The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1873-04-15
The Cuban FnSurreCtiOn,

The news from Cuba, taking it with
the grains of allowance necessary in
determining the value of intelligence
from that quarter, is decidedly favora-
bic to the insurgents. 1t is evident that
the arms and ammunition smuggled
through the blockade have been placed
where they would do most good
Moreover, by the successful raid upop
the seaport city of Mananillo, the in
surgents have secured booty far more
valuable than any cargo that has been
landed OF the coast since the insnrrec-
lion commenced. Manzanillo is a con-
siderable city, and was rich in supplies,
such as the insurgents needed. AS it
was sacked, if reports be true, and not
only the munitions Of war, which the
Spaniards had stored there, carried off,
but everything else that could be made
available, it must be inferred that the
patriots" are now better supplied than
at any previous period of the war.
Since the declaration Of the Spanish
Republic and the promulgation of the
act emancipating the slaves in Porto
Rico, there has been less active mani
festation of sympathy in the United
States with the cause of Cuban indie
pendence than there was while Amadeus
was uron the throne of Spain. There
is belief that the Republicans of Spain
were their own internal affairs in such
condition as to permit them to give at
tention to the grievances OF the Colo
nists, would concede to the Cuban in
surgents everything but the actual indie
pendence of the island; that emancipa
ton, representation, home government
by natives of the island, even a Colo
NAL Cortes or Legislature, with powe
TO make the laws and shape the admin
istration of the affairs of the island
would be cheerfully granted, and wit
these concessions it is thought the in
surgents ought to be satisfied.
But it must be remembered that tn
continued existence OF the Spanish Re
public is exceedingly problematc.-
Moreover, the declaration has bee
made in the Spanish Cortes by Repul
icans themselves, that nothing woul
be granted till armed resistance to til
authority Of Spain should cease. III
experience of government, howeve
under all home administrations, has ne
been of kind to inspire confidence
the Spaniard's sense of justice. IL
peridy of Spain in the treatment Of Il
native colonists is historical. Whe
therefore, to the general distrust
added the uncertainty of the contin
ance of the Republic of Spain, it is n
marvellous that the insurgents shou
continue the struggle for independence
Should the Carlists succeed in the
tempt TO overthrow the Republic, not
ing is more certain than the institute
of the severest measures against {
Cubans. They would have nothing
hope for from a reactionary Cover
ment, which would aim to admi1ist
Spanish affairs at home and in the Co
nies according to the traditions of
Bourbons.
Having decided to push the war
independence, the insurgents, taking
vantage ot>the civil strife in Spain,
which all the resources of country
involved, are assuming the ofens
and displaying an energy and activ
unknown since the spread of the ins
rection was arrested ago. If they CO
only seize and hold the seaport TOW
in the Eastern department and captur
few of the Spanish gunboats which X
up the blockade of the coast,they wo
presently receive that recognition
which they have sought in vain at
hands of the civilized Governments
~ the world.