Rensselaer Union, Volume 2, Number 5, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 October 1869 — Cuba. [ARTICLE]

Cuba.

We notice that several of our exchanges, and among them the Indianapolis Journal , complain of the policy of this government towards Cuba. About one year sgo, Mr. Cespedes, a wealthy Cuban, manumitted and armed his slaves, nud started a rebellion against the government of tbe island, and proclaimed Cuba independent of Spain. The iusurrection has spread so that tbe insurgents now hold considerably more than half of the central and inland parts of the couutry, but have yet got possession of no sea coast city. Cespedes has a junta at Washington, to manage his interests in this country, and has emmisaries also in other places.

Under the circumstances President Grant has not thought proper to eoncede belligerent rights or acknowledge the independence of the Cespedes government Individuals aud parties in the United States have been busy raising recruits for Cespedes aud complain that tike President, through his Secretary of State, Mr. Fish, enforces the law agaiust such expeditions. All well know that for years past there has been a culpable neglect on the part of our officials to enforce our laws. During Mr. Johnson's maladministration, all rogues did with impunity whatever they chose. Itwas the promise of the republican party in the last Presidential canvass and embodied in General Grant's inaugural, that the laws of the land whatever they might be, should 4 be enforced, so that those laws which proved to be wrong in practice could be amended or repealed, and those which were proper and good should be respected. This is pre. cisely what is being done. At the proper time, if the Cespedes government is able to mantain its independence, it will be acknowledged by the United Btates. But it looks like a peculiar wrinkle of statesmanship, if we are to be compelled to acknowledge tbe independence of a handful of insurgents, and then be compelled to go to war to defend and protect them. Good faith towards all nations and our own self respect forbid such a course. If with strict impartiality from other states, and with the resources which the insurgent* can command, Cuba can cope with Spain, of course events will show it. Success is the test of sufficiency, the evidence of ability. If it is our objeot to annex Cuba or Canada to this Union, let us doit —we are able —bat let us do it openly. There is no need of stealing these countries. 1 . —There —is —no doubt President Grant, with hi* able counsellors, will act efficiently and honorably,™ Nona of the interest* of the United | State* will be neglected. No man will bave cause to bang hi* head in shame for any conduct of theirs.