Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-02-26
The Cuban Insurrcctton

The latest adyices received from Cuba
ascribe to the instruction in that Island
the most formidable proportions. From
every part of the country the government
continues to receive intelligence of upris-
ings and the gathering in force of lnSur-
gents. The greatest terror prevails, not
withstanding that Captain General Dnlce
still continues active measures Tor the s'Ip
preston of the rebellion. Dlstrnst and
suspicion rests upon almost every one, and
the order permitting citizens to carry arms
has been revoked and they are required
within the space of four days to deliver up
all arms i'll their possession to the govern
ment In the Cuzco mountains two thou-
sand men are said to be waiting the signal
for revolt. and in the district of Gallon
large body of insurgents have appeared
under the leadership Of Col. Melan, Mex
lean officer. In Trinidad. Matanzas, Nue.
yitas, Puerto Principe and everywhere the
revolt seems general. In the latter place
provisions are scarce and the Inhabitants
are threatened with famine. The princl-
pal American residents at Cienfuegos APP
piled for war vessel for their protection,
but they were answered that one could not
be sent them at present. The city OF
Havana is practically i'll q state Of siege,
but Captain General Dulce seems disin-
clined to declare 1t SO at present. The
greatest CONSERVATION prevails, and Cnbans
are applying daily to take refuge on board
the flag ship Comstock. Admiral Hotf has
consented to take American residents to
Key West All work on estates has ceased,
and plantation hands have fled panic
stricken. The negroes are now wandering
about the country without restraint.
From this fearful situation of affairs in
that productive island, of which we have
given the above synopsis from the latest ad-
vices received, much harm will result if the
revolution is not speedily checked. Po-
litically it is but a natural consequence Of
the troubles in the mother country, Spain.
But we, as Americans, are deeply inter-
ested in the restoration of order. The
Cubans may be right in their revolt or
they may be wrong-this does not concern
us greatIy-but it is much to our interest
thai order be soon restored. What ter
rible state of things is this to exist in a
country upon which we SO greatly depend
for those tropical products necessary to us
daily in our home consumption. The
price of sugar will be greatly affected, and
money will be lost and made, but, after all,
the people will suffer. With the produc
tive Cuban plantations inactive, the ne
groes roaming about the island at will and
in idleness, it is not surprising that sugar
will be subject to an enormous increase in
price.
But this should teach the people of this
country a greater and more wholesome
lesson than they have seemed inclined to
receive. Let them depend more upon
themselves for their sugar. Let them
work what sugar plantations they have to
their utmost capacity, and open new plan
tations. Too much dependence has here
tofore been placed upon the importation
of this article and too little attention paid
to its home production. Our country is
fully capacitated for the task, but her
people are disinclined to work in their
own interest. Let the Cuban instruction,
no matter how it may end, teach us val
liable lesson for the future.