, 1873-11-19
THE CUBAN INEURnE0TI0N.

THE CUBAN 1NsURnE0r1oN.
Tho history Of tho insurreotion against Span
iph rule in Cuba throws much light upon the
acts Of tho Spanish authorities In connection
With the treatment Of tho CROW Of tho Virginius.
Tho white population OF tho island Of Cuba
may be considered composed Of two clasaos, tho
Pe.insulares. or Spanish immigrsnte, and
Croolos, or native Cubans. In 1868, the total
population numbered 1896, $50 porsons, Of whom
about one-hhlf woro slavos.
Tho causea which led to open inaurreotion In
the island were enumerated In tho profuncia-
11ento first issued. Oct. 10, 1868, by tho
insurgents at Yara, sma1l place In the
Province Of hlanzanillo. They asserted
that it was well known that Spain govornod
Cuba with An iron and blood-stained hand
that Cubans nere deprived OF political, civil and
rollgioun liberty that they wero not nllored to
hold public meetings, nor to writo upon affairs
Of State that they wore excluded from all share
in the Government, and we're plundered by the
Spanish officials that restrictions wozo plsced
upon public instruction that they wero ground
down With taxes which would ruin any COM
munity with less fruitful soil that they were
controlled and ovorawed by an immense stand
ing army and navy, whose cost they wero Obliged
to pay and that whito immigration waa dis
couragod and 4lavo importation aided. Find
Ing Ill appeals vain, and that thsir pro-
taatH only brought upon them the namo
and treatment Of rebela, they Issued this
proclamation to tho fsienda Of Cuba La1ra, set
ting forth their purposo to obtain independ-
ence from Spain, to gradually abolish slavery,
aud to establish universal suffrage. The proc
lamation MAS signed BY Carlos Manuel Cespedes,
a wealthy planter Of Manzanillo, aud by largo
number Of other patriots. Ten days later, CeB-
podes, who had been made Provisional Preai-
don't Of tho Cuban Republic, potitioued the
United States Government for recognition Of
lelIigareut rights. olafu,ing poeaagsion OF 80
leagues Of tho eaatcrn and coutral pnrts Of the
| island, having population OF ovor 10000 per-
Sons. and the citieH Of Dayamo aud Holguin.
At tho closo Of 1868, CoFpodes iagued prelini-
| nary proclamation OF emancipation, and during
this wholo time tho insurgents wore extending
thoir territory and fighting many email batt1oa
In tho vicinity Of Puerto Principe and Nuevitas.
| Tho possession Of these two clsiea waa very do
sirable to both parties, tho latter being seaport
connected with Puerto Principe By rail.
In February, 1860, Oapt.-Gen. Lersundi was
superseded by Gou. Dnlco, who Ind previously
made arrangements for the shipment to Cuba
Of all tho hard characters in Spain that could
be persuaded or forced to "volnnteor." Gen.
Dulce Immediately deolarea n.artiul law through
out tho iBlanl and Us steamer after steamer ar
| rived with tho volunteer roinforcomentn, more
activity wus manifested III the lold. A. aogieH
Of guerrilla encounters thon commenced, and
present time. Whio the insurgents have gen.
orally been forced to retreat with considerable
losy, tho Spanish troopa have been 80 conatantly
haraaaea that they hayo rarely bceu abla to OBJ
tain any decisive advantage, In spite Of their
superior numbers and arn.H. Tho insurgenta oi
tho Central Department. Of tho island elected
delegates to House OF Representatives which,
in tho carly part OF 1860. decroed tito absolute
emancipation Of all slaves In ttat department,
aud also sont al address to President Grant, ou
Ills Inauguration, asking recognition as bol!ig-
orentB. About this time, a heavy force Of ships.
of-war and troops succoodol In capturing La
auana}a tho outy port in the possession Of the
insurgents.
III April, representatives from Ill parts Of the
isl.ud mot ut Guaymaro md formed the t|rat
Legislative body Of tho Cuban Republic Cos
pudea wAs o!octed President for s1 yeara, ant
Qucsula was appointed donoral.in- Chief Of the
Cuban forces.
Tho spanLarslH now commenced tholr bsrbar
ous policy Of killing nj "patrot" Cubans, ant
destroying all tholr property. III tho carly par!
OF April, 1eG0, Count valluaacda Issued procla
nation from Iayamo, after It's capture, In which
no gn.o notice Of tho following outrageous do
oreos.
Every usl from tho aga at Is years upward, founs
boyoul Ito ll'ns Of hs farn shall bo shot, unless
Qualification for hls absoluo 10 ptoYcu.
E1Every hut t4t II fona yauait will bN burned by th
!, ! ttDu}s.
Every hA,nlot wteru while flag ia not Apsto.t, Il
toAen If d~rc for eaea, will ts rotlncad to asea
; Tu1tAnr deuroos NY nulee orl,ure,l thnt ever
faulty which cuuIu nut aoeount satisfactorily 10
thu abaonvo 1t a!y Ut !ta ,nals ,aolnbsra shoult
ls ba,Italla tram Thu laa,nt, anu t!vis propost
contacatel. Uutler tl,eao doul.,ea, h,,,lite1s u
| families waso rendered sle4tlutn u.,l wygp driy
! vi 10 various adjoining tul.pda 4. tu tic unltc