Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-01-26
CUBA.
The oriAin of the Troubles In
that sunny Isle.

An account Of all the Efforts made BY
/ prominent Cubana 20 obtain political
rights frem the mother country, is q his
tory OF humiliations and disappoint-
ments. During the reign of Philip II
and Phillp III, Il was officially declared
that Spain and her American colonies
! ought to be rulsd by laws as equal ard
/ convenient to both as possible; the pO-
/ Iitical condition Of Cuba and Spain being
/ then entirely alike.
In 1911 Spain enjoyed, for the hrs.
/ time, the blessings or q constitutional
government, and Cuba was entitled to
/ nave two representatives in the Spanish
/ Cortes. Three years after, the despotism
Of Fernando VII was established, and
again 0verthrOWn by Rieg0 in 1920
LJu.s XYIIIOf France sent his nephew
with powerful army to replace Fer
nando on the Spanish threne, and then
commenced thst period which recalls the
rule Of Philip Ii. Fernando died in 1898,
and the nation WAS divided into two par
ties; one defending the principles of
fsnsticism and absolute power, the other
the doctrine Of political liberty for the
people. The liberal party was victorious
after soc1e years Of civil war, and then
the Estatuto Real was given as a politi-
cal chart to the Spanisrds, being intro
duced in Cuba with such alterations that
the Captain General remained in fuu
possession Of their RutOcrstic authority.
Although the Cubsns were greatly dis
pleased on seeing that they were cOnsid-
cred inferior to the inhabitants of the
Spanish provinces, they sent their repre-
sentatives to the COrtes. The EstaiutO
was still-born. In 1896 the constitution
Of 1872 was again proclaimed in Spain
and the CoFtes CONSTITUENCIES agreed,
after some hesitation, that Cuba should
send a representative for every 30 900 in
habitants.
On the 24tb of October, 1885, the Cortes
Constituyentes assembled, and Cuba had
In them four representatives. These pre- I
sented their credentials, and not recsiv- |
Ing any official answer, Deputy Saco /
urged the examination Of said docu- I
ments. In February Of 1887, commit [
Tee proposed to the Cortes g resolution 4
" that In the future no representative Of 1
the colonies shall be admitted to the
Cortes." The elected deputies drew Up
q dignihed protest, but the Spanish gov
eminent, nevertheless. confirmed to the
Captsin-GeneraI all the powers grantad
by the royal ordinances to the command.
ers OF besieged places"
The news Of the constitution being
proclaimed in Spain, was brought 10
santiago de Cuba the oath Of September,
and the Governor, Gen. Iorerg1, pro.
1t in that department. Captain
General Don Miguel Taoon, 3 sworn
enemy to all Constitutional liberty, sent
an armed expedition against the Cover.
nor OF Cuba, ard the latter, without
making any Fesistancs, was obliged TO
cave the country, followed by ali those
who were known by their liberal princi-
pies. Ihe Spanish government ap-
proved Tacon'5 conduct without Iiaten-
ng to the Just reclsmations made by
Qsputy paliente, vino had been sent to
spain to defend the proceedings Of Gen.
Lorenzo.
Ia 1854, prominent persons in Cuba.
we'll known by their talents and wealth
.sked representation for the Island Ia
ne Spanish Cortes. A Spaniard, editor
II an official paper, wrote a pamphlet in
aVoT OF the proposition, but its eiFculs-
Ion was prohibited by the Captain. Gen.
raj. The writer was the suthor Of that
memorable phrase, "Cuba must be
J. lanish or African"
In 1855 another Spanisrd. in a nam.
'hlet entitled the Aspirations Of Clbs,U
defended the right of the Cubaus TO
end their representatives to Congress.
ut all these efforts were unsuccessful.
In 1861, Marshal Serrsno was appoint
d Captain-GeneFal OF Cube, and en-
the party called Concessionists
o Dew trial OF patience by asking the
esired political rights. Notwiths.aud.
1g tao opposition Of the Spanish papers
q CUBA, Gen. A1lce, the successor of
g frsae, authorized by the Minister OF
be Colonies, caused the Common Coun.
lis OF Cuba to elect commissioners to be
snt to Spain. The secret instructions
iven to the Captain-General appeared 4
! decree issued by Bim, In wkieh it 7
'as plainly seen that the electing Of said
ommissloneFs was made 80 as to dimin-
n the number OF real estate owners, in
reasing that OF the persons who were
gainst the reforms, At last sixteen
were elected, and thev
epSrted for Spain, On the 9Oth Oe.
'ber, the first session took place, under
le Presidency of the Minister of the
:, ,...s. .,.-,...-- H .s I'll "a "a HS6vember every
commissioner received q printed circu- 4
II with an interrogatory concerning ,
the best ways ana Ldesns TO regulate D
le labor Of the African and Asiatic y
Opulation, and the immigration more y
)nvenient for the provinces OF Cubs G
ld Porto Rieo.n To treat such ques- F
obs the Commissioners had left their n
Omes and travelled hundreds Of miles.
be President denied them even the ii yht B
discuss on the order of the questions
iked, and they had to form four oom. :,
ittees, to give information about the y
'oposed points. 1t would be tedious to &
We q report Of the sessions, la which
Othing was ssid about political rights
ne Commissioners came baek to their
'untry with the sad experience that the
1snish Government was more reluc-
Mt than ever to grant Cuba the least =
Irticle Of liberty. Whether to punish 6
e insolence Of the colonies or to throw =
ION the Concessionists the responsible
OF the new state OF things, Cubs was
,erburdened with heavy taXstions,
hich, having exasperated even those
ho wanted peace at any cost, have
ven the patriots encouragement =
axe eff the yoke Of the colonial Gov. c
nment.