The Minnesotian. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1851-1852, 1851-10-08

tiles of his position for the former. Dis
gust and Indignation were the first fruits ];
resolution to be the liberator Of Cuba the
next. The repulse of the Cuban deputies
from their seats in the Cortes-a Cortes
existing by virtue of a constitution which
gave 10 those deputies the same rights
with those whose votes repulscd them
had already awakened deep feeling OF
resentment in his breast as in that Of all
his Cuban compatriots. Though soldier
from childhood, he had never had other
than American heart, and he soon learned
to regard with self-reproach his own glo-
ry acquired the Spanish service, and to
despise the glitter Of his own uniform as
mere livery, no more honorable in his
eyes than that which bcdizened rich
mans negro calesero in his own country.
Such thoughts in the breast Of a man,
so honest in conviction, so resolute in will,
and SO fearless in execution, was no bar
rem sentiment, and he deliberately deter
mined to devote the rest of his life to the
liberation of his country, and the recovery
of his own dignity-measuring the latter
by a far higher standard than the vulgar
one of rank, military distinction, power,
or court favor. Resigning his seat as a
Senator, he insisted with Espartero on
being allowed to return TO Havana par
mission which he did not obtain without
extreme difficulty, nor until after long re-
sistance on the part Of the Regent, it be-
ing contrary to the jealous policy Of Spain,
in the government of her rich colony, the
Queen Of the Antilles, to allow an Amer
lean born officer of rank, of Importance,
togo there. An intimate friendship with
Espartero, the noble head OF the liberal
or progressist party in Spain, alone made
practicable the importantly with which
Gen. Lopez insisted on his demand which
he even enforced by making it the alter
native to a resignation. of his commission
and it cannot be denied that his own de-
termined purpose in going, and the con-
sequences which have resulted from it,
prove clearly enough the policy of that
rule, on the part of the Spanish govern
ment, to which he thus succeeded in caus-
ing himself to be made the fatal eXcep-
ton.
1t may be added that the Lopez's secret
wishes and views early adopted, have
made him an object Of at least SO much
eral years before, by a proceeding emana-
ting from Havana, and from Tacon, then
Captain General, he had been subjected
to a formal trial on charge of cons pirine
for the independence of that colony, and
of having, at a dinner. proposed as toast
a sentiment TO that effect. He succeeded,
however, in battling his enemies, and was
acquitted.
1t was, we believe, in 1889, that he re-
turned to Cuba. During the period of
the Captain Generalship of Valdez, hon
or, friendship, and gratitude combined tc
require him TO postpone any steps to-
wards the accomplishment of that great
purpose, which never slept within his
breast. The downfall of Espartcro, and
the restoration of Maria Christiana to the
power, supported by Narvaez and the ar
my, by causing the recall Of the virtuous
Valdez, (who was succeeded by O'Don-
nell, the predecessor of Roncali, } releas-
ed him from the personal obligations BY
which at first he had felt himself fettcred
and his friends i'll Havana were surprised
at the evident content and cheerfulness
with which he received a chance of par
ties, necessarily deprivlng him of tho
posts which he held in the military gov
eminent of the island. Under Valdez he
was Governor Of Trinidad and Comman-
der-in-Chief of the Central Department,
as well as President of the Military Com
mission. He gladly laid down these
posts OH the arrival Of the period of op-
portunity and freedom, for which he had
impatiently waited; and creating pre-
text for returning TO the Central Depart
ment, in retirement, { retaining, of course
his position and rank as general, though
not on duty, } by undertaking the working
of an abandoned copper mine, he devoteJ
himself mainly to his object of organizing
preparations for his intended rising of the
people against their oppressors- an Oh.
iect which. it is scarcely needed to say
required extreme caution and tact, as well
as boldness, though he believed that the
general sentiment Of the people was al
ready strongly disposed 10 a movement
for independence. With this view he
exerted himself inmany ways to establish
a personal popularity and personal rela-
tions, as extensively as possible, with the
country people Of all the surrounding re
gion, the gugiros, every one OF whom is
more accustomed to the saddle than to any
other seat, SO that they may be called a
population of cavalry, whom very little
training, under the inspiration of such .
a leader, would make mounted force in
ferior to none in the world. He employ
ed every mode in his power to make
himself personally familiar with them, to
win their confidence, and to attach them
by services and favors-an operation in
which, always lavish and careless of mo-
ney, he spent with an unreserved hand
Mingling thus Familiarity among the
guajiros, in their own customs, and, as
one Of themselves, he thus prepared them
to be in readiness for the approaching
Al