The Wilmington daily Republican., 1895-04-05
ENTHUSIASTIC CLBANS.
The Spirit Of War Runs High at
a Jacksonville Meeting.
ENTHUSIASTIC DEMONSTRATION.

Stirring Addresses by Gonzalo de ouesada,
Society, Ex-state Superintendent Russell.
and others-American Sympathy.
JACKSONVILLE, April 5.-The spirit of
war rose high here last night at the big
Cuban mass meeting in behalf of the
Cuban cause. The meeting was held in
the Metropolitan Light Infantry armory.
Cubans from far and wide were there, and
on the stage were number of prominent
citizens of Jacksonville, while in the body
OF the audience were many ladies. The
chief Cubans present were: Fernando
Figucrcdo of Tampa, DR.. Fermin Saldes
DomlngueZ and Gonzalo de Quesada of
New York and r. j. Martinez e. M. Del
gado and j, P. Cancio of Jacksonville.
John q. Christopher, who is one of the best
known business men in Florida, presided,
and said that they met in the cause of free
dom. He introduced Gonzalo de Quesada,
secretary Of the Cuban Revolutionary So
ciety Of New York
Quesuda lifted his audience into state
OF enthusiasm. 81 do not come here to
rehearso tho failure of the revolution of
1868, he said. ~ come to say that men
OF that revolution are in Cuba today with
rifles In their hands. The new revolution
has begun. 1t must end in the freedom of
the island or else the belligerents and
their children must go to the scaffod.
Spain already has 30, 600 soldiers in the
island. DO you think the crown would
send an army to overcome 150 bandits,
which is declared to be all that is at the
bottom Of the disturbance"
IF this struggle fails 1t will be the fault
OF you Americans, for why did you teach
us lessons of liberty2 If we do not succeed
yours will be the great crime of not hav-
Ing given succor. But Americans will not
fail us. From every hand comes aid. Dol
lars have been pouring in, and with these
dollars rifles and bullets have been bought
American public opinion is saying, Let
Cuba in her fight have fair play, We hold
the stakes"
The speaker paused here for moment
and then said impressively: Ladies' and
Gentlemen, I thank you for this reception;
1t may be the last time shall see you.
The fortunes of my country may take me
to the field. My death may meet there,
but shall take to my country messages
OF encouragement and love from our
friends in America
Demonstrations Of wild delight greeted
Quesada's last words
This enthusiasm was increased when
ex state Superintendent of Schools A. j.
Russell was introduced and after a few
preliminary words said: II am greatly i'm
pressed to sec So many women here to-
night. Let me tell you Cubans that when
Gnd and the women of the United States
nrc on your side hell itself cannot prevail
against you. But above all ask the bless
ing of Almighty God on your cause. You
should ask him to aid yon, and then you
ElpnlI n md hall
The band played Yankee Doodle" and
the meeting sent up cheer
Fernando Figuerdo explained the situa-
tion in these words: "The old mother
country, after trying to secure a loan from
England and France, has failed. She says
she will send 100000 men against Cuba,
but Cnbans know and you know that she
cannot get the money to send them She
has sent General Campos, her ablest
statesman, to Cuba and when that fails,
what them
A committee Of five appointed by the
chairman, and composed of Americans
prominent in Florida affairs, presented
resolutions, which We're adopted with great
enthusiasm, 'syInpathzing with the Gu
ban patriots in their desires and efforts to
free Cuba from foreign control and obtain
for the people Of that island the right of
self government, 50 much priced by u.s."
and that ''it is the duty Of all lovers of free
American institutions to express sympa-
thy with the oppressed people of Cuba aud
their desire to see them free
After further speeches, marked by much
enthusiasm, the meeting adjourned.