Arizona daily citizen., 1901-06-12
POLITICAL CONDITIONS IN CUBA.

Mr.. Albert q. Robinson writes to the
New York Tribune from Havana that
"the demand Of the Cubans for inde-
pendence and their idea OF that eondi-
ton are little short of mental disease
with them" This is novel view of
what s usually considered natural and
commendable ambition on the part of
mankind. Still, If Mr.. Robinson's dag
nosis il correct, and the desire of the
Cubans for independence is really a
symptom of mental disease, the world
must revise it's opinion Of some histor-
ical characters concerning whom it has
heretofore held very positive views.
For instance, Patrick Henry, whose
impassioned appeal, "giye me liberty
or give me DEATH" was the keynote Of
the Revolution, was not the ardent, i'm
pulsive, disintercsted patriot we have
heretofore imagined him, but a gifted
orator mentally unbalanced, who would
never have thought Of revolving against
British rule il he had been OF sound
mind. His appeal for liberty was symp-
tomato OF diseased mind not OF man
who wanted and was entitled to voice
in his own government. Thomas Jeffer-
son, who wrote the Declaration of lnde-
pendence, was, according to Mr.. Robin
sons theory, more an object OF pity than
of admiration. II his mental condition
had been normal he would doubtless
have written Declaration OF Ssryitude.
Judged by MIR. Robiuson's test, the Sage
of Monticello was no sage at all, as far
as his theories Of government were con-
cerned. but Il poor deluded creature.
George Washington, the great military
leader of the Revolution, the man OF
iron will, OF few words and perfect self
control, was not really what he seemed
to be, but victim OF Authorizations,
whose mind WAS warped aud twisted by
absurd prejudices against alien govern
ment'
George III, that British King, whom
Americans have been taught for more
than q century to regard as tyrant, was,
according to Mr.. Rohnson's theory, q
really enlightened monarch whose mis-
fortune il was to deal with revolt in
stigated by his mentally diseased sub
jects in the Colonies. All that unpre-
JUDGED historians have written about
the British King, all the eloquence Of
those distinguished Engishmen who
protested in Parliament against the war
upon the Colonies-all these things must
be revised in the light OF Mr.. Robinson's
discovery In Cuba, The revolt in France
against monarchical oppression was sheer
insanity, the leaders OF the Revolution
which sent French King to the guillo-
tine ought to have been in q madhouse
instead OF at the head Of political
movement which convulsed Europe.
The Englishmen who, under Cromwell's
lead, sent Charles to the scaffold and
established a commonwealth on the
ruins OF the monarchy were "mentally
diseased" Indeed, there has not been
a movement in the worlds history for
freer government or for national indie
pendence that, judged by Mr.. Robinson's
standard, was not symptomatic OF mem
tai disorder.
The Cubans ought not to feel agrieved
at Mr.. Robinson's contemptuous esti-
mate of them. II their desire for inde-
pendeDce Is a mental disease" they
are in good company. The pages OF his
tory are full OF the names OF men who
would now be regarded as raving luna
tics If, in their day, demand for indie
pendence had been considered conclu-
sive evidence Of an unsound mind. Un-
fortunately for the political aspirations
OF the people Of Cuba, Independence is
not to be given them. Judged by the
standards of the twentieth century they
are mot yet ready for self.government''
without some restraint from Washing.
ton. Therefore, bitter 40 the disap.
pointment be, it would be prudent foi
them TO accept the situation as they
find 1t, rather than give any pretext fo'
less liberal course by the United States
With their desire for independence every
American who appreciates the freedom
of our institutions can fully sympa
thixe.
But the day Of small states is fas'
coming TO an end. The world seems te
care little whether they are extinguished
or absorbed by some mightier power
Not hand has been lifted to help the
Dutch Of South Africa In their struggle
for independence. In the worlds indif
ference TO that tragedy the Cubans will
6nd lesson which they may proftably
take to heart. American statesmen o.
the present day are more concerned
about the soiidity OF "Pan-America'
than about the Independence of its va
rious components. This is doctrine
which II fatal TO Cuba's aspirations fol
! national Independence 90 free and al
complete as that of the United States.
iN4sf