The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1856-05-28
BLOOMSBURY. COLUaIBIA COUNTY, Pa WEDNESDAY,

should be so poorly developed. 1t is capa
BILE of supporting population of almost any
density, and yet the largest estimate gives
only million and half of inhabitants. On
treading the feflile soil, and on beholdine
the clustering fruits offered on all sides, the
delicious oranges, the perfumed pne-apples,
The luscious bananas, the cooling cocoanuts,
and other fruits for which our language has
no name, we are struck with the thought
of how much Providence, ard how little
man has done for the Eden Of the gulf. We
long 10 see it peopled by men who can ap-
preciate the gifts of nature, men who are
willing TO do their part in reward for her
bounty, men who will meet her half way
amp second her spontaneous efforts. No.
where on the face of The globe would intelli-
gent labor meet with asTicher reward-no-
where on the face Of The globe would repose
from labor be so sweet The hour of rest
here sinks upon the face of nature with
peculiar charm; the night breeze comes
with its gentle wing to fan the weary frame,
and no danger turks in ils career. I, has free
scope through the ungIazed windows. Beau.
tifully blue are the heavens, and festally
bright the stars of a tropical night. Pre-.
eminent in brilliancy among the constella.
tions is the southern cross, galaxy of stars
that never greets US in The nonh. At mid
night its glittering framework stands erect,
that solemn hour passed, the cross declines.
How glorious the night where such heav.
emily sentinel indicates its watches Cuba
is indeed a land of enchantment, where ra-
ture is beautiful, and where mere existence
is luxury but it requires the infusion of a
sterner, more -se4dsry.-.e.s-l--.erprisiu
race 10 fully test ITS capabilities, and 10 as.
tonish the world with its productiveness.
owe have thus dilaled upon the natural
resources of Cuba, and depicted the charms
that rest about her; but every picture has its
dark side, and the political situation of the
Island isthe reverse in the present instance.
Her wrongs are muliifanous, and the resric-
tons placed upon her by her oppressors are
each and all of so heinous and tyrannical a
character, that a chapter upon each would
be insufficient 10 place them in their true
ligh; before the world. There is, however,
no better way Of placing The grievances of
The Cubians, as emanatng from the home
government, clearly before the reader, than
by stating such Of them as occur readily to
writer's mind, in brief: She is permitted no
voice in the Cortes; iks press is under the
yiesi censorship; FARMERS are compelled 10
pay ten per cent. for all their harvest except
sugar, and on that article two and half per
cent !; the island has been under martial law
since 1926; over $4,000 900 of taxes are
levied upon the Inhabitants, 10 be squander-
ed by SPAN ice is monopoIized by the gov
ernment flour is taxed so high as 10 be in
admissible Creole must purchase license
before he can invite few friends to take a
cup Of tea at his board there is stamped
paper, made legally, necessary for special
purposes of contract, costing eight dollars for
a shesl no goods either in or out OF doors,
can be sold without license the natives of
the island are excluded entirely from the ar
my, the judiciary, the treasury, and the GUS
toms; the military government assumes the
charge of the schools; the grazing of cattle
is taxed exorbhanlly; newspapers from a.
broad, with few exceptions, are contraband !;
letters passing through the post are opened
and purged of their contents before delivery;
fishing on the coast is forbidden, it being a
government monopoly; planters are forbid
den 10 send their sons 10 the United States
for educational purposes the slave trade is
secretly encouraged by the government no
person can remove from one house to another
without first paying for government per-
nit /; all cattle Che same as goods) that are
sold must pay six per cent. of their value 10
government: in short, every possible sub.
terfuge is resorted 10 by the government off.
cially 10 swindle the people, everything being
taxed, and there is no appeal from the deci-
sion OF the Captain GeneralW