The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1869-01-27
History of Cuban Grievances.

An account Of all the efforts made by prominent Gu
bans to obtain political rights from the mother conn
try is history of humiations and disappointments-
During the reigns of Phillip II and Phillip III, it was
officially declared that Spain and her American colo
MES ought be ruled by laws equal and convenient
both possible; the political condition Of Cuba and
| Spain being then entirely alike.
in 1911 Spain enjoyed for the first time the bles
Sings of constitutional government, and Cuba was
entitled to have two representatives in the Spanish
Cortes Three years AFTER the despotsm of Fernando
VII was established and again overthrow by Rego
in 1920 Louis XVIII of France sent his nephew with
20 erul army to replace Fernando on the Spanish
throne and then commenced that period which recalls
the rule Of Ppip III Fernando died IN 1888, and the
nation was divided into two parties; one defending
the principles Of fanaticsm and absolute power, the
other the doctrine of political liberty for the people.
The liberal party was victorious after some years Of
civil war and then the Estatato Real given
political chart the Spaniards, being introduced in
Cuba with such alterations that the Captain Generals
remained in full possession of their antocratc author
ity Although the Cabans were greatly displeased on
seeing that they considered inferior to the ihab
tants OF the Spanish provinces they sent their repre-
sentatives to the Cortes. The Estauto was stborn.
In 1886 the constitution Of 1872 again proclaimed
in Spain; and the Coltes ConstihyeRtes agreed after
some hestation that. Cuba should send representa-
tive for every so, 900 inhabitants.
On the 9th OF October 1885, the Cortts Constitu-
yentts assembled and Cuba had in them four repre-
sentatves These presented their credentials and not
receiving any official answer, Deputy Saco urged the
examination of said documents In February of 1887
committee proposed to the Cortes resolution "that
in the future no representative OF the colonies shall be
admitted to the Cortes" The elected deputies drew
up dgniGed protest, but the Spanish Government,
nevertheless confirmed to the Captain General 8 ell
the powers granted by the royal ordinances to the
commanders Of besieged places"
The news of the constitution being proclaimed in
Spain was brought to Santiago de Cuba the 10Th of
September, and the Governor General, Lorenzo, pro-
claimed it in that department. Captain General Don
Miguel Tacon sworn enemy to all constitutional lib
erty armed expedition against the Governor of
Cuba, and the latter, without making any resistance,
Obliged to leave the country, followed by all those
who were known BY their liberal principles. The Span
ish Government approved Tacon's conduct without
listening to the just reclamations made by Deputy Va
liente who had been sent Spain to defend the pro-
ceelings OF Gen, Lorenzo.
Tn 1854 prominent persons in C2ba, well known BY
their talents and wealth. asked representation for the
Island in the Spanish Cortes. A Spaniard editor of an
Official paper wrote pamphlet in favor of the propos
sition but its circulation was prohibited by the Cap
Il-Gencra. The writer the an.hor Of that me-
norable phrase, F. Cuba must be Spanish or African"
In 1859 another spanard, in pamphlet entitled
.The Aspirations OF Cuba, defended the rights of the
Cnbans Sed their representatives to Congress- but
all these efforts were unsuccessful
In 1861 Marshal Serrano disappointed Captain Gen
eral of Cuba and encouraged the party called Conees
ionists to new trial Of patience by asking the de-
sired political rights. Notwithstanding the opposition
Of the Spanish papers il Cubs, Gen. Dnlce, the sue
cessor OF Serrano authorised by the Minister of the
Colonies caused the Common Councils Of Cuba to |
elect Commissioners to be sent to Spain. The secret
Instructions given to the Captain General appeared in
decree issued by him. in which it was plainly seen |
tina. the eectng Of said Commissioners was made so
as to diminish the number of real estate owners, in
creasing that of the persons who against the re-
iorns At least sixteen commissioners elected, /
and they departed for Spain. On the Both of October
the first session took place, under the presidency Of
the Minister Of the Colonies The 4th November
every commissioner received printed circular with
interrogatory concerning the best ways and means
to regulate the labor Of the African and Asatic pop-
lation aud the immigration more convenient for the
provinces of Cuba and Porto Rico To treat such /
questions tile commissioners had left their homes and
travelled hundreds of miles Tie President denied
them even the right to discuss on the order Of the
questions asked, and they had to form onreommittees
TO give information abo4t the proposed points. It I
would be tedious to give report OF the sessions, in
which nothing said about political rights. The |
Commissioners came back to their country with the
sad experience that the Spanish Government
reluctant than to grant Cuba the least particle of
liberty. Whether to punish the nsolence of the Coll
oies, throw upon the Concessionists the respons
blity of the new state of things. Cuba was oyerbur
ened with heavy taxations, which, having exasperated
those who wanted peace at any cost, have given
the patriots encouragement to shake off the yoke oil
The Colonial Government.