The New York herald., 1869-05-20
Tho New Republic.

The revolution in Cuba has changed Its
phase and, emerging from the chrysalis state
of unanimous popular resistance to the
tyranny of Spain, has assumed the mature
proportions of complete republic. Our
readers will find in another column of our issue
to-day the address of General Cespedes on
resigning his provisional authority into the
hands Of the Cuban Congress, and his subse-
quent proclamation to the people OF Cuba as
President of the newborn republic. Accom-
panying these documents are certain official
reports Of Sehor Aguilera, the new Secretary
of State and War, and the proclamation OF
General Quesada, the newly appointed Com
mander-in-C Chief Of the patriot forces OF Cuba
These documents have come to us direct from
Guimaro, the provisional capital of the repub-
lie, and bear the official imprint of the newly
constituted government
1t has been said that true liberty consists in
a due respect for all the forms of law; and in
this duty General Cespedes has not been want
ing in his action as leader of the revolution.
On the 10th of September last he raised the
banner of resistance to the Spanish authorities
at Yara, and although his example was rapidly
| followed in the Eastern and Central Depart
ments of the island, and he was recognized by
local leaders everywhere as the true chief of
| the movement, he has been slow to assume the
functions of supreme authority, and modest in
their exercise. When the representatives of
the people met in congress he resigned into
their hands the authority which the popular
voice had conferred upon him, and submitted
fdence in his wisdom and integrity, and have
conferred upon him the first position which the
will of free people can confer. and from this
moment his voice will stir every Cuban heart
| as their chosen and accepted leader.
1t Is not the pomp Of courts nor the trap
pings of gorgeous array which constitutes
the true grandeur of the birth of nation. 1t
is the holiness of the fires which burn upon its
affairs and the sublimity of the ideas which
| have given it being. In this respect the words
| of President Cespedes, though few, are preg
nant with greatness and with life. Though
uttered amid the palm crowned fields of dis
| tant isle, and perhaps beneath the thatched
and humble roof of tropical cottage, they will
! find an echo in the courts of palaces and in the
hearts of freemen everywhere. 'Tn the act of
beginning the struggle with the oppressor,
said he, Scuba has assumed the solemn duty
to consummate her independence or to perish
in the attempt; and in giving herself demo-
cratic government she obligates herself to be-
come republican. This double obligation, con-
tracted in the presence of free America, before
the liberal world, and, what is more, before
our own consciences, signifies our determine
ton to be heroic and to be virtuous. On your
heroism rely for the consummation of our
independence, and on your virtue count to
consolidate the republic
Words like these fashion the minds of men
everywhere, and exercise that control over
events which shows that ''beneath the rule of
man entirely great the pen is mightier than the
sword" They bring a new power into the
struggle for freedom in Cuba, and lead to the
conviction that in the contest there against the
crown of Spain that monarchy is destined to
encounter the same defeat which has ever
attended its efforts to perpetuate its sway.
Revolution against 1t has triumphed in Naples
and Italy, in Portugal, in the Low Countries,
and IN the multitudinous republics that once
constituted her vast dominion on this Cont
nent, and it has failed nowhere. They will
fire the Cuban heart with new enthusiasm and
inspire confidence in its efforts and Its aims.
They will Undue every Cabinet in the civilized
world with feeling Of respect for the Cuban
leader, and create an antagonism at home and
abroad to the claims of Spain which she will
find 1t difficult, If not impossible to overcome |;
and we shall not be surprised If, in the pecu-
liar condition In which the Spanish nation
finds itself to-day, they found powerful echo
in the Spanish peninsula.
Listening to their import we must hail the
fact that q new republic is born. We know
that to this announcement the heart Of the
American people will respond with pleasure,
and we shall not be surprised to see an up
heaval of public opinion that will contribute
greatly to the early triumph of Its cause. It
will become our government to give the first
| recognition to the new member of the family
and from those of civilized and Christian
peoples we look for such action as will mitigate
the horrors of a war of revolution and the suf-
ferings which attend nation in the throes of
independence. All hail to the republic Of
Cuba, the Youngest and, mayhap, the fairest
| of nations
| Too BAD.-That General John Cochrane
should be kept dancing attendance at the
White House at this late day, as If his services
in the campaign Of 1868 were of no account.
! Ia the hitch with Boutwell,, or what is the diff.