The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-11-22

Proclamation of the Revolutionary Committee
Of the Island Of Cuba to Their Compntriofs
and to All Nations.
MANZANILLO, Oct. 10, 1858.
At our rising In arms against the tyrannical OPP
preston OF the Spanish government following the
custom established In all civilized countries, we
make manifest to the world the causes which have
obliged us to take this step-which pursuing the
greatest good, always produces inevitable convul-
son-and lay down the principles upon which we
desire to found the ruin Of the present for the happ
ness Of the future. No one Ii ignorant that Spain
governs the island OF Cuba with bloody iron arm
not only leaving her security in her property by
assuming the power OF imposing upon her tributes
and contributions according to her within, but that
she had deprived her Of her CIVIL political and reli
gious liberty; that her unhappy children see them
selves banished from their native soil to remote
chimes, executed without form OF law by military
commissions established in times of peace and
through the pusianimity of the civil powers that
she has kept her deprived OF the right OF meeting
unless under the presidency Of military chief that
she cannot ask for remedy to her complaint with
out being treated as Q rebel, and no other appeal is
allowed her than TO keep quiet and obey.
The infinite calamity OF hungry officials from
Spain, degrading to us, dev0urs the products OF
our property and our labor under the protection
Of the despotic authority which the Spanish govern
ment entrusts In their hands, and deprvesour best
citizens OF an opportunity to learn how to oil tho
public positions SO necessary in good government.
and the art OF directing the destinies OF a nation,
helped therein by the retroactive system OF education
which spain ADOPTS for she wishes us to ignorant
in order that we may not know our most sacred
rights and II we should know them, that we should
not obtain their observance on any ground what
ever. THIS island being loved and admired BY all
enemy, does not need a standing army and navy
which draw. with their enormous expenses, from
the fountains OF public and private wealth; notwit-
standing which Spain imposes upon us In our terri
tory an armed force which has no other object than
which degrades us. Our valuable products are seen
with envy by the denzens OF foreign mercantile
cities and yet though they are sold at great prices
House system OF Spain that the unhappy producer
here s scarce able to cover his expenses, so that
were II not for the unusual fertility or the soil We
would all mserably perish.
Again, the island OF Cuba cannot prosper, because
mer is KENT back rom our shores 81 the innumera
BILE obstacles thrown IN its way and the Jealousy and
spite with which II Is treated.
SO IL il that Cubans cannot speak, cannot write,
cannot think nor receive advantage from what
their brothers In other countries send them. 1nnu-
merabe have been the times in which Spain has Of
fercd respect their rights but the fument OF her
promise has not been seen except through mock
representation designed only TO cover her taxation,
which, with the help OF other charges accompanying
them. large that they destroy our property.
Realizing that we are In danger OF losing our pro- ?,
1
| expose all these Jewels In order TO rec cur
| rights as men, Since we cannot do so y lment
| we must appeal 10 arms on the battle flc when
! people arrive at the extremity OF degradation and
| misery In which we find ourselves, one can re-
prove " we take up arms In order 10 emerge from
| q condition so full OF shame. The example OF tho
greatest nations authorizes US TO appeal to this last
| resource.
The island or Cuba cannot be deprived OF the rights
which other nations enjoy and cannot consent TO
have Il said that she knows only how TO suffer y y
the time for other civilized nations to interpose their
influence 10 take out nom the claws OF o barbarous
power people innocent, illustIiou9, sensible and
generous 80 sem ana 20 the Cod OF our consciences
| we appeal with our hands and our hearts. Ven
geance does not nlsead u.s. ambition does not guide
u.s.. We only wish % be Z &C and equal TO all men,
Grated principles We believe all men our brothers,
we love tolerance order and justice In all matters.
We respect the lives and property OF all the peaceful
citizens, even though they are Spaniards residing IN
our territory; we admire universal suffrage, which
assures the sovereignty Of the peoples we desire the
gradual emancipation OF slavery and under indemni-
fcation: the nee, reciprocal interchange between
/ friendly Detions rghtiul representation 10 decree
| laws and taxes and, IN general, we demand the re-
gious observance Of the nalienable rights OF men,
constituting ourselves an independent nation, be-
cause thus may be fulfilled the grandeur OF our des-
tny and because we are sure that under the sceptre
OF Spain we never enjoy the free exercise OF our
i rights. Seeing our moderation, our misery and the
Justice OF our cause, what noble breast viii there be
that will not beat with the wish that we should OBJ
tain the holy object which We 2,9ose to ourselveai