The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-04-16

SPANISH CLEMENcY.-Captain General Valen- |
tin Canedo has just given to Cuba, and to .
grateful world, q new illustration of the divine
quality of mercy. The fertile imagination Of
Shakespeare could never have suggested to
him the existence of such Catalan character
istic in that attribute which he makes Portia
SO beautifully describe as falling like the gen.
tie dew from heaven upon the earth beneath"
1t remained for the Captain General Of the
Island of Cuba to exhibit mercy attired in
new guise, or rather disguise-for few there are
who could recognize the benefcent features OF
that twice blessed quality, in the form in which
Mr. Canedo has presented it.
Two unfortunate Cuban gentlemen had, it
seems rendered themselves deserving OF the
attention of the Spanish officials of Cuba. as
having been connected with some scheme, or as
having INDUCED in some aspiration, for libe-
rating their country from the thraldom Of Span
ish despotism. Accusation and condemnation
followed close on the heels of arrest, and the
two persons alluded to were, with several
others, condemned to suffer death by the
garote, What the specific charges against
them were we are not informed; but it mat
tiers little since they were found guilty of the
heinous crime ofloving their country, mot wise
ly, but too WE'LL" A petition in their behalf
was got up in the city and environs of Havana,
and signed by some of the most loyal inhabi-
tants. This petition, combined with, other cir
cumstances which rendered their pardon
polite measure, had the desired effect. The
sentence of death was annulled, and the con-
demned men were to be allowed little longer
span of life, and to escape the degradation Of
having their days closed by the hands Of the
executioner. But Captain-Generl Canedo,
with refinement of barbarity only to be
looked for in such quarter. concealed his mer-
ciful intentions from the public and from the
convicts. He wished, perhaps, to test their
courage. and see whether in such cause they
could meet their end like brave men.
The evening previous to the day fixed for
the execution, their friends were excluded from
the prison. the last offices Of the church were
solemnly administered, the vile instrument Of
death was established in the public place, and
the two men were left to the horror Of their
gloomy thoughts. The morning came; but with
it came not word Of hope, not an intimation
that there was still in reserve q probability Of
pardon; and when the last moment arrived,
they were conducted to the scafold. where the
spectacle. We presume that all the usual
ceremonies were observed on the occasion; that
the ,culprits were attired in their winding
sheets, and proceeded to the gallows seated on
asses, with their heads towards the animals
tails. But still, the courage or manly bearing
of at least one of them was in no wise
affected; and it is said OF him that when the
hour of departure was announced, his only
complaint was that he was not allowed to finish
the last ten pages of novel he had been
reading
Under the scaffold Captain General Canedo
condescended, at the last moment to make
known his exalted clemency. A lancer gallop-
ed up, bearing the manifesto Of pardon, decided
on some days before. The mob were disappoint-
ed ola spectacle. and the reprieved men were
reconstructed to prison-saved from death only
to be sent to experience the pleasures Of an ex-
istence in Spanish presidiO Thus has the
representative of her most Catholic Majesty
given an illustration Of Catalan clemency,
which the civilized world will not easily for
get. and for which the Cubans may one day be
able to evince their gratitude. Noble Canedo!
Such an act could not be overlooked by us
without a due acknowledgment; and we here
proclaim to the world our sense of the humanity
and magnanimity you have thereby exhibited.
Robespierre or Sylla could hardly have sur
passed you in refined barbarity.
Talk on ,Chan0e.