The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1872-04-13
Correspondence.
LETTERS FROM JUDGE CATION.
No. g.
Spani-h RuIe ia Cuba.-.rhe Volunteers.
The Murder OF the students.

At the best the Spanish government Ia cuo@
10 scarcely more than nominal, even in these
parts of the Island professedly loyal. The real
power is in the hands of the volunteers, VINO 10
fact dictate who shall be appointed theii nominal
rulers but who in truth must do their bidding.
Here, then, we have an irresponsible government,
with whom foreign nations cannot treat or hold
to accountability, even for their own misdeeds.
While they govern in fact, they have no recog-
nized head 10 answ er for them in the actual in
huence which they exert in governmental Affairs,
nor is there any formal mode in which their
views or their wishes can be expressed. Their
will is manifested by the turbulence alone which
gives the turbulent the principal sway, while tho
orderly and better disposed, which ara ind oed
to believe constitute by far the greatest aumSer,
exert no influence upon public affairs. 1t is easy
to Gee how corrupt, bad man, by psndering to
the preiudices and the passions of the wicked
among them, and especially by the iudieious use
of money, can erect for himself almost throne,
defraud the government at home, rob the
people here, and complacsntly smile . sort Of
defiance when King Cortes threaten to call
him to account. The consequence Of oil this 10,
that probably more venal set of public men
never cursed any country than those who now
prey upon this fair and beautiful land The
New York Ring is washed in nnossaoy 90
compared with theu, Individual fortunes we're
not made the spoil Of the oppre.sor there, and =
price was not set upon innocent blood. If Their.
suspicious have been excited that the judiciary
INN To la.l
did not preside IL al courts, nor could iudg-
ments at all times be purchased with price.
The volunteers are not native Cubans, or ore.
oles as they are here termed, but they are inni.
grants from Spain, generally Of the middle or
lower class, who have sought this country to
better their fortunes, which at home were no
doubt bad enough. A large majority of them
are mechanics and lsborers, who are moro or less
Industrious, and very many of them really good
and useful citizens under all ordinary oircum-
stances. Their exact number is not known 70
the outside world, but is varlously stated at
from forty to fifty thousand While all are or.
ganized and drill at irregular periods in small
bodies, most of them are at their daily labor.
but with their uniforms and arms close at hand.
ready to be resumed at = moments notice. A
limited number, however, are in constant sery.
ice, garrisoning the barracks and forts, of which
they have managed to get the possession. and
bodies of these may be seen marching through
the streets every morning at eight o'clock, with
line bands of music, as constant reminder ia
the people that they have living master, much
as L have seen the French troops marching
through the streets of Paris in the days of the
Second Empire. These are for the most Tart
young, active, we'll made men. but two inches
shorter than the average standard of Americans
or Englishnen, but rather more stockily built.
These volunteers decline to exp pose their lungs
to the m.,ri. of the rebel districts or their pre.
cious persons to the knives or clubs Of the rude
bandt, bat prefer to stay vt home and guard the
gates. The actual fighting must be done. if
done ut all, by the regulars sent over from
Spain, OF whom over seventy thousand have
come siHce the war com nenced, bat very few of
whom yet live. and hardly ono in a thousand
will ever their native country .psin.-
Still they come, for during my stay another
thousand arrived, and were disembsrked in a
violent r"inotorm, as observed. They remain
Ell but two days in the city to stretch themselves
and get of their sea.legs, when they were gal
lanty escorted out of the city on their wsv to
the battle field by their loving brothers, the
volunteers.
took pains to inform myself the best could,
and feel warranted in ssying that there 10 real.
~ no Loyalty 10 the Spanish Government among
the creole population in any part of Cubs. In
Havana and in all .le loyal districts necesu.rilv
they must constitute . considerable portion Of
the population. They sxecrste the present roy.
eminent all the more bitterly that thsy dare No,
express 1t except 20 those in whom they feel sure
they may repo'e conf dence. Hence il 10 that
III American Gan learn more in week Of the
feeling OF discomfort here than one OF another
nationsilty could in year, for they seem to
LOOK to our Government a. their hope and trust
But lew sympathise with the present rebellion.
or revelation II you chooss, for they lack conf.
dence III tho men At the head of it, and IA for
the ma.se', they pronounce them NOR. iru.r.,,
ana Worthless than any other population =, tho
Aslshd. In hhe they 10 not believe TIM, ~.
movement VIII succeed "A L, r.vo,uti,, .,r
10 lhsy oel'sv" that The ru'rli,,u vill .v.r
DC put down, but tn, his petty, cruel. rsl.s,.
less warfare will co.t,nu, an ,,d,fo;,
'''he. A"u 'his Is VIII, they most lamont.
1or Wh'le the rebellion MIL exist. Sp.ni.h ,r;d.
VIII s''rn TO entertain although, of parting with
It's even nom'naI sovereignty over tho I.,nd
while they believe Spain would h. ola, =.