The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-25
NUESTRA NAL MADRE REPUBLICA.
Defenders of the Cause
i'm Council.
Enthusiasm Unbounded Over the Herald,
0'Kelly and the Insurgents.
La Lbertad es Uno de Los Mas Pre-
oiosos Dones Que Los Cielos
Dieron a Los Hombres
KEY WEST. Fla. March Is. 1873.

KEY WEST, Fla, March IS, 1873.
The people OF the north interested in the success
OF SCUBA Libre" are not perhaps generally aware
| that we have 'Cuba Libre" at our own doors.
Yet upon this key, "Cay0 Hues0," named by the
Spanish discoverers. meaning clone Islandn cor
rupted through that Independent principle OF
thought characteristic OF the Anglo Saxon race
euphoniousy yet regardless OF meaning, into Key
West, there is an active busy colony Industrious
ly working out the principle Of self govern
ment and demonstrating in their general
quiet and order the possession of those very
qualities needed in the establishment of republic
This colony is communistic in the sense Of having
its own internal administration and being bound
together In material sense by its regular contri-
buttons to the cause OF Cuban liberty, for which it
largely works, ana in its general social relations is
genuine "Quarter LATIN to the American resi-
dent.
STRENGTH OF THE COLONY.
In hunting up statistics with regard to the colony
l find great discrepancy between the American
estimate Of its number and that OF other anthOri-
ties who ought to know. Thus the best Cuban
authority could reach places it at $780, including
men, women and children. This the Spanish Consul
advances to 1000, while in common conversation
1t is varioualy placed at from three thousand to
thrty-fve hundred. The near agreement of the
Spanish Consul and the Cuban agent fixes the per-
manent colony at, l think, about two thousand
and under, while the constant movement to and fro
explains the popular exaggeration OF the strength
or the colony. 1t Is worth while to note that
In returning to Cuba from here all Cubans have to
that he has been astonshed at the number Cubans
whose ancestors came from the same province in
any reectoa upon OG sne dubs1s n fn
thus seeking Spanish protection as, with the mob
spirit prevailing among the Spanish volunteers,
while their own government Is unrecOgn ized some
protection Is necessary. Many an Irishman, feel
ing the wrongs of his country and hating the au-
thority OF England, has been glad to seek the smell
ter of its strong arm, which reaches across the
globe, for the security Of British subjects Perhaps
our own O'Kelly, in the decadence Of American Tor
eign influence since the days OF Marcy ana
Monroe Monroe, may find in that principle Of once
1T Se fesf he aSs
realm OF bathos, and walk as quietly about the
streets OF Havana upon his return from the insur-
fleet at Key West.
COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS.
In my census Of the Cuban colony here made
necessarily hurriedly find
One drug store, with three practical druggists.
One physician, proprietor OF the drug store, hav-
ing fair American practice.
Twelve grocery stores.
Four BARRIERS shops-an evidence Of cleanliness
that am afraid Is only circumstanJial or presump
tive
Two tailors' establishments.
Three Butchers shops.
six boarding houses, places where, in the ian.
guage OF Jim BludsU, they merely wraste their
hash" unfortunately, on this Key, it is not much
else), but do not sleep.
have an invitation to visit and have e nv teUess
added to the gallery Of portraits OF distinguished
men. II O'Kelly comes home this way expect to
hear them crying out his likeness in the Cuban
A cold Northern nature feels somewhat surprised
at the enthusiasm and excitement OF these hot
cerninS S 6 SSe u' s' arc ose'' anxious con-
resume the catalogue
The theatre, used also as u school house in the
day time, and where they have fairs and hops.
These fairs are held for the cause, and am told BY
the Caban agent one last year netted 49, go. The
although the Cubans themselves are not strict in
upon request to Fathers AiIard and La Rogue, who
are the Catholic pastors here, to open catecnism
class. There is only one teacher, and English Is
The cooperative principle is represented by
the Pasriotlc association, the Charitable Assocf
fhe most interesting feature of the whole colony
has yet to be mentioned
ITS LITERARY ESTABLISHMENT.
II mas newspaper, Et Repuottcdno l send you
copy and an extra. dt issues extras), and will If
1t comes out beIore'the mail Closes send you its
latest issue, which will be to-day. 1t is owned,
edited, '.set up" printed and published by one
Individual hi, have had the pleasure Of an Intro
lishment, having been engaged elsewhere. He Is
both in appearance and manner representative
varied employment sort OF safety valve which
enables him to keep In regular working order.
There are but two barro0ms here kept by
Cubans, both belonging to the one man and at
tached TO restaurants The Cubans do not seem |
to be q drinking people far as any outward evi.
dence is apparent but am informed that they are
large consumers OF gin and have much increased |
that Importation by their presence here. They |
are rarely seen drunk on the streets, however and
furnish no criminal statistics" the principal |
occupation OF the colony is the manufacture of |
cigars, in which there " q very large trade.
TOBACCO MANUFACTURE.
some idea OF the Industrial value OF the colony |
In this respect may be gathered from the following
figures showing the weight OF tobacco and the |
duties paid thereupon since April, 1869, about |
which time the manufacture OF cigars became an |
item OF Importance to Key West and Cuban i'm
migration set steadily in. This tobacco is worked
up principally in two factories, although there are
Eve here-three controlled by Cubans, one by q |
Spaniard and one by German. The German |
house is much the largest. There is also consdera-
bic done in the way OF manufacture in a small way
by parties who werk one or two hands, The sub
joined table was furnished me by Collector Vance.
Just going ont TO be succeeded by Collector Hamil.
ton. formerly member OF Congress from this
State, now here:-
TABLE SHOWING THE WEIGHT OF TOBACCO IMPORTED
INTO HAVANA SINCE APRIL, 1869, AND THE |