The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-15

into the family of nations by our potential
act. The present so-cailed government, at
most, is a military ogarchy with no hab-
tat, with no well-defined governmental or
ganism exercising the functions of a Iepub-
tic; and IL we were to recognize its indie
pendence under the present pressure. with
out adequate knowledge or information, Ii
might lead TO the establishment of Il power
upon the island which would prove vexa-
tious and hurtful to us. and our second es-
tate might be as bad or worse, than our
hist, or, at least We might continue TO be
seriously menaced and disturbed by II.
There are doubtless among the citizens
Of the island those capable OF forming and
establishing n government which will be
stable and secure and which will be Il
guarantee that the Cuban question is set
tied for all time to come. lt seems 10 me,
therefore. that the first imperative duty
resting upon us is TO establish tranquility
in the island, relieve the suffering and dis
trhssed and then enable the citizens of the
Island to deliberate and form government
upon such lines their highest and best
interests may require. 1t may be that the
present pretended republic Is expressive of
the highest and best thought of the island
and that It's recognition will be found TO be
IN the best interest of all concerned II
this be so time will demonstrate it. We
should not forget that the ultimate de-
Cision is in our hands; that justice will not
miscarry; delay will not defeat her
righteous demands. The air is too full of
rumors as 10 the character CT the present
so-called Cuban republic and to the
bonds that have been fioated in its name
in this country and said to be in the hands
OF spectators to justify us in any hasty
act of recognition.
Mr.. President, we have been educated to
the doctrine in this country that the ma
JoIity shall rule If it shall be demon
stIated that the present so-called republic
IS fairly representative of the majority of
tho citizens OF Cuba | would gladly and
quickly vote to recognize its authority II
1t represents majority and we compel
peace it should have no difficulty in con-
Nincing US of the fact and that it is
titled to rule and to recognition. Sir. no
one will distrust our motives in, taking this
step. We do not intervene for revenge, for
the acquisition of territory, for the extern
sion of our authority and power. Our past
is, ample proof of this. Spain has long
oVertaXed the generous fcrbearance of our
people. We have suffered wrongs which
would have justified nation actuated by
less exalted motives than We to have struck
in revenge. Ample opportunity has hereto
fore occurred for the seizure of the island
by force If we had been eager to extend
our dominion No Mr.. President, the world
will acquit us of any base desire. The mis-
government of Cuba has become so fragrant,
there have offended the civilized world
that we must intervene for and in the name
OF humanity. No higher motive can actuate
any government
INTERVENTION OR RECOGNITION.
Mr.. President. / am aware that interview
ton in the domestic affairs of another power
is a matter of delicacy and should be at
tempted only where the necessity is clear
only where ii is demanded by grave ext
gency. Such necessity exists here, surely
indisputably. There are those who hold
that before intervention we should recognize
the independence of the republic which is
reported to have been organized and main
tanned in the island. 1t is urged, among
other things. that such recognition should
occur in order that we may not incur La
bility to the holders of certain Spanish
bends which are said to have been issued
under a pledge of the revenues of Cuba for
the payment of the interest thereon In
&c hnld hat infn ion
without recognition, would be to incur p
large liability which may be avoided by
recognition. l must wholly dissent from
the soundness of this proposition. There is
not one precedent. far as l aware
which fairly supports it, The opposite con-
tention is that we shall intervene with force
and then acknowledge the independence of
the present republic. IT, when in possession
of adequate information, it's recognition is
proper, and if it is not a proper govern
ment to recognize, then that we shall ac-
knowledge some republic which the patriots
OF Cuba may deliberately form. Such is the
emergency of our views, though we are
seeking to attain the same end. More brief
ly stated one contention is recognition and
intervention; and the other intervention and
recognition. Is there subtlety enough here
to measure the difference in our obligations
our international liabilities. under these two
methods? Mr.. President. ] am free to con-
fess that ! am unable to see why our uti-
mate responsibility would not be the same
in the one case as i'm the other The final
end is the same, though the processes are
slightly different. Il seems TO me that the
substance of our act must control and not
the mere form. Haste. sir. in this vital
matter is not of the essence of the situa-
ton; correct conclusion should be our sole
and only aim But. Mr. President. no liza,
biity will rest upon us whichever method
we pursue. Spain has. by her course. which
1t is unnecessary to review in this connec-
ton. f9rt , her her right to further dominion
enues were ever pledged to the payment
of interest on any Spanish bonds submit
that such pledge was subject to the for
fixture of the island by Spain for the viola
ton of those humane principles and pre-
cepts which are observed by the civilized
nations of the earth. 1t cannot be held, it
has never been held. that any nation could
pledge its revenues to secure its bonds and
all inferno tionaI obligations and be secure
against overthrow. Sir. the rights of hui
manity are superior to the rights of bond
holders. and we violate neither the law of
nations nor incur the burdens which rest
upon Spain by our intervention either be-
fore or after recognition; When the bonds
were taken under specific pledge. If such
was given they were taken upon the inn
piled understanding that the pledger would
observe It's international obligations accord
ing to the standard of civilized nations.
The bondholder must know that violation
of these obligations would work forfeiture
of the estate of the obligator. The bonds
were taken subject to a condition. and that
condition was the observance and practice
of the rules of humanity the faithful dis
charge of International duties. The condl-
ton. sir, has been broken.
NEW EPOCH IN OUR HISTORY.
SIr. we are al the beginning of new
epoch in our history No graver emergency
ever confronted us than the one which faces
us at this hour. Peace is about to be abdi-
Gated for policy which may lead to war.
War if it comes, will have been forced
upon us by the misgovernment the inso-
lence. the cruelty of Spain. Spain has too
long presumed upon our good nature; she
has too long offended against the sense of
rilla-like, barbarous warfare upon her sub
jects in Cuba, upon American citizens and
American commerce. has been, in effect "A
war upon lis. The concessions she has made
towards a modification of her iron and
harsh rule have been made but to be brok-
en-. Her diplomacy has been characterized
by subtlety inSncerity and insult until
our countrymen have lost faith in her pro-
fessons, confidence in her stability and fit
safety to our citizens and their commercial
interests in Cuba is forever DESTROYED so
long as Spanish sovereignty is maintained
there. The highest dictates of ma tional in
which is waged in Cuba should be stopped
by force of arms, all other means of pa
chic nature failing.
We need make apology for the DELHI
Grafton and delay in making this last APP
peal, for no self-respecting nation could af-
degree the resources of diplomacy before
a resort to arms. If some delay has oc-
Cured while the powers concerned have
attempted TO effect a peaceful and honor
able conclusion and war comes, we can
have the consolation of the reflection that
holds throughout the land. Thousands of
patriotic boys above and before whom