The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-02
Q y B A..
The Virginius To Be Returned Gin
a Few Days"
Fish's Popularity with the
Volunteers.
NO TRACE OF MIR. RALPH KELLER

HAVANA Dec. q, 1874.
The great holiday Of Cuba has come and gone.
and the Catholic heart, with its inexhaustible
fountain OF emotion, has poured itself out over the
wonderful anniversary Of Christ All the angry ex-
citement that cherished nothing but resentful pas
sion gave way to CHEEKY innocence or behavior
that was in remarkable contradistnctlon to the
violent manifestations OF the prior week. Christ
mas was a day OF serene peace. Overhead the sky
was blue and cloudless and the atmosphere full
OF that delicious spirit which nature seems to
breathe in these tropical ATTITUDES
WITH AN UNREsTRAINED JoyoUsNEss.
1t was very different Christmas from what you
folks have in New York. There were no slush and
snow in the streets, and, as far IA the weather
went. there was nothing to indicate our conven-
tional notions Of the day ushered in with dying
sleet or snow and gloom above and around.
The natives had their balls and parties in the
evening, but otherwise the day was extremely
dull 1t was like New England Sabbath until
nigntfall, and then there was much joyous carry
ing on. The midnight masses were thronged,
ana for once there was some show OF male attend
ance in the churches
Now, it may be said, all excitement has ceased.
The virginius according to the newspapers, is to
be returned in a few days, and should she be sent
back to Havana there will, no doubt, be an extra
ordinary display Of delight. MIR. Fish will in time
have his likeness suspended in every barroom In
Havana, just as noticed Senator Sumner was
portrayed to the admiring gaze OF the darkies OF
Hayti, after his splendid defence of the black Re-
public. few years ago. In the United States Sem
ate. What Americans here think OF Mr.. Fish is
condensed in the expression OF one Of them, "He
Is just like that darned tiger that wouldn't tackle
the bull last Sunday week."
Mr.. FISH WILL REcEIvE SPLENDID OVATION
whenever he comes to Havana He might augment
his popularity with the Spaniards If he would only
induce President Grant TO order the American
fleet over from Key West
TO BOW THE STARS AND STRIPES
to the MORO Castle, and fire salute in Difference
to the red and yellow banner Of CASTLE.
told you in former letter OF the humiliation
Spaniard seemed to feel over the surrender Of the
Virgnus. The humiliation appears to me to be
all the other way, and no American with whom
have spoken, except one or two who were on the
wrong side OF the renee in the war for the Union,
has anything else but
ANATnEMA FOR THE CONDUCT OF HIS GOVERNMENT
Engiishman. in place OF being an Unfortunate
American, his merctless murder would have been
avenged by the whole power OF Great Britain; be-
cause that neither by deed nor intent could 1t be
demonstrated he was pirate. This Is what
Americans say. They ask, Is there to be no
dress for the crime OF Frys death9 Is there to be
You have so many Cubans in New York, and
there are so many here, and the struggle they are
making for independence has drawn upon so much
OF the attention OF the civilized world that con-
slider additional reference to them Will not be out
or place.
you HAVE HEARD OF THE CUBAN LABoRANTEs,
OF their plotting and intriguing ways, OF their
hatred OF Spaniards, &c. Let us LOOK at the mo-
tives these people have to plot and intrigue. The
number OF Spanish officials in the city OF Havana
is over 1000. The O1ices In the Custom House, in
Post Office, in everything where government shows
itself, are held by Spaniards. No native Of the
island. unless he exhibits degree OF loyalty to
hold any position OF trust or emolument. You
have heard the old saying that
CUBA Is MOTHER TO THE STANDARDS
and stepmother to her own children. Shut out
from the slightest recognition by the government
OF the island subject to that fearful order OF sus
Furnishes il with death or incarceration worse than
death, is 1t any wonder that the Cubans cOnsplreY
tolerate such q position lOngS Tue Cubans are
meek; They have much 10 complain lam Of This
right here than Americans.
THEY ARE CAKPET-BAGGERS
first and last and VINO that knows the infamous
governments lifted over the heads OF native South
erners by the pauper advenJurers of New England
Will question the reas0nableness OF these CubanS
to rebel Yet Cuba has never won genuine SYM
pathy from the states. There is no getting over
the fact that
MANY OF THE NATIVES ARE MISERABLE SET.
united effort they could have swept Spanish power
out OF TINS island long ago; but some Of them will
insist on going to New York and exhibiting their
diminutve patent leather covered feet, their per-
fumed black hair and ali that nonsense. There
are some noble spirits among them, and the quiet
heroism they have shown and the sense OF utter
se-abnegatlon entitie them to rank with the
greatest people in history who have struggled to
Mr.. Ralph Keller, whose loss is now the talk Of
the American colony here, was young man of ex-
ceent merit and OF some distinction In newspaper
circles. He contributed to Hnrper's Magazine and
ne took an engagement from the Tribune to come
down here and write up the situation. He landed
In this city about the end OF November
AND PROCEEDED TO SANTIAGO DE CUBA.
He was In the company OF person who said he
represented the Times, and who, with an American
passport In his pocket, thought 1t incumbent to
abuse America and Americans, and who took his
2EArgy carcass out OF this island at the Arst ex-
The next thing we heard was that steamer
arrived at ManzanilO from Santiago de Cuba carry
ing the effects Of NJ. Keller, but without the
to the American Vice Consul at Manzantllo, who
teleeraphed to Consul General Hall Of the facts.
Mr. HALL HAS BEEN INsTITuTING INQUIRIES
Keller can be found. Different theories have been
advanced to explain his disappearance. One Is
that ne might have taken . sudden fancy to
other that after sending his baggage on
The first conjecture was that he missed the
ashore Tor some purpose and the vessel sailed
away without him; but this will not answer, as
time enough has elapsed TO hear IRON MIN and no
word has come. lie was young man OF about n,
with quiet, easy style and genial righteousness
that made him extremely popular with all his ac-
quaintances. lie was native beheve, OF Massa-
chusetts, ana was gradually working his way up to
an honorable position IN the field beth or art and
literature. There Is great sorrow felt for him
here by the lew who had the pleasure OF his &C.