The Van Buren press., 1902-05-31
Our Pledge has been Redeemed.

10y JAMES X. JONES' UNITED STATES sENATol
From ARRANsAs.j
HAVANA, May 20. American rule hal
ended in Cuba. The pledge of Of thu
United States has been redeemed; thu
Stars and Stripes have come down anc
the single star of people $ independ
ence has taken its place in the diaden
of the Western World
Our flag has been hauled down, but
II was by American hands. In honor
1t was raised; in houor 1t falls
We leave behind us the blood OF oul
brave, the expenditures Of our treasury
the splendid monuments Of our temper.
airy administration and stainless record
and we bring back to our own country
o heritage OF honor and glory won III
the holy cause Of liberty aud humanity
GREAT WORK HAs BEEN DONE.
We bring back, too, the deathless
gratitude Of those whom our valoi
saved.
II Is impossible TO convey any ade.
1uate idea of the marvellous changes
that free government and our admins
tration have wrought. The old city OF
Havana, with its foul harbor, it's filthy
streets, its pestilential atmosphere, Its
innumerable paupers, ruled and ruined
by the brutal soldiery Of Spain, is u
thing OF the past. The harbor is clean
the city Is In good sanitary condition
sewerage and water works have been
constructed, hundreds Of new buildings
erected, and everywhere there Is an air
Of business activity and general pros.
perity.
Four years ago there were to be seen
here In continual procession hundreds
OF starving women and children, pitt
fully and hesitatingly holding ont ema-
ciated hands for that charity which
those In authority forbade them to
8udibly ask. All this horror has passed
away the reconcentradoes, the beg.
CARS, the starvation and the indescrib-
able suffering are no more the crowds
In the streets all seem happy and con-
tented. Spaniard and Cuban, rich and
poor, black and white, voice their glad.
ness In the new order of things, and all
OF them express profound gratitude TO
their benefactors-the people Of the
United States
Whether Cuba remains permanently
Independent or eventually becomes one
OF the states OF our union, there is GER
tain to continue the most cordial rela.
lions between the two countries.
INDEPENDENCE BRINGS WONDERS.
This has been gala week--recep
lions, balls, professions, crowds and
everywhere enthusiasm. When the
bands play the people cheer alike the
Cuban national air and the Star.
Spangled Banner. The social functions
have been most remarkable; better ap'
pearing men and better gowned women
have never seen,
These are the children OF the new re.
public. The dream Of generations, FOR
which they have struggled and sacri.
hced, has come true today, They revel
In the sweetness and the glory Of II all
BY aud by they must face In more
serious mood the burdens and responsi.
bilities of self government. Today their
flag broke out its folds. What Is to fol-
low no man knows, but we hope and
believe that this people will be strong
enough TO maintain the liberties they
have now achieved.
thank God ! have lived TO zee On,
birth Of the republic Of Cuba II is Tn,
justification of every man In the United
States who demanded American inter
vention and who further insisted upor
the pledge Of Cuban independence
Every public man, every private citizen
every publisher, every orator, rs wei
as every soldier and sailor who fough
for the accomplishment Of the grand re
suit, can afford 10 take u just pride II
the events Of today and, AZ tho gallan
Schley said Of his naval victory of
Santiago. "Therc Is glory enough fo
all. ~