Year: 1870




ground we took some days ago. In advance
OF all our contemporaries we pronounced the
Cuban revolution failure. In many quarters
where the surprise was felt the course we took
was condemned; but to-day the views Of the
HERALD are universally accepted as just. 1t
was our hope and belief at one time that the
Cuban insurgents would prove true to them
selves, and that the cause was 80 good that
they could not fail to win. We lent them our
powerful help; but facts convince us that In
the whole history Of revolutions the Cuban
insurgents have proved the feeblest and least
effective Of all revolutionists. They have
had their time, their chance, their opportu-
nifty; but in spite Of all these, and with all the
help they have received, they have bungled and
failed. Our reports a few days ago proved
this. The reports Of Consul General Plumb,
the burden Of which we gave in the HERALD OF
yesterday, amply justify US in the course we
felt compelled to adopt. Mr.. Plumb is an I'M
partial judge He was Cuban sympathizer
He was opposed to Spain. So much was this
the case that Seior Roberts, the Spanish Min
lister at Washington, felt it to be his duty to
protest against the appointment of Mr.. Plumb
as consular agent Of the United States in Cuba.
But, strange to say, this friend Of Cuba, this
enemy Of Spain, has been compelled to admit
that he was deceived, and that really
there is no cause for United States
interference, and for this simple reason, that
rebellion in Cuba Is name, not fact A few
wandering guerillas, without munitions Of war,
without food, without home, are not strong
enough to justify the American people in say
ing that they can or ought now to be recog-
nized as belligerents. a


AT the same time we must reterate what we
said some days ago, that for all this the
Cubans are themselves to blame primarily and
the American government secondarily. On
the Cuban bungle we will not dwell. On the
bungling Of our administration we cannot
dwell at sufficient length. If action had been
taken by our government when the affair was
ripe, when Cubans were filed with enthu-
siasm, and when Spain was on the point Of
giving up the struggle we should have had
no trouble in the matter. 1t would all have
been settled, and this settlement would have
been easy. 1t seems, however, that so far as
the American government were concerned
common sense and pluck perished with Secre-
tary Rawlins. Poor dying Rawlins saw what
should be done. He spoke what he felt.
Early in September he was present at
Cabinet meeting At this Cabinet meeting,
mainly in consequence Of his advice, it was
agreed that proclamation should be issued
on the 3Ist of September recognizing Cuba as
a belligerent Power. Between the Cabinet
meeting and the 31st RawIins was no more.
His manly policy died with him. The pro-
clamation was never made. Cuba was de-
ceived. Spain was permitted to remain
master Of the situation. Roberts at Washing
ton and Sickles at Madrid were, in all likeli-
hood the one as much as the other, put to
their wits end. Roberts, however, has been
amply satisfed things have gone On very
much to his satisfaction, but poor Sickles
must have been for some months past finding
it difficult to know what to do No one, how
ever, can blame Sickles. He has done his
best. His best has been fairly good, and if 1t





the situation the blame rests with the admins
tration rather than with him. Sickles has had
to contend with two dificulties-a government
that was not government and an administra-
tion that did not know its mind.


Meanwhile we have only to reiterate what
we have said before We cannot recognize
Cuba as belligerent power. We cannot, be-
cause there is no belligerency. But we have
our duties, and we must not ignore them. The
insurrection in Cuba has been crushed mainly
through our influence. Cuba, however, will
remain as dissatisfied as ever She will
never submit to Spain. A new class of ideas
have got abroad among the people. Their
opinions are changed. They are sick of un-
certainty. They would like to be independent,
but above all things they long for strong gov
ernment. The men who own large estates and
the people who earn their daily bread are
equally in agony. The island, the most
beautiful and most fertile island in the world,
is being ruined Life is being sacrificed, fields
are being wasted. We could, we still can,
prevent both, but we do not. IF suffering still
exists in Cuba the fault is not that of the
American people. Their sympathies have
never changed. They are as much
with the Cubans to-day as they were
six months ago. Witness the action taken
by the Senate of the United States yesterday.
To-day Senator Morton speaks on the general
question. We have no doubt that he will express
the sentiments Of the great body Of our people;
butto-day, as yesterday, facts must be accepted.
We are responsible for the continuance of
bloodshed and for the waste Of property; but
our responsibility means now--no more, no
less-that we should buy the island. Let
us force on the purchase. We cannot wait
upon Spain. Let US make an offer and push
IT, If the present rulers of Spain cannot act
for the Spanish people that is Spain's misfor-
tune. We cannot help it. If Spain will not