New-York tribune., 1869-03-05
THE WEST INDIES.
THE REVOLUTION IN CUBA
AUTONOMY.
fgpnu or-p IyyN fORRFCpONDENT

und respectable party both Of Spain ana Cupa' Au
tonomy has been standard doctrine Inc ihS'l"r
press has discussed tperhaps more thanlt might "eio
not Slavery, Church, territorial integrity hdePeh-
denee aud other genial topics banlsied out Oh aigu-
nent by decree Whatcyerremains of Cubanlsm III the
press of Havana has mostly gone into the Autonomy
as the one liberal idea permitted by that when one
of tbe papers called DucihcadOra-a sort OF cohIec-
t,onerv process for embaming dead liberties Of the
leading or popular Spanish papers not one peadS ior
tins doctrine which is sure sign that the number
of rcnu,ne liberals among the Spaniards of the isle
il much inferior to the Bourbonized army OF inc
place.hunting interest The Spanish barnacle mas
blood and draws blood, and the bamacie party VIII
not surrender the mildest form OF selgoVerhneht 10
the island without strenuous compuslon' Inc ldea'
however has taken new emphasis from the IlSlngs
in the districts of Villa Clara and Cienfuegos, and
perhaps Trinidad, where thousands of people demand
il with arms i'm hand. The Government papers pro-
fess for mysterious reasons, not to believe their SIN
certy but it is nevertheless true that If Spain could
ever possess the genus of doing anything at once
would settle the Cuban question by doing two things
right away-frst. grant the autonomy second,
abolish Slavery The autonomy which Is demanded
for Cuba is based upon the programme of the Repub
lcans of Spain 1t will serve to quote it here in the
eloquent words of CASTELAR, of the best in mind
and heart of the Peninsuar leaders,
First Immediate abolition OF Slavery so that we can
present ourselves Congress Of the peoples with the
trophies Of broken chains.
Second. Autonomy of the islands of Puerto-RicO and
Cuba which shall have their own Parliament, admins
traton and bond Of nationally uniting them
70 Spain as Canada united England, that founding
the liberty States shall conserve the integrity OF
the national territory. We wish that the islands OF Cuba
and Puerto Rico may be sisters ana do not WISH tat
they may be transatlantic Polands.
al HaF1FfV aYi1If
the capital fact of the century is the fact OF the ndepend
ence pointed the heroes Of its naonates by the
heroes Of our own independence.
Fourth: Recognition that the republican form Of gov
ernment the proper to America. Remuneration OF
all the stupid dreams Uf mouarchical restorauousts.
FJnh Immediate recognition Of AL the spanislrAmer-
lean countries whose independence may not have re-
cOgnized already and friendly arrangement OF all our
difficulties with those people among wbom as Spanards,
have country and hearth and who as spaniards,
brothers, feeling the warmth Of our blood in their
veins, and giving form to their thought with our sono-
tongue.
Sirth Special and cordial recognition Of the Mexican
Republic, whose chief the model Of the civil magis
tae the savior of the democracy ana the severe judge
who has made the resurrection Of monarchy in America
impossible.
Serenth: Peace at once with the republics OF the Pa
Chc
Eighth: Moral support in the future TO federation Of
Spanish republics.
MINI: Constant aspiration for political interior
Democratic for harmony between institutions and
those OF America to represent the interests OF Its peo
PIES to be their voice the councils Of Europe in which
oce Spain will have the noblest ministry Of modern his
tory-that of beng, through moral relations mediator
between the old world and the new
No one expected that this idealist's programme
would be carried out by the business firm carrying
on the trade of Provisional Government at Madrid,
and that good morals and high sense would put into
the old rogues work Of managing provinces. But it
is more practical and safe than any leading notion
the providers have attempted. We are certain that
it will require genius of morals and sense to effect
uay save Cuba and tlOoks if the failure of Cas-
tellar's programme the loss of the island. One
word as to part Of this programme. If the Spanish
Republicans inspired by the Mexican experiment
it would be well for them to study their ground and
their men, and patiently digest history. They can
make sure whether the Republic is an idea or only
sentiment and scarce that, with the great mass Of
SpaniaIds who neither read nor write They can
weigh Prim's words that You cannot mako re-
public without republicans" and set to work making
republicans by free schools. But Mexico will teach
them sobery that the worst conceivable despOtsm is
chronic war kept up by few who have ideas at the
expense of millions they never instruct Cuba will
be another instance in point if she is to win her in
dependence and keep it in any sinister way, if her
liberty and reform depend mainly upon the slave
holder. Fortunately for her, some of her aDest
think, the United States is not far Off.
The autonomy here desired for Cuba is quite in ac
cord with the ideas of the Spanish republicans
though believe one of the loyal papers attempts
giving the name with some qualifications TO a plan
of provincialism which offers Cuba the rights of An
dalusa and Catalufa, minus some important differ
ences. The Canadian selfgOyeTnment represents
the general demand of those who favor the terrific
iol inf of Snain un1pr rpnuhlicau 1Orms
putting quite out of the question those who and
might still be autOnOmsts could they trust to Spanish
government and be assured, TO quote the words Of
one of the shrewdes of the insurgent leaders, that
"the liberties of Cuba would be safe from the fucu
ations of Spanish politics" That is not believed pos
sible under any pennsular disposition Of island
affairs But 1t is important to know the features
and substance of the proposed reform and present
you here the draft of a project to that end, which
lately attracted interest. 1t is not the wisest
safest which might be presented under head of au-
tonomy yet it shows the progressive working Of the
Cuban mind even upon the Conservative side of
affairs.
l. An Island Assembly, chosen by suffrage, in
90 be determined by vote
II This Assembly 10 elect its President and make gen
eral laws any one Of which dsapproved by Spain shall
lie over Que year. then II insisted upon shall be enacted
Ill Legislation 10 aairs special and particular OF
the isle shall be executed Immediately following the ap
probation Of the Governor General II Inc disapproves,
1t win lie six months and then so into effect the
Assembly decide
~ The Assembly exclusively will make the budget OF
tho island excepting that Of the national expense which
quota shall be fixed by the general in accord
with that Of Cubs. .-..-. .
" Provision that the empoymants OF the island gov
ernments shall be filed nomination Of the Governor.
the delegates except as regard the forces Of war and