The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1898-04-16

Nesscfa hemtspnere- kAppiknse IN the gar
ieries-I she kas By misgovern1aent and cruelty
forfeited every claim upon the Gem of the
Antilles. and in the interests Of a common
humanity this country should intervene and
stop the VAT.
sPaTx.s PossEssIoss.
II wiil be remembered that one hundred years
ago spain owned large part of what Is now
the United States ell Of Mexico most Of Central
and sonth America. and many Of the West
Indies Islands
Within = hundred years, a. the result OF mis-
government snd misrule. she has lost all Of her
territory on the Western Hemisphere except the
Islands Of Cuba aud Porto Rico, and II anyone
can tell me Why she should be allowed to longer
retain control OF Cuba the information viii be
gratefully received certainly know of no
reason.
may Be wrong. but It seem to me that It is q
reproaeh to the civilization Of the age that a
bankrupt and eorrups government like spain
should be permitted 70 hold on this continent q
people who have aspirations for the same
liberty that we enjoy.
Our forefathers went TO war because the
mother country put tax on tea.
Cuba has ten thousand more reasons than We
had for rebellion and she deserves the sympathy
and help Of every true American
A aATTER OF HISTORY.
III have read history correctly, not since the
downfall OF the Roman Empire has there been
such a story Of the rise TO greatness and the fall
TO heIplessness Of great power - 10 this IN
stance Of spain. Ii IL one Of the striking
condolences of history that spain today, finding
herself menaced with the loss OF her last
American possessions through conflict with
the great American Republic, dates the begin
ming Of her power from the year 1892 In which
year the discovery Of Columbus led 70 the
ultimate establishment OF the United States.
The year which gave the Western Hemisphere
To spain witnessed the expulsion Of the Moors
from Grenada and made all the Spanish posses
sions one united country. Her first King.
Ferdinand OF Aragon. whose marriage with
Isabella Of CASTLE In 1873 marked the beginning
of real Spanish Kingdom. was also the last
Spanish King, for at his DEATH In 1916 the sue
| cession passed into the lines Of the Hapsburgs.
with sad and melancholy consequences for the
civilized world.
During the four hundred years of spain's rise
and fall her invariabe record has been one of
| every sentiment Of human freedom. common
| justice. and enlightment The slavery to which
| she doomed her subjects In the Western Henri
| sphere was not more cruel than her oppression
| OF Holland or her tyranny over her own people
at home The bigotry the fanatieism, the
intolerance. and the gloomy superstition of her
tone Of mind are unrelieved by one single CLEAN
of recognition Of human rights. just as the dis
graceful record Of her decay and downfall Il I'M
relieved by one single triumph Of genius In
statesmanship or ofprowess In battle against an
armed enemy.
One after another spains possessions hare
| fallen away like bricks from moldering wall,
| until today she stands alone. bankrupt in
| resources. but still elinging to that policy oil
cruelty, Of oppression and determination which
| has been her only known method of dealing for
four hundred years, until finally forced to con-
| front the Republic Of freedom, Of equality. of
| justice. Of humanity, Of civilization
Mr. President Ii Is not accident chance
which has brought about the present situation.
II Ia memorable destiny. which DEGREES that the
last of SPANS Dl-gotten possessions In this
hemisphere will be lifted to freedom BY the one
Republic which represents everything that
Spain has antagonized during her whole
history
Fortunately the people of this great Republic
are thoroughly aroused TO the situation, and the
great heart Of the American populace Is in full
sympathy with Cuba
Religion and humanity alike demand that this
unholy war shall cease and cease 1t should.
even though the glitter aud glamour of military
rule shall end and a decaying aud dissolute
throne shall pass away never to return.
THE REMEDY.
Mr. President. 1 am asked what would have
done.
Tho question Is one demanding an honest
and careful answer
The senator from Vermont closed his speech
by n declaration that he does not favor anne
alton: but for my sell. looking to the demands of
| advancing civilization and the future peace aud
prosperity of the island / am of opinion that
sooner or later this great government will Of
necessity absorb Cuba. Aud If it is to come,
why not now
Ii is argued that we do not want territory
peopled by a race different In nationality aud
habits of life from our own Is II forgotten that
when we absorbed California Florida, and
Texas that same problem confronted our
government? The problem was soon solved
| aud who dares now say that California Florida,
and Texas are less American than Massachu-
| sets Virginia, and New York? Ours Is great
country, of marvellous resources and infinite
possibilities. We are once more united people,
| and 1t Is utterly Idle TO say that can not sue
| cessfully govern an Island that Is practically a
| part Of our own territory. To doubt our ability
| TO do that Is reflection upon the strength OF
| Republican institutions that do not share
But Mr.. President " annexation cannot be
accomplished, let Cuban independence speedily
| come American interests In Cuba have already
| suffered enough. We have patrolled our coast
| In the interest of Spain as long as We should.
| and We have spent quite too much money In
protecting our people from epidemic diseases
| coming to our shores because of the unsanitary
| conditinn Of the harbor and city OF Havana.
| spain has failed to meet the requirements Of an
age Of advanced civilization. Let the United
states or Cuba take up the problem and solve it.
The vigor shown by our early statesmen in
dealing with Spain In relation to the acquisition
of Florida Is precedent that may well be in
vokcd in this crisis, for no one now hesitates To
| commend the action OF Monroe and Adams In
dealing with that problem.
| Mr.. President. for Cuba the present is dark
| and fOreboding, but we must not forget that
God rcigns. and that the mighty sweep OF
| human progress Will not rest until oppression
| and cruelty are overcome. and the aspirations
aud hopes OF all people struggling for better
| conditions aud higher life are realized. Poor
| Cubal Crushed and bleeding, commend her
TO the great heart of the American people.
| Applause In the gallerics