The Mt. Sterling advocate., 1902-02-11
PLAIN TALK ABOUT CON
GRESS AND CUBA.

NdllOl vi SuDd -
selfish greed, stupidity and dis
honesty for which itwould be hard
to find a parallel.
AS a bold exhibition OF "Pell
before patriotism" it is well calcu'
lated to disgust the country with
the Republican party and protec-
ton and cause a widespread re-
action in favor of the Democrats,
reorganized under wise leadership.
It's inevitable effect, if madly per-
sisted in, must be either ruin and
consequent anarchyin Cuba, which
would be a worse evil at our doors
than that for which we went to
war with Spain, or forced annexa-
ton, at the cost of the very inter
csts which are now gseedily bent
on preventing any concession.
Viewed as an economical or
commercial policy, it is condem-
ned as short-sighted and biunder-
ing even by protectionists, who
realize the value Of reciprocity in
attractive markets for American
products in a prosperous Cuba
drawing her supplies from the
United States. On this point the
action OF Mr.. H. s. Frye in re-
signing the presidency Of the New
England Tobacco Growers Assc-
citation in disgust with its selfish
policy has a most telling signih-
canoe. He declares that "a re-
duction Of 90 per cent in the duty
on Cuban tobacco would not seri-
ously injure any tobacco Interests
in the United States. that every
economic conssferztion demands
that the United States sE5uld Con-
troll the markets Of Cuba and that
the only way 10 Do this Is 70 open
our mzsksts 20 her sugar and to
hs~-o --osf
Bit IS 1lr- Cleveland has de-
dared. h5ghsraa5 more command
i1g than al political, economic or
commercial questions are the
considerations Of moraEty and con
sc5euce involved The para
1l1,-1r issue is one.of national hon
Or and plight-d faith
TH- United States vert to war
Gsr TIC so-e purpose sOlemHiy
vowed By Congress 70 the Ameri-
can people and the world, Of free
ing Cuba from oppression and Sc
curing her independence. II spent
millions for her emancipation. It
then assumed her guardianship
that she might be saved from des-
dtuaoa. prepared FOR seifgovern-
ment and her republic established
on a hrm basis. To this end, and
for It's own advantage, It has i'm
posed conditions which make Cuba
practically a ward ofthe United
States without freedom to treat
4itA lo4eign nations.
Have we rescued Cuba from op-
preston and devastation at the
cost Of unlimited treasure and
blood only 10 abandon her 10 suf-
fcring and starvation at the instance
Of petty selfish interests? Have
We undertaken to secure her be-
nehcent government only to sacri-
fee her to anarchy Have we
pledged her independence only to
drive her 70 annexation?
Shame on a Congress that re-
fuses TO a struggling protege ofthe
nation the needed relief prompted
by national interest as we'll as com
mon humanity. and which cannot
DC withheld without breach oi
pledged faith and national dishon-
or The richest island in the
world, Cuba, asks but fair dealing
and opportunity to enter upon an
era Of boundless prosperity that
will rebound TO the benefit of the
United States, as well as prove her
own salvation. 1t is time for the
American people TO demand, with
a determination not to be resisted
by any Congress or party, that the