Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 78, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 June 1899 — THRILLING SCENE AT HAVANA. [ARTICLE]

THRILLING SCENE AT HAVANA.

Preacher Pleaded for Forgetfulness of Spanish Oppression. Sometimes mere personal force and insistence, especially In a cause which la regarded as sacred by its champion, will in a moment overcome long-stand-ing hatred. The Cuban people have many reasons to regard the Spanish in their island with deep resentment Their ordinary feeling toward them Is one of hatred, but there are many men among them who are trying to put an end to the feeling for the sake of the future good of the Island. One advocate of reconciliation is the Rev. Dr. Frank Diaz, a missionary of the Baptist church in Cuba. He has in Havana a considerable congregation. One of the correspondents relates that on a recent evening, when 500 Cubans were assembled at his Gethsemane church, he filled them all with emotion by holding up to their gaze a Mauser rifle. “This,” he said, “is the weapon with which Spain killed so many of our people. But we forgive her, and to show our honesty of purpose, we will not use it on her people now that we have a chance. Instead, we will forget all about it, and throw this piece aside.” There were cries of “No! no!” and ‘We can never forgive!” from the excited audience; but Dr. Diaz threw the gun aside and went on to enforce his lesson, using In turn a sword and a small cannon much as he had used the Mauser rifle. Finally he held aloft an old Spanish flag, and there came instantly fierce cries and loud protests from the audience. Holding up his hand for silence until the uproar ceased, the speaker said, “And what ought we to do with this?” “Burn it! Destroy it! Stamp upon it!” shouted the audience. But Dr. Diaz shook his head. “No,” he said, “we will not burn it; we must not This is the banner of a country which was once great. Her flag is about all she has In the world now. By this flag we have been wronged, scattered, slaughtered; but it is the flag of our fathers just the same. Do not forget that. Shall we throw it away as we did the Mauser, the sword and the cannon? I say no. Let us do with this what will show that we can have pity for a fallen foe, who was once of our own people.” Thereupon the speaker folded the flag closely and placed it near his heart. “Let it remain there,” he said, quietly, while for a few moments a hush fell upon the congregation, more expressive of forgiveness than any words could have been.