New-York tribune., 1901-02-02
LET US SEE IT.
THERE SHOULD BE NO UNDUE HASTE
OVER THE CUBAN CONSTITUTION.

OVER THE CUBAN CONSTITUTION.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: There is an old Spanish couplet still in
vogue in Cuba, which says:
Antes que te cases,
AIire 10 que haces-
1t is an injunction that we might well bear In
mind in dealing with the proposed Cuban con-
stitution.
One would imagine from the outgivings of
correspondents and the press that the consti-
tuition was coming toward US like an electric
car. that we must jump on as soon as 1t touches
the crossing be forever left behind. We are
told that il is due on February 10, and that IL
must be acted on at once as there will be only
two weeks Of the Congressional session remain
ing. Otherwise. that we shall have TO have an
extra session of the new Congress. with its
trouble and expense. And that il the new Con-
gress does not speedily decide about il. there
will be unrest in the United States and danger
in Cuba and so forth and so forth
Certainly il is desirable that the President
and Cabinet should examine it promptly as well
as carefully Certainly, il Is desirable that Con-
gress the deIiberative body. shall discuss II
thoroughly as we'll without needless delay
But there is another party to the business, whose
opinions are worth considering. That Is. the
American people. II concerns them now ana
hereafter quite as much as il does their tenn
porary representatives at Washington. they
have not yet seen the constitution. and nave
heard Of it but imperfectly. When it is pub
lished and they have read II. they will undoubt-
edIy discuss il temperateIy and decide about II
wisely For our Government is not now carried
on merely by legislative or executive announce
ments from the capital Thanks 20 our modern
system Of railways telegraphs and newspapers,
every great National problem is carefully
scanned studied and talked over. in reading
rooms and clubs. in public conveyances and pri-
vate homes, In city gatherings and village post
offices throughout the length and breadth OF the
land The much lauded New-England town
meeting was but the prototype Of the great Ma
tional town meeting that is going on every day.
and whose decisions are looked for and respected
at Washington.
There is nothing in our recent history more
impressive than the pause the Nation made be-
fore the Spanish war. our Government did not
begin that war OF Tvs own volition. but at the
demand of the American people Even after
the appalling news of the destruction Of the
Maine the Nation paused to consider and rea-
son out it's line Of action. II was magnificent
example of National self-controI. When at last
II reached the conclusion that the state OF af-
fairs in Cuba was intOlerable and must be ended
even at the risk Of war. il with judicial
caImness that reminded one of those mills OF
the gods" which, though grinding slowly, yet
grind exceeding small.
The Cuban question has been a long time rip
ening toward its present stage IL cannot be
ended by any summary proceedings now Doubt
less the Convention in Cuba has made a Consti-
tuition resembling In many respects those Of our
own States 1t will have. or ought TO have. the
same guarantees OF personal rights and Hber-
ties the same judicial safeguards. the same free
dom Of religious worship and popular action, and,
presumably similar machinery of republican
government But there are other points of vital
Importance We should know what il provides
in the way Of restraint or lack of restraint upon
trade. Industry. finance and public works; what
provisions II contains regarding foreign rela-
tions and military forces. Above all. We should
know and fully understand what its provisions
with regard 10 the relations between Cuba
and the United states. Doubtless it's phrases
VIII he friendly. and will contemplate a continu-
ance OF mutual friendship. But II it contains
provisions looking. directly indirectly, toward
state of possible hostility to the United States
in the future. OF foreign alliances adverse TO
u.s. all such provisions are inadmissible and
must be rejected They would simply undo what
done by the Spanish war.
When We have the constitution before us and
not till then can decide what 20 do with it.
Whatever do should be done only after due
deIiberation. consideration and care
FREDERICK W. SEWARD.
Montrose- Hudson. Jan 81 1901.