The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-07-24
OUR DUTY TO CUBA.
How the Republican Administration
Has DisreGnrdcd Its Pledges.


To the Editor of The Post.
| Halletsville, Texas, July 20.-The enc
mics of republican government Throughout
the world certainly have cause to rejoice
The scandals which attach to the hgl
officials of the French republic in con
nectlon with the Dreyfus trial has caused
the very mention of French republican
minded men everywhere.
And We ourselves, what spectacle do We
present to those who love liberty and
those who hate it? When it was deter
mined to intervene In the conflict between
Spain and Cuba it was declared by as
solemn an utterance as ever emanated
from government, an utterance sane
toned by both houses of congress and ap-
proved by the president. that Cuba was
and of right ought to be free and indie
pendent. The war came. The Spanish
forces were, as every one knew they must
be, swept like chat before the wind, be-
icre the superior skill and courage OF
Americans, fighting as they fondly thought
IN the sacred cause of humanity and lib
erty. Spanish fleets were DESTROYED Span-
Ism armies were conquered and captured
with an ease which prevented the gallant
othcers OF our army and navy from gain
Ing the laurels for which they yearned
But though small glory was to be gained
In contest SO unequal, the liberalty with
winch every exploit of our army or navy
mas been rewarded and applauded attest
the earnestness and sympathy of their
eountlymen, nor have their countrywomen
been wanting In enthusiasm. Hobson for
ms gallant but unsuccessful effort TO close
up the channel through which Ceryera's
1ebt afterwards ut
man was never kissed before and If IL
even said that on the extreme confines OF
leNas civilization Il few of them we're
found bold and patriotic enough to OFFER
osculatory salutations to General Shafter
IN consideration of the heroic valor win
Wnlch he exposed his ponderous cor
poTosity Virgil described IL 1e0O vears
ago-monstrum momentum. informe en-
sun.
At an events. many months ago by the
operation of American wisdom and yalor
or or Spanish cowardice and imbecility mr.
OF both combined, the control of Cuba was
fellnquished by Spain. No Spanish naE
mas Tor months iioated over any nortion
of that beautiful island which more tnon
TWO years ago In the resolutions by which
our government sought to Justify itself
at the par OF the public opinion of Chris
tendon for its interference between her
ana Spain, had solemnly declared ..>y..
and OF right ought to be free and inde.
pendent II she was free and independent
WIEN the spanish hand was upon her
throat and the Spanish dagger at her
breast surely II must be thai she is srt,,
ieer ana more Independent now that we
uer powerful and beneficent friend and
protector, have rendered powerless TIC
nsnd and severed In pieces tha weannn
Vi her enemy. She was. according TO our
oWh statement free and independent when
her "ent 10 ner assistance how Is 1t with
derod ni'er ,he assistance has been rem
WI is sne free or independent todavg
"nat constitutes freedom as apnlied n
a otateF II Is the right To instituto y
government which derives power from
sne consent of the governed (" Is that tha
sunoltion IN Cuba? What constitutes IN
uepenueneeY 1t is the power TO levy war
liz ue peace, contract alliances. estan.
thin,s 'n ,,h, ana do all other acts and
sn,hss which independent States NAV n;
,isht 40 May Cuba do all these tb,nrss
poes me government OF that "frea VA
independent island derive It's nouar.
.,oih the consent OF the governed wh,
me whole island Is under martial law sng
naIllal law means the will OF the mill
larry commander. '"e MIL
me president OF the United States IN.
ana as commander In chief of the army
IA. N'Soo oNtT the DeODlp NJ
ms free and independent state ', u
ba~ control more absolute and entlr.
, nan me most unlimited despotism in En-.
ope permits It's chief to exercise over ~
neanest OF Its provinces. He II Is ,hae
assumes the right to establish It's COM
,oIrt 4. 20 contract its alliances, to ap-
,o'nt lts ohieers, to make Its laws ana "a
~ LOT u every act which a free and ,ndes
state ought to do for itself
we had conquered her for ourselves
curse there would be some excuse II nns
.us,incation. But We went there In ths
s sS names Of humanity and liberty 10
r w q s.ruggiing people In maintaining the
.esuom which we declared they had Al.
s eay gained and We have established over
av a tyranny more absolute Il do not
4, more eruel than that from which We
onsyed them. Spain allowed them soma
ma, = =. snare In the making and execution
,he'r laws the law We Impose on them
ns ,n ~. WI, Of the military commander"
Aa 'nat VIII Is executed by creatures Of