The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-01-12
The Cuban Question.
NBw YORK, Jan. 8, 1857.

tice in your issue of yesterday, cOmmuni,a-
|ating that there exists in this country a Sc.
|rder called the Sons of Freedom; that the
cation extends from New Orleans to New
and that it has for it's object some movement
.tiOn to the Island of Cuba. have no kno W.
Il the existence of such an organization, but
ing that have some acquaintance with the
I the popular mind in Cuba, and of the wishes
lrse majority of the Cubans, trust shall not
ked upon as intruding upon public attention,
senting few comments upon the present po-
OF what is styled the Cuban question.
'ems to me that that question has materially
ed its character, and that solution OF 1t must
ght by other measures than those which en-
the efforts of the American sympathisers with
triot Cubans few years since. The change
Oh allude has operated both in Cuba and in
'untry, and seems to me to preclude for tn
t any revolutionary attempt in that island, o
ccessful movement against the Spanish gov
mt there, by that large portion of our fellow
IS who would gladly see that island holding
oud position of a sovereign State in our con
cy.
rder to present more clearly the change thai
We has taken place in this great question,
me to give short sketch of the course il
flowed in the island of Cuba. The policy
d in 1887 by Spain in the government of
under the advice Of Gen. Tacon, reduced the
from the position it then occupied, as an in
part Of the kingdom of Spain with represen-
in the Cortes, to the abject condition of q
'oerdance with the stipulations of the consti-
of 1885 and royal order issued to the Cap
sneral Of Cuba, three deputies, Juan Montalvo
ll0, from Havana, Francisco de Armas, from
Principe, and Jose Antonio SacO, from San
e Cuba, were elected to the Cortes. On the
t February, 1887, the special committee of
ody reported against the extension OF the
ution to the provinces of Asia and America,
that they should be ruled by spe-
vs., and that their representatives should not
wed to take their seats. On the 2lst of the
month the deputies from Cuba presented
r0test against this violation OF the constitu-
that time the people of Cuba have been
lslv excluded from all participation in the
affairs Of the colony; and even occasional con.
m there upon important measures was limited
Q who were supposed to be favorable to the
Spanish ideas. This policy produced the
result of an estrangement on the part of the
, towards Spain, and created an Intense de-
n the attainment Of their political rights.
although this feeling was almost uni
in Cuba, the many difficulties to be over
in its contamination gave rise to great d.
of opinion as to the proper course 10 be pur
Some thought that agitation in Spain, and
Y through the legislative action Of the Cortes,
e only possible one, and they carried on their
in that view. A small number were disposed
ept the issue of revolutionary war in the
these have always constituted small
ty of the people. A much larger number be-
that success could only be attained through
ton, aided by auXilialies from this country.
constituted the most numerous and by far the
ctive party; and in the prosecution of their
it is estimated by well informed persons that
he year lS4S the sums which have been spent
country in preparing the several frustrated
tions have amounted TO fully two millions OF
lie their labors were in progress Gen. Pezuea
Mt to Cuba as Capt lin General Of the island,
, acts and DEGREES issued between the Sd Of
Der, 1858, and Sd of May, 1854, gave a
al stimulus to the movement. / have
a complete view Of these measures in the
lct0ry essay to my translation Of Baron Hum
work on Cuba, published by Derby Il Jackson,
ci Y, and it Is not ne ;essary 10 recite them
Their effect was to produce a conviction on
pds of all classes in Cuba. that q radical AMI
change was medit ited in the social laws.
ycitement was intense throughout the island.
cities, and more particularly in the capita,
yroes exhibited their sense OF their expected
vii rights, in the most insolens demeanor TO-
he whites, ard particularly toward the ladies
public streets and promenaies. The dep0rt-
4 the negroes carried alarm into the bosom of
family, and men prepared for revolution, as
ly means OF self preservation. Cubins and
rds united cordially in this determination, for
er individual opinions might be divided, all
that a violent and sudden change in the
OF the country, could only bring
,tion to its material welfare. Preparations
made almost openly for the revolution, and
ums were sent TO this country 10 hasten the
atoms here.
great success that was attending the labors Of
han patriots alarmed the spanish government.
sistance of our government was implored and
I'd TO stop the projected expedition against the
The most active measures were taken here
rtain the plans and movements Of the Cuban
ers and to embarrass their steps. Some
a is not the proper place to speak Of the n.
d by the cminency Of the impending danger,
the fear of losing In colony mt time when
~ were too much epgrossed by the difficulties
war In the East TO assist It, Spain determined
lit q change In its policy toward Cuba. Pc
vas &C accordingly removed, and a new Captain
II was sent TO Cuba with more extraordinary
than had been held by any Of his prede-
FIRST care was 10 endeavor 10 calm the public
and 10 reassure IL OF the safety of existing
L., al, La h.a In, mn .u.s
|. A radical change was adopted in the policy
government toward the native Cubans. Perse
for opposition TO the late measures ceaseL
4 were consulted in regard TO the future
OF tue colonial government, aud portion
public Offices were opened 20 occupation by
! of the Is and. general amnesty was
ed TO the many Cuban exiles, and they have
ubicly and privately solicited by the agents
government TO return to their homes. Many
one so, for the bread Of exile was exceeding
though sweetened with the hopes Of true
ism. Even those who have refused 80 accept
boons have had their confiscated possessions
island returned 10 them without solicitation
ir part, and without condition on the part Of
vernment
le these things have been passing in
and have been producing their natural effect
public opinion there, circumstances In this
y have tended to assist and strengthen them.
cite some Of them without danger of being
cred prolix. When the efforts OF the iiibus-
carry an auxiliary expedition to Cuba failed,
uban patriot, standing in the midst Of his
red hopes which lay scattered around him,
yealed to his gaze opposing elements that h
been hidden by the magnitude Of our efforts
PREPARATIONS.
policy OF our government was found 10 be
,aticaly opposed TO any political change IN
and II was seen that every administration,
YER might be its partizan character, would
acioNsly oppose any preparation here. An or
Ition was seen TO spring up in orr midst, bear
on its front prescription for reli gious opinions,