Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-10-02

Cuba and spain-Iutense Feeling I'm
Madrfd-TerrOr of the Spnniards =
"Free" Spain.
Madrid 0Sept. 81 Cor. London Timss.l I
1t is impossible to convey to you an
idea of the excitement existing in Madrid
at this moment. 1t arises from two
causes. The first is Cuba, the secon
the Volunteers Of Liberty. Let me tax g
each in its order. Frst, then, with re-
spect to Cuba. The Spanish Govern
ment having adopted, unwisely for them
selves, the plan Of carefully hiding from
the public any evil news they receive
from that island, and publishing from
time to time kilograms highly favorable
to the success of the troops, have man
aged to persuade the public that the in
surrection is "almost crushed" and that
General Cabellero de Rodas would soon
be able to announce the return of the
Pearl OF the Antilles to allegiance.
The bulk of the Madrid press have lent
themselves to the same system of con-
ceslment, doubtless obeying warnings
from high quarters, and have published
nothing but highly Spanish series of re.
ports of the progress of the struggle. On
Sunday night the Epoca, one of the best
edited papers in Msdrid, though Isabel
line in its principles, broke this silence
in long and doleful article, quoting
from private letters it had received from
persons Of the greatest veracity sad state
ments of the danger there was of the
loss of the island. 1t urged the
sending out of much larger reinforce
ments than the 5000 men who are to sail
next week. On Monday the matter was
much talked of, but as only one or two
papers are published on that. day. the
public generally heard little. Oa Mon
day night the Epoca startled the world by
another highly sensational article to the
effect that fresh news of great gravity
had come to sfH ct their hearts as Span
iards the representative of the United
States, Gen. Sickles, whose presence
among us has been the sad omen for the
interests of the country" had, under or
ders from Washington, transmitted note
to the Spanish government, "announc-
ing that the state of public opinion in the
North American Republic would proba
bly, oblige them to recognize the Cuban
rebels as belligerents. The Epoca then
proceeded with highly patriotic appeal,
urging the dispatch of the entire army to
Cuba, and calling on Isabellinos, Carlists,
Republicans, and ell others opposed to
the present situation, to :" cease their ran
cors, and leave the government free to
save Cuba" with "ourses on them
if they did not" 1t further sug-
gested public meetings in every city,
town and village ITO demonstrate to,
that great republic that Spain had but
one will when the salvation Of the integ-
rity of her territory is concerned" On
Tuesday morning this article was copied
in all the papers, with the marked excep-
ton of one or two Of the Government
orgaus, and produced the widest axcite-
ment. Each paper in copying it added
its own comments, all highly sensational,
and all urging the despatch of the last
man and the last dollar to save Cuba.
The effect of the excitement may be
Judged from the fact that the funds fell
TO the lowest point they had touched in
sixteen years. The Government do not
publish General Sckles' dispatch, Though
to my mind it would be far better If they
were not quite so secretive. 1t is not my
business to inquire into the right the
American government have thus to read
lessons in tender mercy to Spain, or into
the effect this bugbear of recognition
would have upon the course of the insur-
rectiou. After all l spprehend it would
be but moral effect but, whatever it
be, it has unquestionably terrified the
Spanish people amazingly.