New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-03-10

The rumor that Cespedes, ex President
of the Cuban republic, had been murdered
lily party of soldiers belonging to the San
s2nintin battalion, received yesterday by
telegraph from Havana, caused much ex
leitement among Cubans in this city. The
news was generally discredited and believed
10 be Spanish canard circulated for some
sinister. object. Although the death of Ces-
tpedes would be much regretted by the
Cubans, it would not seriously affect the
cause of Cuban independence, as he has
ataken no leading part in the revolution now
progressing since his removal from the
presidency of the republic in 1873. Cespedes
at the time of bis reported death was about
fifty five years old, and was born in Bay
gamO, Cuba. His parents were wealthy. and
and he was endowed with liberal educa-
zion at the University Of Havana. Though
che heir of rich plantations, he adopted the
profession of the law, and was quite sue
Gsessful in its practice.
Early in life be became identified with
Those who opposed Spanish rule in his ma
Five island, and was imprisoned and ban
tshed to Europe because Of his active Oppo-
kiton to the Spanish government. A con-
epiracy was formed against the Spanards
~ 1867, and Seniors Aguilera, MAGIC and
Figueredo were made Jnnta Directira and
began to organize an instruction, On
0ctOber 9, 1868, Cespedes raised the revo-
tutionary flag on his own plantation, La
DE Magagno, and gathered about $50 men
ground him, attacked Yara on the following
clay, achieving victory over the Spaniardss
That was the first battle of the present
fevolution, and very soon it was fought
raised. With this force Cespedes at
Gacked BayamO on the fourteenth OF Oc-
sober, and was again victorious. Nearly
Che whole eastern portion of the island rose
in rebellion and the insurrection spread
$apidly to Camaguey and Los Villas. A
republican government was formed and
Cespedes was made President on the tenth
of April, 1869.
After his election he retired from active
&nilitary duty, and confined himself chiefly
20 the affairs Of administration. Shortly
dtfter Cespedes' appearance as revolution
Qry chief his large sugar plantation at Man
zanillO and all his estates were coufiscated
6y the Spanish government, and he was
thus impoverished by his devotion to the
cause he had espoused. In October of 1873
he was impeached aud was removed from
mis- office by the Cuban Camarna de Repre-
t,entantes Chamber of Representatives. for
what was thought to be usurpation of
power under the Cuban republic. His
brother, an officer in the revolutionary army,
was declared guilty of a military offense by
a military court, and was sentenced TO be
punished accordingly.
: President Cespedes interposcd in his
brothers behalf, and nullifed the action of
the court. For this he was removed, and
The Marquis of Santa Lucia was afterward
made President. Cespedes accepted the |
judgment passed upon him with good grace,
retired from office, and in proclamation to |
the Cubans, avowed his loyalty to the |
cause of Cusan independence, and prom
ised his sympaty and aid to it in every way
possible. TIE Cubans generally regard
him as patriot and brave man. and in the
event of their liberation from Spain, he
would fill most important place in the
history of the new nation.-Neav York
Times.