National Republican., 1875-07-28
cU1A-A eENERAL1zAr1oN OF FACTS.

Often, and Ia pointed manner, the atten-
ton of the people of the United States has
been directed to Cuba, but never was there
a time in Its history when it possessed
more solid interest than the present. In
late editorial we indicated the nature
of the current thought of the American
people concerning that island, and in this
article we propose discussion of its his
tory, and it will be recognized as apropos
to the times by the student of American
politics. The sentiment Of the American
people is in favor of liberty everywhere,
and for long years they have watched the
struggle of the Cuban patriots for indepen-
deace with sympathy constantly cumula-
tive in its character until now, when it
seems to demand direct and emphatic ex-
preston. The frequent reference, during
the immediate years of the past, to Cuban
affairs has familiarized the general reader
with Cuban history, but he will recur to it
again with pleasure, even to some of its
most ancient dates. The territory of the
Island OF Cuba is just about the size of the
State of New York, and is, without doubt
the richest piece of earth on the
globe. 1t was the first land of magnitude
discovered by Columbus. Diego, son
of Columbus, made the first European set.
tement on the island, Baracon, in 1911,
and by 1858 every Indian native Of the
Island had either been killed or driven
from it by the cruelty and barbarism Of
Spanish rule. With varying fortunes it
became, toward the close of the eighteenth
century, conspicuous feature in the com.
mercial world. 1t was not until after the
cession of Florida, in 1920, that the United
States felt any decided interest in the future
of the island, and by 1922 both the English
and French nations had been officially in
formed that the United States would never
consent to any arrangement through which
Cuba might fall into either Of their hands.
The first step taken by our Government to
gain possession Of Cuba was by President
Polk, who made an offer to Spain of $780,
600, 900 for it, proposition which was de-
cidedly declined. In 1849 Lopez, with a
few followers, succeeded, by representing
the Creole population as ready for revolt
and annexation, in recruiting in the United
States small body of men for the purpose
ofmaking q military descent on the island.
This was defeated, but in 1851 Lopez got
away from New Orleans with some five
hundred men. He made no impression
and was captured and shot August 16 of
that year. In the following year President
Fillmore made his administration popular
by refusing to join in treaty with France
and Great Britain guaranteeing to Spain
possession of Cuba. During the admins
trstion of President Pierce the United
States vessel Black Warrior was fired upon
by Spanish msn-of-war, which act came
near opening hostilities. In 1854 our Minis.
tiers at London, Paris and Madrid, Messrs.
Buchanan, Mason and Soule, held confer
ence at Ostend and AK Ia Chspelle, and made
the Ostend Manifesto" which set forth
the fact that Cuba ought to become part
of the territory OF the United States, and it
was also strongly argued at that time that
we ought to possess ourselves Of it by force,
in certain contingencies. Mr.. SlidslL
introduced bill into the Senate, which he
afterwards withdrew, to place $50, ,oO0, 600
at the disposal of the President TO help in
the acquisition of the island. In 1868 q
revolution for independence was organized
in Cuba, and from that day to this period
of seven years, the authority of Spain has
not been sufficient to quell II. It was in
augurated by the "Juuta of Laborers in
an address to the people, of which the fol-
lowing Is an important extract:
their native land, aspire TO the hope of seeing
Cuba happy and prosperous by virtue Of its
own power, and demand the inyiolabiIitys Of
individuals, their homes, their families and
the fruits Of their labor, which Il will have
guaranteed by the liberty Of conscience, of
speech, Of the press, by peaceful meetings in