The New York herald., 1870-04-12

Enthusiastic Cuban Meeting at Irving Hall
Spontaneous offerings to the Cause Of Free
dom-The Daughters Of the Queen
of the Antilles Rivalling the
Women of Carthage.

Once more have the fair daughters OF Cuba gly e,i
evidepce of the sincerity Of their sympathieS for
the noble cause OF the freedom Of their native
soil Not even the rage OF the sio, IN that
or revailed last evening could restrain rler ardOr
10 answer the appeal made on beb alf or their
struggling brethren The impulsive S,outheSn blood
that fows through their veins shoyie forvh, promL
nenty, not in nowery words, but Ia acts OF sacrifice
of seli-abnegation Jewels and trnkets even To ar
tcles much priced bv young ladies' OF all classes
indlscrmnaJely deposed upon the altar of free
dom, ana one and all came forward to offer tribute
to the Dag OF the republic OF Cuba. Itmust however
not be supposed that the ladies alone contributed 10
this noble cause. Cuba was well represented. and
that also by men. both colored and white, who were
eager In their mutual congratulations respecting the
anticipated succ0r that would accrue to those who
are shedding their blood upon the field of battle. At
eight O'Clock General Quesada. accompanied by
Colonel Varona, Chaplain M. French and O few
friends. assembled the platform and were greeted
with hearty cheers by the audience. After short
prelude performed by a military band the General
advanced and addressed the meeting. In his speech
he stated that since his arrival In this ciLY
he had constantly hoped to have an opportunity to
address the Cubans resident here, united. Business
connected with promises made 10 his brothers In
arms however, had hitherto prevented him rom
carrying out his project Could they for moment
doubt the love he bore towards them, or his devotion
of fortune, he could not command eloquence and
would therefore make no pretensiOns. Caumnious
reports mad been spread respecting him: and more more
for all such evils and that was forgiveness. More
over, such rrnes could not raise OBSTACLES In his
path when he was striving TO convert
SLAVERY INTO THE PARADISE OF LIBERTY
Soon he hoped TO return to his country, and felt
sure that he would not 20 alone. He was strong in
under the banner Of independence. II they would
be spared TO live their LOT would be freedom; II
nv,laOtn n nia ha alrun rfolt
Colonel VAkoNA next rose, and, In an eloquent
and telling speech, warmed up his hearers to the
guided rule OF SPAN he laid stress upon the neces-
sity Of providing means wherewlth TO complete the
ann OF the insurrecuon IN Cuba Especially
the wealthy Cubans should consider this fact.
The lower classes can be excused In many cases on
account OF ignorance but IN the presence OF educa-
non and wealth there was none. II support -
granted 1t be effective Several obstacles had
presented themselves IN this country to the recog
nltlon OF the Cubans as belgerents. such as
SUMNER, FISH AND THE ALABAMA CLAIMS.
and that was generally well known. II the Geces
sary means were forthcoming they would soon pos
island OF ashes and
ONE HUGE CEMETERY.
The cross had 10 be borne, and 1t were better that
each one should bear his share cheerully and con-
tribute his mite.
General QUEsADA now proposed that some mem
bers OF the audience should come forward, even
ladies. for IN the cause OF freedom they had shown
themselves fully equal to The men.
General ARls MENDI, OF Venezuela, presented him.
sell and addressed few words expressive OF the
nigh sentiments he entertained OF the cause OF CUBA
and his desire TO aid II by his personal efforts.
Senor Hosros, OF Porto Rico was the next
speaker, and his appeal was most effective. Ailud
ing to the struggle now being carried on in the
spanish colonies In the West Indies he argued how
useless such efforts must be unless effectively aided
by tine requisite means He also touched upon the
GOODNESS that had been shown TO the cause OF
freedom by those whose DUTY was to sacrifice their
all for the independence OF their NATIVE soil. Com
plants had been made respecting the inefficient
action OF the Junta but The reason was simply that
1t had not the necessary means at It's disposal. The
present situauOn was serious in the extreme and
he hoped tnat all would understand what was
wanted.
Chaplain N. FRENCH then rose and addressing the
meeting expressed the lervency OF The love he bore
for the Cuban canse. He hoped that the day was
not far distant when they would all meet in Liberty
Hall IN the city Of Havana
THE CAPITAL FREE CUBA.
The government OF the United States had many
difficulties to contend with; but he was sure that the
bers OF Congress and the American people in gen.
eral. The cause Of freedom would ever be blessed
eS M he ae war ann IN s raa en
IN spite OF the protection granted TO the South by
France England and other Powers, liberty had tri-
umphed. II Cuba can free herself singe-handed so
much tine more to her credit. AS to Spain she is
poor indeed, and 1t would be an act OF kindness
towards her on the part OF the United States
government to recognize the Cuban insurgents as
belligerents. Surely no nObler cause could exist
than tnat OF hberating sister country from the
yoke OF OPPRESSION ana as such he appealed TO all
those who could afford to lend. 1t would be money
well invested and sure to receive q good return.
d
and eloquent speech alluded to the sacrifices made
Dy The Roman women, and earnestly called upon
each one to aid the cause OF freedom, even were 1t
ever so trflng.
llere the speaker deposited his gold watch and
diamond ring upon the Cuban flag that covered The
table amidst thundering applause. When the cheer
ing ana ciapplng OF hands had somewhat subsidized
he added that he sincerely hoped that that diamond
Inignt be converted INTO powder that would prove
terrible in its effects the iustre of diamond
eXcelled every thing else In brightness.
General Quesada stepped forward and deposited
w wn n "a m m hnn a pann
That probably has never before been witnessed in
this city or land. Offerings came rushing IN from
all sides.
WATCHES, DIAMONDS AND TRINKETs
were hulr1ediy grasped In the enthusiasm OF tho
moment, and all were anxious TO be foremost TO
give positive evidence or their devotion TO the cause
OF their struggling brethren. laundering cheers
the air each successive gilt was handed up, and
great was the excitement caused In cautiously
catching the many objects that were handed from
the gallery. In TACT the allusiOn to the women of
sparta proved that not only were such acts to
he found among the anclents, but that noble
hearts still exist, and can be found IN our midst,
wnen called upon, TO assist 4 noble cause.
When the commotiOn mad cooled down General
country, remarking tnat being unable to express his
gratitude ne could only assure them all that he had
heart to love them and a sword 10 defend them.
Senor HOsroS remarked that Sucn enthusiasm
was better than nowlng words: 1t was effective
The events OF the evening would be handed down IN
history as phase in The history OF Cuba.
Inc meeting concluded by Chaplain NJ. French
handing his watch to General QueSada, remarklug
ana begging him to use IT with that intent, to be
returned wnen they met again in Liberty Hall in
Havana
It was difficult to form an exact idea Of the value
or the ARTICLES presented, but rough guess would
induce the estimate OF at least between S., 900 and
$l0,D00 having been collected last evening.