The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-10
THE FATE OF O'KELLY.
An Appeal to President Grant by the
CubanS of New York.
Why the Spaniards Would Silence
the Herald Commissioner.
THE PRESS ON THE ARREST.
An Impartial Journalist and Not
a Rebel or Spy.

Last evening the following communication was
transmitted to General Grant,
To His ExCELLENcY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED
STATEs:-
Intelligence has Just been received from Cuba, by
which it appears that Mr.. James O'Kelly the Com.
missioner delegated by the HERALD to gather facts
concerning the war pending on that island, has
been arrested by the Spanish authorities and is
now liable to trial by court martial. This news has
naturally produced q well-founded alarm among
the Cuban residents in this country. They under
stand the spirit that animates the Spaniards in
Cuba, and they fear for the LIE OF an American
citizen, who, imbued with the free spirit of this
great people, accepted the mission of studying and
investigating and communicating to the world,
through the medium OF the press, the facts con-
corning this war; which for four years has been
wAGED BY LIBERTY AGAINST DEsPoTIsM
The citizens of Cuba have had no share in the
mission entrusted to Mr.. OKely, but when a man
with brave heart. representing one Of the great
journals OF this city, undertook the painful and
dangerous task referred to- they could not but feel
a deep interest in his undertaking and in his
safety. They felt assured from the outset that the
result Of his Investigations would be favorable to
them; that the testimony OF an impartial witness
must and would show the moral and physical re-
sources OF the natives of the island which entitle
them to
BECOME INDEPENDENT OF THE SPANISH NATION.
That nation has never recognized their right to
interfere in their own affairs. 1t has ruled them
with rod Of iron for the most selfish purposes and
committed without hesitation the most fragrant
acts of injustice. All Improvement has thus been
shut out from people all the entitled to feel
erty because OF their proximity to this great Re-
public and their consequent superiority over their
Oppressors.
The world will then be able to learn and under
stand that in that island there is now organized
and established republican government with
constitution OF unsurpassed liberaty and freedom.
PROOF WILL BE OFFERED, OF A CONCLUSIVE CHAR
ACTER,
showing the existence OF armies that are struggling
against, and able to meet on equal terms, the best
and most experienced troops OF the Spanish gov
eminent; and, above all, and what is most impor-
tant the world will be satisfied that it is the deter
mnaion and unalterable resolve of Cuba to be free
and independent.
1t is evident that on all these subjects the inter-
ests Of Cuba and of Spain Numerically opposed
to each other, and that the Spanish authorities in
the island Will
OKELLY,
and to appropriate to themselves all the notes.
proofs and memoranda that he may have accumu-
lated; and, as the most expeditions and familiar
method that they are acquainted WITH applicable
to sucn cases. is the inniction OF summary capital
punishment, no one need wonder IT, under pre-.
tended forms of justice, employed for the mere
sake OF saving appearances, they should resort to
that course in the present instance.
NOR NEED ANY PERSON WONDER IF
the first intelligence that reaches should apprise
us that Mr.. O'Kelly has disappeared from this
world,
A VICTIM OF SPANISH CRUELTY AND STATE POLICY.
Under these urgent circumstances, permit us,
Mr.. President composing, as we do. the Directory
Committee of the 'Society OF the Friends OF Cuba-
to direct our feeble voice to you the Chief MagIs-
trate OF this great people, ana respectfully ask
your intervention in favor Of man now
in great peril, and whose only offence lies
in this, that, having been educated and accustomed
to the practice OF republican institutions he has
undertaken to disclose to the world, after personal
investigation ana upon positive proofs, the actual
condition Of Cuban affairs.
THE ADMINISTRATIONS WILL DO ITS DUTY.
We well know, Sir that Mr.. O'Key, being an
American citizen active in discharge OF duty of
an emnently American character, the government
to which he belongs needs no stimulus to urge it
to that course which the exigencies OF the case so
imperatively demand. or this we are fully con-
ylnced, and we cannet remain silent, even II our
appeal should be utterly useless and uncaled for.
But we desire, at least in advance,
TO GIVE SOME PROOF OF OUR GRATITUDE
to the man who, by the mere public exhibition OF
the simple truth will essentially contribute
promptly and eTectuay to stop this terrible efr,i-
sion of blood and to put end to the terrible dis.
tress and suffering that have accompanied the
struggles OF neghborng people on their way to
liberty.
J. G. d. DE vILLEGAS, President.
FRANCISCO ARTEAGA Treasurer,
HILARIO CISNEROS.
VICENTE MESTRE.
VICENTE BUENO.
JUAN JOSE DIAZ.
PEDRO NJ RIVERO Cecratarv