Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-01-22

From the commanding general to the
private in the American army, al!
showed at their best. and as the sturdy
columns swept through the streets of
ltaVana there WAS no eye that looked
upon them that was not indclib,y inn
pressed with the simple dignity. the
irres!stble potency and the far reach
ing and hopeful influence Of the spec
lacle. The bearing Of the Captain
General of Spain in this trying hour of
MS abdlcatio was that of n soldier and
gentleman, and he anu his officers de-
meaned themselves with such simple,
UNAFFECTED dignity that every heart was
touched and sympathy of respect in
spired and displaced for the time all
sentiments of cnmity or resentment.
Il could but think that many of the
spanish officers and soldiers were
themselves the victims of the heredi-
taiy policy which the Spanish kings
ana commanders have handed down
FOR generations. and were wcrthier of
better fate than to have been cast
out from an inheritance which tina,
policy has so signally despoiied
cuba has been ruined and the Span
ish empire has been withered. The
last of it's American possessions has
been lost ana the Spanish nation
brought to ashes and humiliation from
failure 10 realize that all govern
ments must be founded upon the rights
OF human nature. aud thar every intel
ligent community knows better what
is good for itself than the hirelings of
the absent and far distant king.
SPAN has never been able 10 learn
the elementary principles of Democrat
Is institutions. and her very name will
De ooliterated from the map of exist
ING nations unless she burns the books
OF the past and starts afresh to build
up from the bottom The American
policy I'm Cuba should be opposite to
everything Spanish. The church should
De instantly and forever separated
from the state. and not a penny remain
rs hSament between them. Agricuitu-
RAJ implements and public schools; are
the iirst necessities of progress. The
intelligent Cuban identified with tho
Cuban people should be put as RAPIDLY
as possible into public positions. The
people are kind natured tractablc and
friendly. and Will be confiding rs soon
as tHey are dealt with by those who
90 not cheat. rob and Cypress them.
but before any Improvement is un-
uertoke'i the work Of charity has in
slant call The Americans and Cubans
are becoming rapidly acquainted and
as soon as the formal abdication Of
Spain Is fully realized the remains
OF the Spanish regiments are removed
they VIII be brought into close council
.'u SioScI friendship ana then We NAV
discuss the fueure of Cuba without the
embarrassment OF conditions which
still in Il measure remain.
50 far as matters have progressed.
peileVe the President has acted with
great wisdom and humanity. and that
the able officers and men who repre-
sent our army are well worthy of all
respect. That the public will keep
faith with itself and with the deeplv
afflicted but noble aspiring people who
are now recipients OF its magnanimous
care do not doubt. 1t is my hope that
we may avoid making the future of
Cuba political question. dividing our
own people, for that would bring n new
embarrassment, not only to ourselves.
but to the Cubans themselves, and
what they most need is n surcease of
strife. 1t is consoling to reflect that
their future must In every respect be
brighter than their past. and that the
| United States will be sure to bring n
bcnilicence to every phase of Cuban
| life"