The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1851-07-28
~ - From the New Orleans Delta.
DECLARATION or LvDEPENDENCE
OF THR
Citizens Of Puerto Principos

. sI.- " .
TO tie InAssitants Of Cuba. and to ali Fvssmss:
Every people possesses the inaliensble right of
changing the form Of Government BY which il is
ruled, whenever its interests, its honor, and its
safety require such chsnge; since il 10 only for
its advantage that il has delegated it, powers 10
certain detcrminate persons.
Government which is standing conspiracy
against the governed, loses its Vitality and becomes
despotism intolerable to rationsl men. In such
case the sovereignty reverts, Of right to the centre
whence il emanated to be again remodeled into
such form may best suit the wants and cir
cumstances Of those 10 whom that sovereignty
appertains. AZ
The people Of Cuba present strong, perhaps
the strongest Of all possible cases. for the applics-
tion Of these sacred principles, inasmuch ss the
colonial despotism of Spain over this island 10
unequaled in the history Of nations. Wherefore,
resuming our outraged rights, we have, this day,
determined to throw off the shackes Of our tyEants,
and to raise the bright standard Of freedom TO lead
to victory, with the unalterable purpose Of rais-
ing ourselves to the rank Of free people, or Of
meeting on the field Of battle glorious death, pre-
ferab!e, thousand times, to the degrading slavery
which is now our lot. - ~ sf41
But, as 4 revolution is always attended by sacri-
fees, calamities, and disasters it il incumbent on
us-in addition to the self evident axiom set forth
in the commencement Of this solemn declaration
to expose the just causes which have impelled rs
to assume the position which we now occupy.
The world must know the grievous injustice,
and arbitrary vexatons, which the Spanish Gov
eminent has exercised, and does now exercise to-
wards the miserable inhabitants of Cuba-injustice
and oppression Of such magnitude, that the suffer-
ings OF any Other people, compared with ours, are
but a. . shadow.to reality.
The Spanish Government has deprived Us of all
political rights, maintaining in state Of colonial
pupilsge, Notwithstanding thpt our population,
wealth and other crcumstancea render US superior
to the greater part Of her tmbulent, poor and
ignorant provinces. The nstural consequsnce oi
this usurpation il, that she imposes upon us the
heaviest contributions, against eur will and con.
sent, (which alone could render them legitimate)
and which, whilst they impoverish the country, are
employed in the support Of . numerous army and
navy, in the payment Of many and useless salsried
officers and in keeping up the luxury Of corrupt
The Spanish Government does in effect pro.
hibit us from embracing either the ecclesisstica
or civil professions, because education instead ,o
being gratuitous, 10 rendered so costly that the
rich alone-who in general are absorbed in the
management OF their estates-can participate
therein. Such a system has been evidently
framed for the purpose Of keeping US in ignorance
in order that despotism may reign triumphant
The Spanish Government, 70 far from encour
aging the cultivation Of the mechanical arts, hal
constantly induced persons Of color to apply them.
selves thereto, with the SOLE diabolical, and ayow
ed object Of preventing the Cubans from dsdicat
ing themselves to those useful and honorable pur
suits. 1t has looked to our ideness and ignorance
fostefed by her heartless policy, - the sures
means Of uniting us for the assertion ofour right
a'ffesmen, and the performance Of our duties q
men. Al
This same Government bestows upon the native
Of the Peninsnls al the Offices and places Of emo
lument or honor, without any regard to merit; IN,
faithful to its peFnicious maxims, it has provide,
no law for the Cuban but the ever.changing vii
Of the Captain General Of the Island E
No. X. r.. -.
property for, besides the notorious Partially q
the Government, always exercised against tn
native Cubans, the criminal laws have fallen int
disuses and most Of the civil laws, through tn
progress Of the age, have become inapplieable.
The Spanish Government contrary to the plain
est principles of sound legislation and Of humanity
and as if the Island Of Cuba were constantly I
exceptonable circumstances-has for years pas
established and maintained in our midst an execu
tive and permanent military commission, which, i
utter contempt Of individual liberty, without proc
and often without just cause Of suspicion, an
solely upon the bidding of the Captain Genera
delivers the unfortunate Cuban to an ignominiou
death upon the scaffold, confseates his property
or sends him into exile.
As a necessary Consequence of the odious tyrau
ny otthe Spanish Government, the liberty ofspeec
Sna Of the press }: prohibited, and rigid csnsol
snp vents the defence of the peoples rights an
sns development Of their intelligence. =
Commerce, fetiered by q mNitituds Of custou
Ioeaes: revenue officers and VIBRATIONS regulation
Instead ct expanding and extending, is notably q
sn1 aeclne and agriculture, through the SAN
Wn; as iound to be in q miserable situation
lug Iaoofer gains not enough for the payment
cAoiunsnt taxes, and is, moreover, oblieed to col
rinate 9ra,ultously his personal services in polie
nuI,ss' to the further detrime it Of his labor.
ing ,hroDsh The island, oblieine the inhsSi,sns. M
Ake out transit passport, in default Of which the
Such criminal prOcsedings- violen, ipfra,
tions o.. every risit and Of every principle, full
Siain and proclaim our indspsndsnce. which =
do, IN shs name Of The AllPowerful God, inIwhoi
:
tsd yssssqs iao1 esies' II, ~ 4.