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a long time, that·the habit of servitude has come to be second nature to them. Arbitrary and diabolical governm~nts never fail to produce this effect or consequence. 'l'hey keep on destroying the manly ener- gies of the people, until they come to a stop and to such a great state of discouragement and degradation, that they lose all capacity for com- prehending their rights and avenging their wrongs.- It may be that such is the actual condition of the Cubans.- In fact, they have not, nor have they ever had in all the course of their life the least idea of what liberty is; and evidently it is necessary that a people have some enlightenment arid much virtue before they can start a Revolution, and lead it to a happy conclusion. The desire for liberty and the capacity for attaining it and main- taining it are lwo things very distinct. A sad proof of this truth is found in the French Revolution. If Cuba wishes to be free, it must first give up many things which today it loves like life itself, and discard all its superstitions, and ancient and foolish prejudices, which have for a series of uninterrupted centuries impeded its progress and made it the object of scorn and ridicule in the eyes of their more en- lightened neighbors. Indeed it will have to study the institutions of other nations and take advantage of the wits of the wise. Until it can ac'complish this, it will never be able to get out of the deplorable situation in which it finds itself today.- During the Revolutions of 1Iexico and South America these two nations manifested willingness to lend aid to Cuba in throwing off the yoke of Spain which was not carried into effect because of the opposition of the United States whose conduct on that occasion does not admit of any excuse. Although this government was the first in acknowledging the Independence of the above said nations, nevertheless, it hindered Cuba fro'm attaining its own independence. And that gov- ernment, although Cuba is ready to do the same thing again, is still opposed to the liberty of that unfortunate Island; having its eyes fixed on General Lopez; observing all his movements and watching and strain- ing every point to catch him and cause him to be sacrificed to the vengeance of Spain. Conduct so repugnant to reason and so cruel to a down-trodden neighbor, deserves to be reproved by all virtuous souls. If it should be permitted to me to offer counsel concerning the hand that the United States ought to take with respect to Cuba, I would say that its best policy would be to acquire that Island without delay, either by purchase or by conquest. The security of its commerce de- pends on the possession of it. Without it, it cannot control the Gulf of J\Iexico, nor protect itself against rival nations in time of war. It would be likewise a fortunate thing for the Cubans. They would be free and could commence immediately a career of moral and intellecfoal advancement, and improve so that in a brief space they would place them on a level with the other States of the American Union. For these and other reasons no less cogent, I would advise the Government of the United States to obtain that Island without delay, buying it, if it may be possible; if not taking it by force. It should not take it without recompense. A just and reasonable equivalent should be given for it, provided that Spain wishes to sell it; but if the latter, because of obstinacy, will not dispose of it on any terms, then the former have the right of taking possession of it by any means whatsoever as a meas-
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