Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-08-07
The Cuban Movement.

l The Cuban Movement.
Information received by late arrivals indicates
that decisive steps have been taken by the in
haoitants of Cuba to shake off the Spanish
yoke, and that they are rising in all directions.
The accounts are still very imperfect but an
engagement has taken plsce at Neuvitas, in
which the Patriots were successful, and cap
tured several Spanish officers. 1t is said that
there now 5000 Cubans in arms and the
regiment lie daily increasing. A Spanish regi-
ment has been removed from Havana, on ac-
count of disahection.
1t would be folly at this time, to attempt to
predic, the probable consequences of this move
ment in Cuba. In short time We shall have
reliable facts. and therefore will not venture
our surmises. But we hesitate not to say that
our indignation has for years been excited BY
the gross and brutal tyranny with which Spain
has oppressed the fairest and most fruitful is.
land of our Western world. We hear of bar
barous and inhuman punishments inflicted by
order Of the Spanish authorities in Cuba al
most weekly. Every native Cuban is constant
- "o'eheu, a'iu 10 sueyeSIeu W uoiiy msuts'
Cuba is also taxed the enormous sum Of trsnty-
fire millions of dollars a year, in all possible
forms by Span, and a large portion of this
enormous levy finds its way by population to
tbs pockets of the Spanish officers, who swarm
there to enrich themselves with the public
plumber. True, reason tells US that we should
think no more of such injustic. and cruelty in
the island of Cuba, than in Spain or Austria,
but the heart will war with the head some
times We do not pretend 10 have breathed
the air that assuages all passion, and we free
ly confess that these acts of Spanish cruelty
have excited within Us feelings of the deepest
indignation. Cuba has been worse oppressed
than the American colonies and ha, the same
inherent right to relieve herself, and if neces-
sary. with a strong hand and no proclamation
or judicial construction of an anti American law
intended to prevent assistance TO the oppressed
in the work of their delverance, can deter
Americans from sympathy, or if within their
power, from rendering more efeclual aid
Their criminality in so doing will be as great
as that of Lafayette and his associates, and no
greater.
1t is unnecessary for US to say that we deep
y sympathize with any respectable organza-
tion in Cuba, which makes for its object the
throwing off of the CALLING and oppressive yoke
of Spain. Bnt at the same time, our feelings
Of sympathy will not and cannot induce us to
give any countenance or encouragement to any
wrongful expeditions from the United States.
The restraints of law are the only safeguards
of liberty for without law there can be no
liberty. The act of 1878 is clear, plain, and
that act is in full force and vigor, within the
United States, and for three miIcs-one marine
league-beyond the coast.
These expressions of earnest hope for the
deliverance of Cuba, and for the establishment
Of her independence, have no reference to any
question of her annexation to our national re-
public. We desire to see Cuba a republic, if
she desire il herself, as We do not doubt she
does. If severed from her old connection to
be reunited to any other foreign State, and
worst of all Great Britain, then the time will
have arrived for national interpositon in the
strongest form. Cuba can never be permitted
W iHSiedSo TIC haNdi POmeI VI ISHSidHu, anu
enable her to master our Southern commerce,
and obtain the entire supremacy of the Gul: of
Mexico. But Cuba, as a nation, discovered
from all foreign connections-free and indie
pendent, will want both the power and the dis
position to do US harm No European nation
but Spain can object to her independence, how
ever much it might to her annexation to the
United States. The future fate of Cuba. when
once delivered, will rest not with us but with
herself; and it is not for us to anticipate her
movements in the contingency OF her success
Such calculations are aside from the occasion :;
and the desires of the people of every section
of the country will now go forth in tones of
earnest encouragement to the struggling pat
riots that with the blessing of heaven, they
may acquit themselves manfully. and prove
themselves worthy the gift to which they
pire.