PAPERS OF MIRABEAU BuoNAPARTE LAMAR 321 puting their authority and resisting them in anything. Those who lick the foot that tramples them cannot boast of having very high ideas of liberty. · And now, my friend, do you not see in these inconsistencies or in similar . irrational ronduct on the part of your fellow-citizens their total inaptitude for a free government, and the impossibility of incit- ing them to the vindication of their violated rights? The fact that they are too blind to see their real situation, tied [as they are] like tame oxen to the cart of the religious despot, "it is the best proof of their total incapacity to create a revolution and gain their liberty by means of arms." Would you, perchance, compel them to be free, whether they want to be free or not? This is impossible also. Where light is lacking, force is vain. You cannot do good to those who do not want to re- ceive it, nor is it possible for liberty to be conferred upon a nation whose population lacks the spirit and courage to strike the first blow for it. I repeat that I have not the slightest hope that the people of Cuba will support and sustain you in your undertaking and labor, to better their condition and promote their happiness, and it is to be feared that you will learn, when it is too late, that you have under- taken a task that cannot be accomplished except by time and intel- lectual development.. It is to be hoped that finally truth will van- quish this cloud, and that the day is not distant in which the inhab- itants of Cuba will come to reason and glimpse the truth. I do not want you to believe that I am destitute of sympathy and friendship for the Cubans. On the contrary. There is no one more prompt and disposed than I to do anything that is lawful and within the limits of possibility to promote their well being, and when they wish to have their independence proclaimed and unsheath the sword in defense of their rights, I shall be ready at the first notice to draw mine also, and I hope to find mys!=llf among the first on the battlefield. Nevertheless, I believe, as I have indicated, that unless they do some- thing for themselves by taking some measures for their own alleviation, all of your efforts in favor of them would be futile, if not worse than futile. Where ignorance thrives there can be no liberty, nor can it live for very long even where there is enlightenment without the help of virtue. The life of liberty is in wisdom, purity of habits, courage, and the union of the people. These are its soul and support. Does this beautiful state of affairs exist in that downtrodden Island? With- out the least doubt I reply no. Well, Sir, on what foundation are your hopes for a happy outcome of your solicitude and your untiring labors based? I do not wish to blame you for them. My purpose is none other than to convince you that you are not taking the best route to accomplish your noble end. In the majority of cases, and, according to the ordinary course of events, nations situated like Cuba will have to do many things before- hand and preparatory to the reception of liberty. Many reforms are requisite to its acquisition, and in all of them there is none as difficult to effect as that which concerns religion. This is still indispensably required. Before a people, debased by superstition and humbled by tyranny, can shake off the yoke of their oppressors and establish them- selves as a free and independent nation, they will have to abjure all pre-
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