The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-04
THE FUTURE OF CUBA.
More Reasons Advanced Why the
United States Should Control.

To the Editor of the indianapolis Journal:
While the disposal of Cuba after the war
is question the discussion of which may
be a little premature now, yet it is a ques-
ton which has to be met and one which evil
IDENTIFY will excite great deal of discussion
and bring forth some peculiar ideas on the
eternal and much-misunderstoodd doctrine of
equal rights" and the consent of the gov
erned." There is a great deal of false SEN
timent INDUCED in over the doctrine of
government of the people, for the people
ard by the people," Mr.. Donnell, in his ar
tcle of June 80, dwells on the idea that
governments derive their just powers from
the consent of the governed" After this
Spanish war is over and Cuba is free and
has just powers and rights, where will she
have derived those rights and powers If not
from Uncle Sam?
have read carefully Mr.. Maurice Thomp-
sons article and 1t is as patriotic as 1t is
sound and reasonable. There are several
reasons why the United States should take
hand in the government of Cuba after the
war.
First-Because we, as a nation, are taking
a strong hand in her freedom, and will be
the power that redeems her.
Second-Because Cuba is now, and after
of self-government.
ThirdoBecause Cuba will need, not only
Uncle Sans strong arm to protect her from
foreign invasion, but she will also need his
progressive arm to help her on to a better
form of government and higher standard
of living.
Fourth-Because after the war is over Gu
ba will be nearer and more sacred to us
than ever, because her soil will be bathed
Sdod SO reey she'd four hep and He
hills and wales will entomb so many of our
brave patriots. We extended our dominion
by. purchasing Louisiana and Alaska with
old-clinking silver and gold. No one ever
thought about crying equal rights" and
consent of the governed" when we took
governmental control of these possessions.
We are purchasing Cubas freedom, not at
the paltry price of dollars and cents, but
and noblest lives AS write. to-days Jour
nal is thrown on my desk and pause to
pick it up and read Desperate Fighting at
Santiago" American Loss Heavy" "Esti-
mate 500 Killed and Wounded" suppose
If we had bought Cuba from Spain with
money as we purchased Louisiana from
France and Alaska from Russia, these Dec
laration of Independence sentimentalists
would have made no objections whatever to
our taking absolute control of the island;
more than that, they would doubtless have
insisted on us having our rights. What
could possibly give Uncle Sam better
right to Cuban soil that title-deed written
blood? Which is the dearest to the Amer
lean home. ten-dollar bill or a. mothers
brave SOM where IL the IlOSL humanity
and patriotism found. in silver dollar or
in heros breast? Shall we ask for more
in exchange for dollar than for human
We are in part growing to be won
derfully commercial and mechanical race.
There is, perhaps, more danger threatening
from imperialism" We don't want Uncle
Sam to hug the almighty dollar closer to his
There is less danger to us and to the world
in extending our broad, enterprising and
patriotic spirit to the lone and desolate and
in us gathering our cloak and pick ak and
spade about us and squatting down
in one place r., and digging for gold
dependence dep was e never vs' ii for
a Chinese wall, fencing in and limiting
American eagle will be very difficult bird
to cage, and doubtless he will insist on
spreading his broad pinions and lowering
over the new-made graves of our patriot
dead as they silently sleep beneath the sun
scorched hills and plains of Cuba. And why
not? If our flag is to wave there. if our de-
parted loved ones are to rest there why
should not our spirit and our laws be there
with them? If the form and the spirit of
the United states government are good and
wholesome they ought to be extended, es-
pecially where needed and wanted. AS Cuba
and the Philippine islands need our courage
and warlike spirit in their battle for
freedom and redemption, so will they need
our peace-loving and progressive spirit for
their stable growth and permanent security
ment, with all our modern energy, enter
prise and mechanical skill, can take hold
of Cuba and assist to develop the abundant
resources there and polish this neglected
and rusted gem of the ocean and crown
and robe anew this beautiful queen of the
Antilles, and make her deserts blossom as
the rose, and thus bring good to Cuba and
TO the world. as well as to ourselves, surely
our fear of that scarecrow, imperialism
should not prevent from doing We
are urging war for humanity. But that
war for humanity will not be entirely over
when the last gun has been fired, the last
island, Cuba freed and the American flag
raised. That part of the war waged with
cannon and rifle and sword and machete
will be ended it is true; but the battle for
truth that makes free, indeed, for higher
education and enlightenment, the warfare
against ignorance and mental darkness and
social degradation and superstition that
Spain has Strewn and nursed over the ISL
and; the battle for human rights in fuller
fruition, and for good and wholesome laws
and healthful form of government. will
to fire and the cannon to roar. And vino
in the wide. wide world is more capable of
taking up that supreme task than Uncle
Sam, with his pen and book and Bible?
The soldier and the sword having paved
the way, let the teacher and the pen follow
up and carry on the good work begun. The
Cubans may be- and are. brave and patri-
otto and of noble impulse But they are
weak in body, in knowledge and in power.
Uncle Sam can supply their needs. Let
Uncle Sam freely give and Cuba freely re-
Gifted JONATHAN KEITH.