The republic., 1851-09-11
F.om De AI9qn4 tN. I'd Rsgi.ler.

lne leader OF the Cuban INVADERS VINO has Just
paid for his temerity with the forfeit of his life,
was, at the time of his execution, little fifty
years of age, having been born in Venezuela, in
South America, in l79S or 1893. His father was
once wealthy landed proprietor and his mother,
who is still living, is woman of rare elevation OF
character combined with strength of mind. In the
struggles for South American independence his
father was stripped of nearly all his property. and
reduced to the necessity of entering into CONNER
cial business at Caracas, and. as auxiliary iis
main establishment, he established brancE ar Va
lencia, in the interior under the charge of young
Lopez. Here the latter in 1914 headed body of
citizens and soldiers in the defence OF the town
against attack of the Spanish forces. After a
resistance of three weeks, the place was obliged to
yield, and given up to pillage and massacre.
Young Lopez barely escaped with his life. After
wandering about for some time, as the only re-
source for safety, at the age of fifteen, he enlist
ed in the Spanish army, and accepted as re-
crut, and thus against his will began his military
career. The civil war was continued in his native
country with varying each side, till 1923.
During its progress Lopez distinguished himself on
the Spanish side, against the patriots by his skill,
his daring courage, and feats Of valor, and from
the ranks was excessively promoted to the posi- of
colonel Of a regiment of cavalry, and honored with
the cross OF San Fernando, of the second and most
distinguished degree, honor enjoyed by only
other person in the army with which he served
He contributed by his advice, to bring about a
treaty of peace; and, at the conclusion of hostil
tiles, invited by the patriot government to
enter it's service with the rank held by
him in the Spanish army. He declined the offer
however, and retired with the evacuating army
to Cuba, where he married and established him
salF IN, no iaIa inn
nal rank, he for political reasons remained in re-
trcment until the death of Ferdinand VII. of
Spain, when the liberal party assumed the govern
ment of that country. Maria Christina, the bold
but upprincipled queen dowager, who had caused
the king, in his lifetime by his will, to devise the
crown to her infant daughter Isabel, in disregard
of the Sale law, and to the exclusion of Don Car
los, the next male heir, then threw herself on the
liberal party for support. The royalist party pre-
pared to rise in behalf of the rights of Don Carlos
but Christina anticipated the struggle by disarm-
ing at blow the royalists throughout the kingdom
SO far practicable service in which the peo-
pie were called to the aid of the troops. Begin
ming at Madrid, 1t was at each important point
but the work of day, and by its audiences was
successful throughout the kingdom, and gave
death blow to the fortunes of the pretender
Lopez Mt this time in Madrid, having gone
there to reclaim large sum of money belonging
to the family of his wife, which had been arbitra-
rily seized by the Cuban government, and, enter
ing into the contest the side Of the Queen, head
ed bodies of the people, and greatly distinguished
himself by his valor, activity, and boldness in dis.
arming the reyalists. Having thus reappeared
upon the stage of action, he despatched to join
the army as first aid camp to the commander
in chief General Valdez. After taking an active
E..l
dered himself conspicuous by his courage and
daring, he found himself at its close promoted to
the rank of general and covered with decorations.
lie was appointed commanderin chief of the Ma
liona Guard at critical period, and at different
periods filled the post of commander-in chief of
various provinces.
On the expulsion of Christina from the regency
by popular insurrecton at Madrid, at the earnest
solicitation of the people he consented to assume
the command of the capital, as governor of the
city. In that capacity be made the most energetic
preparations for it's defence, which were rapidly
rendered unnecessary by the withdrawal OF the
queen mother 10 Paris. Though earnestly re-
quested by Espartero, on whom the government
then devolved, to retain the post Of governor of
Madrid, Lopez declined, as he did not care to act
in the repression of tumults against the same po-
puace from whom he had at first accepted it; but
consented to name his successor.
Lopez had previously been appointed senator of
the ngdom by the liberal city of Seville. He be-
came disgusted with the spirit and action of the
government in relation to its American colonies,
which he had now ample opportunity for studying,
and thus, is said, led to form the design of
liberating Cuba, the principal of them, from the
Spanish yoke. The repulse of the Cuban deputies
from the Cortes aroused his indignation. Resign
L. L
10 return to Havana, permission which he found
some difficulty in obtaining account of the eal-
Gus policy of the government. An intimate friend
ship with Espartero, however, enabled him at
length to obtain it.
He returned to Cuba about the year 1899. during
the period of the Captain Generalship of Valdez
his former general, and also his intimate friend,
and consequently postponed, for a while, the exc
cuton of the project he had conceived of iberatine
the island Under Valdez he was governor of
Trinidad, commander in chief of the Central De-
partment, and president of the military commits
sion. The downfall of EspRrtero, "a nd restoration
of Christina led TO the recall of Valdez, who was
succeeded by O'Donnell, and Lopez, released from
his obligations, gave up the posts which he held, ,
though retaining his rank and position general,
and retired to the Central Department under pre-
tence of working an abandoned copper mine; and
from that time devobed himself to preparations for
his intended rising of the people against the gov
ernment. He exerted himself to establish per-
sonal popularity, and extend his personal relations
as much as possible, and to make himself familiar
with the people, not sparing the use of money for
these objects.
Having determined, early in lS4S, that the pro-
per time had arrived for his contemplated insur-
rection, he was induced to postpone it for short
time, at the instance of his friends This DELAY led
to the discovery Of his plans, the of his par
tisans, and his sudden embarkation for the United
States, on board vessel bound to Bristol Rhode
Island. After his escape, he condemned to
death. His friends were mostly released, but some
of them sent out of the country Since his arrival
here he never ceased, in one way or another, to
pursue what has become his one idea, the over
throw Of the Spanish power in Cuba; and for tina t
purpose he has been constantly engaged in plan
ming and endeavoring to get up expeditions in this
country to aid the inhabitants of that beautiful
island in throwing off the Spanish yoke. The first
frus of his efforts the congregating last year
of band of hibusters on Round Island who were
disperecd by order of General Taylor The npxt