American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1869-01-30
THE CHIEFS OF THE REV0LU
TON IN CUBA.

Don Carlos Manael de Cespedes. the
ackno wedged leader of the Cuban revo-
lutionists. is a man about forty five years
of age a lawyer by profession. and is,
besides rich landed proprietor. Ces.
pedes began his studies in the University
Of Havana, but ended them in Madrid.
Exercising his profession for some twenty
/ five years. he has succeeded in acquiring,
almost entirely through his own exer-
tons. property 10 Bayamo, or'h..some
800, 900, since his original patrimony
did not amount to more than some $50
900. The vi!or of his mind. aud the
soundness Of his legal opinions, have
made him. for several years, not only an
oracle among the people Of Bayamol bu.
also. hotsd man among the inhabitants
OF the peninsula who have entrusted most
of their legal business TO him. So posi-.
tive, indeed, became bis influence, and so
universally acknowledged his high ability
that, iu spite of the fact, that in monarch'
cal Cuba. the positions OF public trust
had always been at the disposition of the
dominant psrty,l and in spite of his liberal
opinions SO freely expressed, the Gov,
eminent, in several instances. found it.
self compelled 10 appoint him to several
flices of trust.
AT the opening Of the revolution, Ces,
pedes' first step was to emancipate more
than two hundred slaves He went far
Their. He encouraged, By appropriate
appeals, both the emaucipated men and
women. The former he advised to Join
in vindicatioD of the right of Cuba. The
latter he counselled to cultivate the soil.
The result Of this bold movement WAS
that the instruction had scarcely begun
when the Government ordered their war
steamer Neptune to lombard the property
Of Cespedes mex. TO the coast. which was
dinghy done. Cespedes has thrown
himself heart and soul into the revolu-
ton. He has shown himself to be man
of vigorous mind. Of indomitable energy /;
Of great coolness of undoubted military
skill, and Of rare eloquence. From his
speeches, resolutions and actions, it can
reasonably be anticipated that be will
not retire from the contest so long as there
is a native Cuban ready to vindicate with
him the independence Of his country.
One Of his late declarations +" Let US
conquer or die Cortez burnt his ships
We Cubans will block up the road Of fao
voritism," sufficiently attests the strength
of the motive that urges him on, Ces-
pedes has always shown himself, we
learn, a Rmarked admirer Of the United
States. and the history Of this country is
said 10 have had much influence in rang
ing him on the side Of Cuban indepen-
dence.
Personally, Cespedes is Of middle sta
ture, of robust constitution. of expressive
features, with broad forehead, and quick
intelligent eyes. He has been a man Of
signal influence for many years; and,
unless sudden close is put to the pre-.
sent movement, he is destined to WELD
a yet greater power in the desIinies Of
Cubs.
His colleague, Dr.. Francisco P. Aguil-
era, is also a notable man. A physician
by profession, be is large land owner.
besides being the proprietor of several
breeding farms. Misfortune, in gross. is
estimated at more than $1,000. 00O.-
Aguilera. like Cespndes, emancipated
his slaves on the outbreak Of the insur-
recfion. His professional knowledge is
profound, he having obtained thorough
education in the best schools Of Europe
and America. Socially. Aguilera comes
of military family. His father was
Brigader in the Spanish Army, and his
mother was the daughter Of General
formerly Governor Of Santiago
de Cuba. Nothing would seem to prove
the despo.ism under which the native
Cubans have long lived. more eonclu-
sively than the fact that those born in The
island, although the sons OF prominent
Spanisrds. are to day the most bitter en-
smies Of Spain. Il has. in fact. long been
a proverb. that Spain has been able TO do
everything in America except 70 make
faithful sons among the Spanish Ameri-
sans.
We are informed that o warm personal
friendship exists between Cespedes- and
Aguilera. They entertain uOIimited faith
IN the patriotism and ability Of one sno-
Their. The government journals ia Ha-
Esna have sndeavored TO show that the
Two Liberal chiefs are DOT on the best
erme but from the reports Of those who
NOV them most familiarity. il is clear {
hat ell those positive advantages in q I