Year: 1869

The movement in favor of Cuba begins to
assume a practical and important character.
A number of the most prominent gentlemen Of
New York have called meeting of our citi-
zens at Steinway Hall tonight to give express
sion to their views with regard to the state OF
affairs in Cuba. These gentlemen, who are
among the most influential in the country, say
in their call: 'sWe are fully satisfied that the
present struggle OF the Cubans for indepen-
dence is based upon principles OF eternal JUS
tce; that the revolution which began five
months ago has been growing in power ever
since, and now includes the great body of the
Cuban people, who are giving their money and
blood freely for the attainment Of indepen-
dence. We would in public and formal way
express our sympathy for people living on
our very border and almost a part of us, who
are pledging their fortunes and lives to obtain
rights unjustly withheld from them"


These sentiments will meet with hearty
response both in New York and every section
of the republic. and no doubt there will be
such mass meeting tonight of our citizens,
including those most conspicuous for influence,
intellect and wealth, as viii give impulse to
general movement throughout the country in
support of the Cubans. 1t ought to spread far and
wide, and from one end of the republic to the
other, and that rapidly, too, as the fire on the
prairie spreads; for the bloody and savage char
acter of the war which Spain is carrying on
against the revolutionary patriots calls for
prompt sympathy and aid to the Cubans. These
people are Americans, are our near neighbors,
are identified with us in feeling, principle and
trade and ought to belong to the republican
system of this Continent. 1t would be dis
grace, an everlasting stain upon this great
republic if we were not to protest against
Spanish tyranny and cruelty and give all the
aid possible to the brave people who are fight
ing for independence. But there is reason to
believe the Cubans will receive the sympathy


and aid of republican America, and the meet
| ing tonight gives assurance of that


| We will not anticipate the eloquent argu-
ments of such orators as Henry Ward Beecher
and others who will speak at the meeting on
the subject of Spanish tyranny, the heroism of
the Cubans and the justice of their cause, but
will briefly advert to the duty Of our govern
ment on the question. There is no doubt that
President Grant and Congress sympathize
| with the Cubans and desire their independence.
There may be, however, some hesitation as to


taking any decided action at present in con-
| ceding belligerent rights to or recognizing the
I independence Of Cuba. Questions of an in


ternational character and difficulties surround
ing the Alabama claims may have weight in


deterring the government from immediate
action. Still we hope not. There is no par


allel between the recognition Of the Southern
rebels as belligerents by the European Powers
and the recognition of the Cubans as such or
| Of their independence by our government.


The cases are entirely different Then the


long standing policy Of the United States en-


bodied in what is known as the Monroe doc
trine, is q perpetual protest against European


government on this Continent. And though


we may not go so far as to force these Euro


pean governments from America, where they


have held possession all along, it would be in


keeping with this well established national


policy to seize every reasonable opportunity
to bring about the emancipation of every


part of America from European rule.


That opportunity occurs now, as far
as Cuba is concerned. We owe moth


ing to Spain or other Powers Of Europe.


Several of them stepped out of their way to
break up republican government here and to
destroy the United States. II is o duty we
owe to ourselves and a question Of high


national policy TO spread and strengthen re-


publican institutions throughout America.


Spain and the other Powers Of Europe could


have no just ground Of complaint and would
be too wise to come in conflict with the United


States should we recognize the Cubans as


belligerents or independent tomorrow. 1t Is,


as we said. question of high national policy,


and our government should take the bull by


Europe act in this way? Did not Prussia put
her grip on the German States when she had
great policy to carry out? Do not France,
England, Russia and the rest do the same !?


We hope our government will lift itself up to
the magnitude of great national interests and
! policy in the case Of Cuba. The Cubans have


been fighting five months and gaining ground
all the time. The desire for independence is


universal among them. Is 1t not time, then,


that both the people and government Of the


United States should aid Cuba and prevent


the ruin Of the island, prolonged war and the


bloody horrors which threaten the people?


COLLECTOR OF THE Pogr OF New YORK.


Mr.. Moses II. Grinnell, the well known mer-


chant and gentleman Of excellent reputa-


ton, has been nominated by President Grant


for the post Of Collector Of the Port Of New


York. The varied and extensive commercial
and government interests which are directly


affected by a faithful or dishonest discharge Of
the duties OF this Office render Il in every way