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 FREE CUBA. 
 
 ♦♦Charters of Liberty are always Written in the Blood of 
 
 Heroes." 
 
 SPEECH 
 
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 EON. WILLIAM 0. ARNOLD, 
 
 of pennsylvania, 
 In the House of Eepeesentatives, 
 
 Thursday, March 24, ISOS. 
 
 The House being in Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union, and 
 having iiuder consideration the bill (H. R. 9378) making appropriations tor the 
 naval service for the fiscal year 1898-'99 — 
 
 Mr. ARNOLD said: 
 
 Mr. Chairman: We stand to-day on the verge of an armel con- 
 flict, and it were well that our actions be justified by the facts 
 and approved by honorable men everywhere. It is clear that the 
 Maine was in a supposedly friendly harbor, and was anchored in 
 a particular spot by direction of the Spanish authorities. (.>ur 
 naval court of inquiry, composed of men of unsullied honor and 
 sterling integrity, it is believed, found that the vessel was blown 
 up bj' some external force— a mine or torpedo. 
 
 As to what particular persons were the active agents we may 
 not be informed directly, but we do know that the only party in- 
 terested, and the only party which hates the United States and 
 v,-]iich was in a position to accomplish the cowardly and infamous 
 act. was Spain. It may not have been officially directed, but the 
 responsibility still exists. Without such direction there is such 
 negligence as would make the party, in criminal law. guilty of 
 manslaughter in a similar occurrence as between citizens of a 
 State. To my mind there is moral and legal responsibility rest- 
 ing upon Spain. Assuming all this to be true— and I l.elieve it to 
 be true — what should be our demands in way of re])arationV In 
 this connection. I desire to refer to the suggestion of some un- 
 American citizens, that the controversy be settled by arbitration. 
 
 I submit. Mr. Chairman, this can not be done with honor. We 
 have not only lost the Maine, which in money can be estimated, 
 but there were ushered into eternity without a moment's warn- 
 ing 266 American sailors, whose lives were dear to them and dear 
 to us. and this can not be estimated or measured. Shall we make 
 merchandise of the lives of our people? Can money purchase 
 human life? Is gold dearer to us than the blood of patriots? No, 
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 n 0^°' ■^"*^ there can not be and must not be any arbitration. 
 ^ "^ [Applause.] Our honor is at stake and our flag insulted. If I 
 V'* in.«ult any gentleman in this House, should there be arbitration to 
 decide an"d inform that gentleman whether or not he has been in- 
 ^* suited'.' Again, any agreement to arbitrate is an infamous reflec- 
 tion on the hoTior and integrity of the gentlemen who composed 
 our court of iniiuiry. 
 
 You may then say that my views would necessarily lead to war. 
 In connection with other facts which I will refer to. relative to 
 Cuba. 1 unhesitatingly say. yes. war. with all that it implies, un- 
 less full damage.sV)e immediately paid and the complete independ- 
 ence of ( "uba be at once obtained. War is the incarnation of an 
 awful tragedy, but a greater tragedy was enacted when 260 brave 
 American sailors went down to their death through the infamy 
 and trsachery of Spain or of some of her subjects. We all love 
 peace, and it is dear to us. but may it never again be said of this 
 great nation that we will purchase peace at the price of honor. 
 [Applause. J 
 
 As to our recognition of belligerent rights or the independence of 
 Cuba. I conhdently assert we have both a moral and legal right so 
 to do. International law materially differs from constitutional or 
 statute law. First, it is not univers:il. and is not binding in law 
 or con.science upon any except those nations which have so agreed. 
 In fact, so-called international law is not law in its true sense, 
 but is in the nature of a contract or compact or agreement by 
 common consent. These principles, or rather agreements, are 
 Tery broad and general in character, and no positive or inflexible 
 rule of action is prescribed. 
 
 The result or effect is that each particular case must be deter- 
 mined by the circtamstances. surroundings, and facts of that case. 
 But as to our interference in Cuba we have authority and prece- 
 dents. Grotius says: 
 
 The same justice which binds the individual as an individual must bind 
 him as a state member. The law of nature which i)enetrates the individual 
 conscience must guide the national conduct. Justice is approved of and in- 
 justice condemned by the consent of all good men in every relation of life. 
 
 D'Aubigne says: 
 
 There is a God in history. There is a moral power abroad whose dictates 
 neither statesman nor nation cun afford to despise. 
 
 Maine on International Law says: 
 
 This (Roman) .ius gentium is identical with natural law, and this is, in 
 truth, the highest law by which individuals and nations can be governed: 
 highest in the alisolute perfection of the rules which it contains: highest in 
 the cogency of the commands which it utters, and highest in the absolute 
 obligation of the duties which it enforces. 
 
 Let US now refer to precedents: In 1849 the United States early 
 and promptly— being the first so to do— recoanized the independ- 
 ence of far-off Hungary. In LS-,'.") England 'recognized the inde- 
 pendence of the revolted South American colonies of Spain, "be- 
 cau.se of sympathias. united with English commercial interests." 
 The United States had several years earlier— in 1822— recognized 
 the indt'ppndt-nce of these same South American republics. In 
 1802 P^ngland instructed its representative in Paris as follows: 
 
 You will state most distinctly His Majesty's determination never to forego 
 his right of interfering in the affairs of the Continent on every occasion in 
 whi.li the interests of hw own dominions may appear to him to require it. 
 1 his riiriit His Majesty possesses in common with every other independent 
 power. It rests upon general principles. 
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 ^ * It was in this same spirit and on the same principle that the 
 / British ministry defended the hombardment of Copenhagen and 
 . the seizure of the neutral Danish Heet. 
 ^ Another precedent, interesting and pertinent at this time, was 
 the prompt recognition by Spain, in Juno, I.SCI, of the independ- 
 ence of the Confederate States in our own land. But it is unnec- 
 essary to multiply authority and precedents. The millions spent 
 by our country in preventing filibustering expeditions to Cuba 
 the loss of tens of milhons in commerce, the illegal and revolting 
 imprisonment by Spain of American residents in Cuba, these and 
 many other good reasons dianand immediate action, whicli has 
 been too long, much too long, delayed. The (luestion will never 
 be settled until it is settled right. 
 
 But throwing aside all precedents and all injuries, and not even 
 considering the Maine disaster, there is a law greater and higher 
 and nobler than any and all international law, the law of com- 
 mon humanity, which not only justifies but demands immediate 
 action at our hands. More than 400,000 innocent and peaceful 
 men, women, and children deliberately starved to death within 
 the last two years, and hundreds, if not thousands, now dying by 
 starvation daily, almost within sight of our shores. 
 
 Intensely and sadly interesting as is Senator Proctor's and 
 Senator Gallinger"s portrayal of the sad scene, and though we 
 have had full knowledge of the awful crime, no hand has been 
 lifted to save. 1 have confidence in our present Chief Magistrate. 
 I hope ana believe he will measure up not only to his full duty 
 a but his opportunities. Washington, because of his labors in the 
 
 cause of liberty, will live through all time. Lincoln, in the cour- 
 age; gentleness, and firmness of his great heart, through the 
 emancipation proclamation, will be honored through all the 
 countless ages yet to come. 
 
 And to our present Chief Magistrate there has come an opportu- 
 nity seldom vouchsafed to man to build for himself, in the cause 
 of humanity and freedom, a monument which all the assaults of 
 all time can not destroy, and leave to posterity a glorious name, 
 which will be revered by all men and which will be an inspiration 
 to all in future ages who shall battle for their liberties. [Applause.] 
 The blood of these murdered people is on the hands of our nation 
 to-day. The whole question has resolved itself into one of anni- 
 hilation or independence. It has been well demonstrated that 
 Spain can not conquer: so she has been pursuing the policy of 
 annihilation by starvation. Simple and common humanitv should 
 now move us to duty too long delayed. Let us do right,' though 
 war result, as it probably will. The history of the world, from 
 the slavery of the Israelites under Pharaoh down to this hour, 
 shows that charters of liberty are always written in the blood of 
 heroes. 
 
 There can be no peace for Cuba, and we as a nation will ever be 
 annoyed and troubled, until absolute independence is an accom- 
 plished fact. Independence is no new thing to the world at large 
 or to ourselves as a nation. Autonomy for Cuba by Spain is a de- 
 lusion, a snare, and a failure. Many centuries ago autonomy was 
 a fascinating word to Hellenic ears, but it only paved the way to 
 Hellenic subjection, and Greece perished. 
 
 In this emergency Providence points the way, duty bids us move 
 on in the pathway of progressive civilization, humanity demands 
 that we march resolutely forward, and justice insists that we punish 
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 dei-eit. perfidy, treachery, cruelty, tyranny, and savagery, which 
 are the i)redominaiit traits of Spanish cliaracter. I p\it this state- 
 ment against that made by General Blanco in Habana a few 
 days ago: 
 
 Th.' v)resent Reueratlon will never see another banner than that of Spain 
 at tb«* entrance to the (4ulf of Mexico. That Imnner, representing civiliza- 
 tion, progres-s, lil^rty. humanity, and relit^iun, will be eternal. 
 
 How matcliless the irony; how infamous the falsehood! 
 
 In the si)leudid progress and civilisation of the last four cen- 
 turies by the great nations "f the worlil. Spain hius not taken one 
 single step forward, and sh'> to day belongs to the age of barbar- 
 ism. Slie deserves no place and should not have a place on the 
 map of the world. Compared with her treatment of Cubans, the 
 Turkish massiicres of the Armenians were humane. 
 
 It has been said that our intervention may cause foreign com- 
 plications. This should not deter us from our plain duty: but 
 there is no such danger: any foreign interference would be met 
 by the two great English-speaking people of the world. I would 
 not favor "entangling alliances." biat 1 would not refuse the 
 active kindne.ss of plate mic, if not maternal, friendship. In this 
 connection I am remmded of the statement of a prominent Sjjan- 
 jard. a few days ago. that if wel)ecame involved with Spain, there 
 was great danger of a revolt against our Government by the late 
 Confederate States. What gross ignorance; what an infamous 
 slander. Tis true the South suffered much at the hands of the 
 North dunng our late strife. Very many of her best and bravest 
 went down to their death: beautiful homes were ruined and deso- 
 late: sorrow and lies] lair seemed their only heritage. But. withal, 
 honor, courage, and determination were .still theirs, and with these 
 as part and panel of ideal manhood, a new South has sprung up, 
 and joining hands with their brethren of the North we are all 
 moving onward and upward to attain to the highest jiossibilities 
 of this our nation — one God, one tlag, one country, one destiny. 
 
 And if that flag is ever assailed 1 know that no hand wi!! be 
 (piii'ker than tiiat of the South to strike down the assailant, and 
 none will more earnestly and (piickly respond to defend the honor 
 and glory of this United States. 
 
 I will not detain the House longer, excejjt to urge the duty of 
 the hour. That duty is independence and intervention. In the 
 name of the Christ, let us b« humane: in the name of humanity, 
 let us be just: in the name of justice, let us do right; and being 
 t us dare maintain it. | Loud applause.J 
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