Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1869-11-09


history, was the establishment of the mil
itary despotism by which Spain has ruled
and retained possession of the colony.
The first Captain General was Juan de
Tejada, appointed in The year 1899.
Some Of the Governors or Captains
G eneral of Cuba, have been humane and
intelligent, but the majority have been "a
pacious and cruel. Veasquez, one OF the
earliest Governors, was one of the most
energetic and intelligent, but native
chief whose only crime was taking up
arms in defence of his little territory fell
into his hands, and was burned alive, asa
punishment for his patriotism. 1t is no
wonder that such treatment reduced the
native population SO rapidly, that the
Spaniards were Obliged to find lOborers of
harder character.
The Captain General of Cuba is invest
cd with unlimited power. His rule Is ab-
solutc. He has the power of life and
death and liberty in his hands. He can,
by his arbitrary will, send any person into
exile, be his name or rank what it may,
even if he has committed no overt act
He can suspend the operation Of the lawf,
; can destroy Or coniscate property; "and
in short, the island may be said to DO per-
petually in state of seige."
Again, the Captain General is not ap.
pointed to look after the interests Of the
Cubans, but simply to look utter the rere'
nue. Such an office ia brilliant prize,
> for which the grandses Of Spain are con
stantIy struggling. The Captain Genera
knows he cannot expect long term OF Of
fee and takes no pains to gain the gooc
will Of the Cubans. He has two objects
to keep the revenue up to the mark
and enrich himself as speedily as pos
sible. atr. r-H.
With these facts in view-frSt tina
Spain conquered the Cubans, reduced
them to ahject slavery, and treated then
so cruelty that in process Of time they wer'
almost exterminated second that, sht
filed up the vacant places with slaves i'm
ported from Africa, and thus introduce,
the slave trade to the Western Continent
r and third that she has maintained be
, power in Cuba by means Of military des
I potism with these facts Before us-=-it i
the less necessary TO go into the details o
5 administration. .'......... ......
! There is no bright side to the picture
The few worthy Governors like Las Casa
: and Ramirez, only serve as exceptions
!. that emphatically prove the rule. 1t is onl
: by accident that such men have authorit
e in Cuba. A few months or years Of thei
e mild and cquable reign, would render
=. ten-fold more difficult to endure the cru
e city of the next Governors.
, And yet there is bright side, OF rath
cr bright prospect in view. Spain, j
t the course Of three centuries, has sun
l. from first class power,--or rather tn
: first power Of Europe--to be the derisio
and disgust of the world, The avengin
a fates have overtaken her, but still in he
t mbccilc old age, she clings with deaf
& grip to the gem of the West, the fairest {
S her possessions.
d 1t is the spirit Of the Middle Ages
n breathing its curse of hate and defiance
y the face Of the 10th century--the fol
clammy hand of superstition, trying to d
battle with the vigorous arm of moder
n progress.
:. 1t is easy to foretell the result of til
= conflict. Sooner OF later, Cuba will b
st independent, of Spain. Why then, "
y ask, should the conflict be further prolon,
e ed? We reiterate our first position tn;
e it is the duty Of the United States to r,
:, cognize the Cubans as belligcrents
It We intend to revert to the subjeC
again, and speak sf the resources of Cub;
d and Of what she might Become, if relieve
n from the incubus of Spanish tyranny
q D. ii. b.