Nothing short of total determination
of the people can ever place these
countries again in the peaceable pos
session Of Spain; this is the only hope |
remaining to her despicable fury
She exhibits at the same time, the con-
temptible character of a mendicant |
for assistance to all the Courts of |
Europe, tacitly acknowledging that
without this her colonies is lost"
1t appears that history is repeating
itself, and that our government in the
crisis now upon it, must once more
become not only the champion of the
cause of the oppressed in the Western
world, but also stretch forth its pro-
tecting arm and beat back from Cuba
the inhumanity of SPANS dynastic
power.