John Harrison Wilson, The life of Charles Henry Dana

In 1883 Dana visited Mexico with a small party of intimate friends, and not only saw much of the country, but made the acquaintance of the president, Gonzales, and many leading men. Later he travelled extensively in Cuba, and, having become proficient in the Spanish language in early life, it was easy for him to acquire an exact and extensive knowledge of Cuban history, resources, literature, and system of government, and to express his sympathy with the political hopes and aspirations of the Cuban people. Many of his best friends were Cubans, and throughout both of their revolutions against the mother-country — that of 1868-74, as well as that of 1895-he was the firm and devoted friend and advocate of Cuban independence.

At the very outbreak of the last revolt against Spanish misrule, he gave his hearty encouragement through the columns of the Sun:

To the brave men in arms for the independence and the liberties of Cuba, to the patriots who would give their country a Democratic-Republican government in the place of royalty, to the liberators who defy the power of Spain upon the battle-field, we send greetings!

The American Republic watches them in hope and sympathizes with them. The seventeen republics of the three Americas desire their success.

Let foreign domination upon this side of the Atlantic be brought to an end forever. America for Americans!

And thus it was ever with this patriotic editor. He was the friend and supporter of the oppressed and downtrodden of every race and country. The misgoverned and overtaxed colonists, not less than those who suffered wrong at home, counted with absolute certainty upon Dana's sympathy and support. He had been the friend of Kossuth, of Mazzini, and of Garibaldi. He had pleaded in