The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-02-17


situated for the enjoyment Of the sea breeze.
The average annual temperature Of Havana Is n
deg. Fahrenheit, which constitutes, as will be
recollected, eur most delightful summer wealth
er. And during . residence Of some six weeks
on the Island in December and January, | did
not observe variation Of deg. from that
highest pOiut Indicated by the thermometer
having been So deg. and the lowest ~ deg.
The coldest day known on the Island the last
thirty years, was In Deo., 1895, when the mer.
curry fell TO so deg above zero, and the warm
est WAS In June OF the same year, when 1t rose
TO 50. II will be recollected that In Minnesota,
We not unfrequently In the summer, see the
Thermometer at o6 or even ~ deg, some ten
degrees warmer than the most extreme heat
known on the Island. II is true that the yellow
fever prevails In the summer, In three or four
cities, but Of milder type than In usually found
In some Of our Southern cities. With the ex-
ception Of these few localities, We doubt II any
climate In the world. not even excepting that
Of Minnesota, 10 healthier, even for natives OF
this latitude, and We deem II In every respect
lncompsrably superior 70 that Of the more
southern States Of the Union. Lacking the
sluggish streams and low bottoms and marshes
OF these States, II is far less exposed 10 the ma
lArias and masmss which there prevail, while
the tropical heats are greatly modified by the
delightful sea breeze, which IL ~ certain and
regular o. the return Of night and day.
roPULArIok OF CuBA--rmE PEOPLE.
The population OF Cuba amounts TO q
little over 100000 souls, comprising the
European, African, Native American and
Mongolian or Chinese races. OF these last
two, however, there are but few thousands
on the island. The white population numbers
100000, and the blacks nearly half mill
ion. The Spaniards proper, or natives Of
Spain, on the island, numbers 10000 and the
rest OF the white population consists of per-
sons Of Spanish descent or Creoles.
ruu HATivK srASIARDs AND cREOLks--TRE
OPPREssIoKs Ov SPAIN.
Between the native Spaniards and the Gre.
oles, though claiming the same nationality, aud
often close consanguinity, the difference 10 as
marked and distinct - between men Of differ.
ent nations. And between their Interests an
impasssble gulf yawns-impaaeAble II least 70
long - spain continues her present suicidal pol
icy. These spanisrds ill every Office Of trust
or profit from that Of Captain General down TO
the lowest official. For them are created Of
fees of trust and profit 80 fast ~ the iDcTeas
means Of the treasury will INIT, totally ire
speetiye Of the actual necessity for such Offices,
so far ~ the people are concerned. They are
the rayenous, Unsuitable leeches which with anx-
ious maternal sole eitude, spain uses 10 deplete
her too healthy infant. They are sent out sole.
ly 10 govern and bleed the people. aud most
thoroughly are their duties performed. Ia the
appointment of these officials the natives of
Cuba have not the slightest voice or choice
The different grades Of officers are only respon.
sible to their superiors, their superiors TO the
ot.ta In al tals. n., sal Al.
self. And A. usual they do not seek Cuba a. =
permanent residence, but only fer the purpose
OF making q fortune. and then returning 10
Spain to enjoy II they are united by one com
mon interest and object there Ia no possible
check TO their rspscity no limit 10 their ebor
nous eaaetions. The sentiments tngendered
by this system bet weep the officials and people
can be no other than hate and fear ~ before
stated, and nothing but the presence Of q pow
erfn army-frofn every Office or appointment
10 which natives are vigorously excluded. tho
heavily taxed for its mainte ensnce--preyebtsth the
Crsoles from asserting their natural rights, and
wresking the most terrible vengeance on theiT
opptess0rs. Consider for a moment the nature
and extent of the burden. imposed upon the
wrsicbed CIeoIes. They are permitted no
voice in The Cortes. or legislative department;
the press Ia under tbs yilest. most rigorous cen
sorshp farmers are compelled 10 pay atsk Of
ten per cent on all their baryss, save sugar aud
on that article ~ per cent. The island has been
under martial law since 1873 over tlJ 900. 900
OF taxes per anhom are levied upon the inbsb.
itAnu to be sguandered by the home Govern.
msnt ice IL Insnopollzod BY Government,
-four from the United States il 20 taxed a. 20
be pfphibited IN order that Spzin may furnish
an Inferior article At ehorbitsbt rates six per
sons OF more cannot meet 10 private without
being iabie 10 police Intrusion there ~ .
stamped paper made necessary Tor special con
tracts costing eight dollars per sheet; no goods
eitbef IN or out OF doors eau be sold without a
license the natives Of the island are excluded
eHtteiy rom the army. the judiciary. the treas
ury and the customs The military government
assumes The charge d schools the grazing 6
cattle oE pnbhc lands ~ taxed exIbitaptly
newspaper from asrosf, with lev erceptiOns.
are eontrabAnd letter. passing through the
tos' are nAD'e 70 We opesen ~ any hfns, and
Nose 10 this country ron hon ie'd"hc ~ The
Island usually are pshIng cn the cOa4t 10 for.