The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-03-26
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The Cuban Revolt.
EACH days intelligence adds new interest to
the great drama now being enacted in Cuba.
The tragic conflict through which our Repub-
lie has triumphsntly emerged is there re-
pested on q mimic scale, but under widely
different circumstances. Here the Rebels
fought for slavery; there they fight for freedom
for all. Here the Rebels antagonized the
established Government for ridiculous or
totally inadequate reasons, but in Cuba the
patriots are striving to release themselves from
thraldom as odious and oppressive as it is
ancient. Here the nationality of great re-
publican system which sheds bene6csnt
light upon the civilized world was put in
jeopardy, but there Spain olings with miser's
clutch to the last gem Of the greatest treasury
of colonial possessions that avarice aud ambi-
ton ever amassed. Here the sympathy of
every true friend of liberty and progress was
instinctively attracted by the noble cause
of the Union, but there loyalty
means continued submission to tyran-
nical rule and the continued enslavsment of
the entire native population for the benefit of
distant oppressors.
1t is not singular, therefore, that the Cuban
cause should attract American sympathy; that
the representative of an awakened people
should be courteously received at Washing
tom that Congress should consider the pro-
priety of recognizing the new beligerent power
at the earliest moment; that the prevailing
sentiment should fad expression in enthu-
siastio public meetings; and that material aid
should be surreptitiously forwarded from our
shores to the men who are Offering up their
fortunes and their lives upon the altar of their
country.
Whether this movement fails or succeeds,
it deserves encouragement. Is has at least
sufficient prospects OF success to redeem its
leaders from the charge of barebrained rash
ness. 1t commenced at moment when Spain
was in the throes of an internal convulsion,
which at once furnished significant example
and a convenient opportunity. However
much we may sympathize with the efforts of
the Spanish people to rid themselves of an
eflete Bourbon yoke, we cannot forget that
the Cubans must suffer tenfold more from any
form of Spanish domination than the Spa
niards endured at the hands of their exiled
Queen; and the plea that regard for the
Liberal cause at Madrid should make us up
hold the authority of a Captain General at
Havana is unworthy OF oountenanoe or con-
sideration.
The proportions which the revolt has as
sumed furnish at once its justification and q
hopeful augury of its triumph. The morning
papers announce that the Cuban Minister at
Washington has confirmed the statement made
a few days ago in these columns, that the in
surgents had twenty five thousand well-a
soldiers in the field, and that many more will
be organized into efficient regiments as soon as
they can receive arms and ammunition. AS
the ranks of the regular Spanish forces and
the sanguinary volunteers formed of the
Cuban residents who were born in Spain, and
who are playing the part of the Tories Of our
Revolution, are decimated by battle or disease,
Spain will be sorely puzzled to furnish large
reserve from nation which is already agi-
tated by oonsoription riots, and which requires
a large standing army to maintain order at
home.
Wnho tnis unuefiyipb DhsiS IL encouraging
to the patriots If they can prolong the conflict,
the news forwarded yesterday is very favor
able to their cause. 1t indicates that dissen-
sions and diversions are springing up in the
Spanish camp. Several of the sub governors
OF important portions OF the island and lead
ing Spanish military officers are accused of
disloyalty. Some OF the volunteer bsttalions
have joined the ranks of the patriots, and
while this disposition to desert q sinking ship
is displayed, new victories have been gained
by the insurgents, and new arrivals OF expsdi-
tions and arms from the United States, with
more on the way, are announced,
II there Is fair foundation for these state
ments, the cold blooded cruelty which CON
signs political prisoners to indescribable hor-
rors, and orders or permits bloody executions,
Will add new fuel to the flame instead OF
arresting 1t. Terrorism has ceased to eyer
cise an omnipotent influence, and the destiny
OF CUBA must be decided not by the garrote
or the prisOn'ship, but by the arts of modern
warfare.
The ACT RECENTLY introduced in the State
Legislature to secure ''the construction of :
lOW-prada railway IN conneot a.. - !. =,